The Beacon of St. Clair Township June 2023 Page 10
St. George’s Square parkette now a historical reality
The new St. George’s Square on Hill Street in Corunna is now a reality. Its dedication celebration, held on May 23, attracted a huge crowd, including about 450 children com- prised of students from Sir John Moore Community School, Col. Cameron Public School, and St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and children from the Chippewa Daycare who treat- ed the crowd to Oh, Canada sung in Ojibwa.
The event began with the stately parade of the Royal Canadian Legion Leslie Sutherland Corunna Branch 447 Col-
our Guard. Students filled the air with song and St. Clair Fire Department Chaplain Kevin McGlade blessed the site with a light-hearted presentation that underscored the special nature of the celebration. Dignitaries in attendance included: Lambton County Warden Kevin Mar- riott, MPP Bob Bailey, Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Chris Plain, and St. Clair Township Jeff Agar .
Below: School students from Corunna area schools watch as the St. George’s Square dedication gets underway. They provided fantastic music for the occasion and participated in an event that will be remembered for generations to come.
Above: Canada
200 organizer
and emcee Tracy Kingston reveals the handmade quilt made by the students of Sir John Moore school.
Centre: Parade of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 447 Colour Guard starts the cele- bration.
Photos by Bonnie Stevenson
The Beacon of St. Clair Township June 2023 Page 11
Two new storyboards tell the tale of St. George’s Square site
Two new heritage storyboards were unveiled during the May 23 celebration. The talented and knowledgea- ble volunteers of Heritage St. Clair developed them to tell the full story of the St. George’s Square site.
The story didn’t end with the land’s brief moment as Canada’s capital. It was also the site of the Erie and Huron Railway Corunna station. Through historical im- ages and photographs, and well-researched copy, visi- tors to the new St. George’s Square site will find out why the new parkette is such an important place.
Above Left: The St. George’s Square storyboard is unveiled by two men who saw the original stone cairn unveiled in 1987. Charles S. Nisbet, left, was the reeve (mayor) of Moore Township from 1986 to 1992. He and his wife, Isobel, have been residents of Corunna all of their married life and currently live at
Thompson Gardens. Right: Jeff Hands witnessed the unveiling of the original stone cairn at the age of 13 after winning a Town Crier contest.
Above right: Mayor Jeff Agar lifts the cover off of the Erie and Huron Railway story board assisted by Anne Van Dyk, who is researching the Beresford side of her family.
Congratulations to the Corunna200 Committee and all of the businesses, organizations, and volun- teers that helped to make this event such a suc- cess. Once again, this event has shown Corunna to be an all-for-one-and-one-for-all kind of community!
B.Stevenson photos
Do you have a question an idea or need info?
EMAIL: corunna200@gmail.com
PHONE: 519-312-3747
WEBSITE:www.corunna2023.com SOCIAL MEDIA: Find us on
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Corunna 200
c/o St. Clair Township Finance
Department 1155 Emily St., Mooretown, ON,
NON 1M0
CORRESPONDENCE: Corunna 200
4014 Kimball Rd. Corunna, ON, NON 1G0
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Annual Moore Museum Victorian Tea pleases patrons’ palates
The annual Victorian Tea at the Moore Museum is always a crowd pleaser, offering several flavours of warm scones served up with real butter and fruit preserves, and warm beverages served in delicate china cups. Muse- um volunteers make the event happen, working at close quarters in the heat of the 1860s era Reilley Cottage kitchen.
Left: Cutting generous wedges of delectable homemade scones and plating them for service at the prep table are, from left: Marg Griffith, Suzanne Hodgins, and Lynda Richardson. Right: The Garva sisters, Olivia, 18, Emily, 14, and Leah, 11, were kept busy in their role as serving staff. B. Stevenson photos
Sombra Museum
and Moore Agricultural Society receive
grants from
The Foundation
The Judith and Alix Foundation (The Foundation) has advanced grants to Sombra Museum and the Moore Agricultural Society.
Sombra Museum will receive funds for the restoration of the Abraham Smith log cabin and the installation of interpretive signage.
The Moore Agricultural Society will receive funds to make accessi-
bility upgrades to the Multipurpose Building at the Brigden Fairgrounds.
The Foundation issues grants to help with worthy community pro- jects. Over its 30 year history, the Judith & Alix Foundation has ad- vanced over $6 million to over 50 community projects like the pur- chase of portable bleachers for the Lambton Fairs Association.
