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VILLAGE A BACKDROP FOR THREE DECADES OF ROURKE REUNIONS
On Aug. 2, the family of Jack and Elinor Rourke celebrated their most recent family reunion in Bayfield. The occasion prompted several members of the family to reflect on gatherings past and these thoughts were compiled by Maureen Rourke-Lee, with encouragement by her Uncle John Rourke, who in turn submitted this item to the Bayfield Breeze.
The Rourke Clan as they appeared at their most recent reunion taken Aug. 2 at the Bayfield Town Hall. (Photo courtesy Petrophoto.ca) Click image to view large version.
Family reunions come in all shapes and sizes – whether it’s a picnic at a local park, a clambake by the sea, dinner at a restaurant or a relative’s house. The location doesn’t matter – rather, it’s the people who are there with you that matter. But holding such an event in a beautiful setting like Bayfield has special meaning to the Rourke clan; we’ve been lucky enough to have Bayfield as our “backdrop” for many reunions over the years.
In fact, for five generations the Rourke family has been coming to Bayfield – first as a summer vacation spot for a young family with six children in the ‘30s, and more recently as the location for our much larger family reunions.
It began in the late 1930s and early 1940s when Elinor and Jack Rourke’s young family from London would, on occasion, catch a ride on 'Spinny' Irwin’s delivery truck making its way to Bayfield. A few years later in 1946, the new family car brought them to their summer destination. The six Rourke children (Terry, Pat, Janet, Brian, John and Charles) would spend their days playing around Bayfield, swimming in Lake Huron, and working at odd jobs during their teen years, at such places as, Hovey’s General Store and Corey’s Soda Bar.
Elinor and Jack’s family continued to come to Bayfield for many years. As the six children grew up, married and moved away, the visits to the village became less frequent. During the late 1960s and 70s, family reunions would take place in Vermont, where Jack, Elinor, Janet and Pat owned cottages on Lake Champlain. By the 1980s the family had grown to include 21 grandchildren, who were living in cities around the world.
After Vermont, Port Stanley was the location for a few more reunions and finally in the mid-1980s, the Rourkes once again returned – en masse – to Bayfield.
Regardless of where we lived, we would try to make our way to the reunions. They were, and continue to be, important to us. Jack and Elinor made sure we all understood why. They instilled in their six children the importance and love of family, and to keep close ties with the family unit. Their children, in turn, continued to ensure the grandchildren learned many of the same lessons, appreciated and supported one another.
Reunions, as we have discovered over the years, are a way of keeping all the generations connected and are a tribute to our parents.
Jack and Elinor have passed many years ago, but it’s a true testament to them that their family members, now located across North America, and on a few occasions, around the globe, gather together for the reunion. Over the years, we’ve included descendants of Elinor’s sisters’ families, including the Kennedy, Treleaven and Townsend families.
This photo is of the children of Jack and Elinor Rourke, along with two Kennedy cousins, taken in the late 1940s. According to John Rourke, “In those days we arrived in Bayfield the same day school in London finished and return home the day before school started - all brown as berries.” (Submitted photo) |
Reunions, as we have discovered over the years, are a way of keeping all the generations connected and are a tribute to our parents.
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Adding more relatives to the mix provides for some amusing moments. Trying to master the “art” of knowing how each relative is related to you is an interesting challenge. They may be a cousin – but what kind of cousin? Were they your first cousin once removed or a second cousin? In the end, it mattered not, you were family and we were glad you were there.
But the toughest challenge can be for the members who have joined the Rourke family through marriage or relationships. They now call themselves “married-ins”, and are known to laugh at typical Rourke traits, like “punctuality problems” and the genetically acquired “shiny head” look. Very quickly, they, too, blend right in with the rest of us, and join in the three-legged races, water balloon tosses and musical chairs. This summer, we added a “Rourke’s Got Talent” show. The fabulous acts included: dancing by the “Rourkettes”; a magnificent version of Andrea Bocelli/Celine Dion’s “The Prayer", with Rob and Kathleen; an Irish camp song; and Karley and Taylor’s rendition of, “The Way I Am”, by Ingrid Michaelson.
They quickly learn that family is very important to all of us -- it’s a sense of comfort.
And as the years pass, we have all grown to appreciate that we come from a large family. Our reunions have given us an opportunity to remember old times and create new memories. For the past three decades, we have gathered in the village, to catch-up with each other, admire our growing families, chuckle at the antics of ‘crazy’ uncles and adorable grandchildren, and take in the most beautiful sunsets in Canada, arm-in-arm, with loved ones. We hope that our children will continue the tradition of getting together with relatives – close and extended – in the years to come.
Family makes us who we are today. And for the few short days that we are in Bayfield, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to have that. We get together to celebrate our family – what Jack and Elinor started so many years ago in Bayfield, because for the Rourke clan – it’s like coming home.
BAYFIELD AND CLINTON GUIDING TO LAUNCH CENTENARY CALENDAR
In May of this year, the girls and Guiders of Bayfield and Clinton Guiding rented heritage uniforms from the Girl Guides of Canada’s Ottawa archives. These uniforms depict Guiding from 1910 to present day. With girls and Guiders as models, photographs were taken at various historic and heritage sites in the Bayfield and Clinton areas. From there Guiders learned new skills in computer design to create a beautiful calendar filled with the spirit of Guiding over the last 100 years.
Kildonan House Bed and Breakfast was one of the locations used in the photo shoot for Bayfield and Clinton Guiding’s Centenary Celebration Calendar 1910-2010. Here, are some of the girls from Clinton Guiding as they appear in the month of June.
This “Centenary Celebration Calendar 1910-2010” has received the stamp of approval from Marnie Cumming, the provincial commissioner, “Wow! What an amazing product you have created! Everyone at the office was amazed by it including Mary Porto, our Public Awareness Coordinator.”
Two-thousand copies have been printed for sale and the calendar will be unveiled at a launch party on Sept. 21. All in the community are welcome to attend the unveiling. The event will be held in Bayfield at Trinity Anglican Church, 10 Keith Cres., starting at 7 p.m.
The calendars will sell for $10 each. The membership of Clinton and Bayfield units are not the only girls selling the calendar but they will receive a portion of the funds from every calendar sold, in recognition of their efforts behind this project. Calendars will be sold by units as far north as Meaford, as far south as St. Mary’s and as far east as Listowel.
The photos for the calendar were shot on location at historical and heritage sites in both Clinton and Bayfield including: Mara St. Walkway, Pioneer Park and Beach, Bayfield Town Hall, Clan Gregor Square, Kildonan House Bed and Breakfast, Clinton Town Hall and the School Car on Wheels. Historical facts about Guiding’s 100 years are placed amongst the images.
This calendar launch is just one of the many exciting events planned in honor of the 100th anniversary of Girl Guides of Canada. It will be a year not to be missed.
Bayfield Guiding has openings for Sparks, aged 5-6 years; Brownies, aged 7-8 years; Guides age 9-12 years; and Pathfinders, aged 12-15 years.
The groups meet, with the exception of the Pathfinders, on Tuesday afternoons from 4:45 -6:30 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church, 10 Keith Cres., Bayfield. They meet from mid-September to early June.
The Pathfinders will meet twice monthly at the Bayfield Village Inn on alternate Wednesdays from 6:30-9 p.m.
It is never too late to join the fun. For more information please phone Melody Falconer-Pounder at 519-565-2443 or email her at bvi@tcc.on.ca
The Mara St. Walkway in Bayfield was the perfect location for the members of Bayfield Guiding to show off the vintage uniforms rented from the Girl Guides of Canada Archives in Ottawa. The end result of this photo shoot can be seen in the calendar for the month of May. Click image to view larger version.
This “Centenary Celebration Calendar 1910-2010” has received the stamp of approval from Marnie Cumming, the provincial commissioner, “Wow! What an amazing product you have created! Everyone at the office was amazed by it including Mary Porto, our Public Awareness Coordinator.”
Celebrating Canada Day is the calendar's theme for the month of July. Posing on the stairs at Pioneer Park were Bayfield Girl Guides, Brayden Knox, Courtney Heimrich and Sheridyn Van Altena.
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WALKING TOWARD A CURE
Mother and daughter, Karen and Kate Greaves found the walk up Old River Road invigorating. See photo story below.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
The 153rd Bayfield Fall Fair is now just a memory, but a lot of thought went into the event – it doesn’t just appear on the Thursday and depart on the Sunday on the third weekend every August. It would not be possible without all the hours that the volunteers give and the financial support provided by corporate sponsors.
A meeting will be held on Sept. 22 at St. Andrew’s United Church to analyze the 153rd event to determine what went well and what areas need to be improved upon. New ideas will also be compiled to be discussed at the October meeting.
Anyone who has not received their prize money from the most recent fair can do so at the September meeting as well. These meetings are open to anyone who has an interest.
For more information please contact Bayfield Agricultural Society President, Don Brodie, at 519 263-2404.
FILM SOCIETY
The Stone of Destiny is the second of four films brought to the village for the fall series by The Bayfield Film Society. It will be shown at the Bayfield Town Hall on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
The other theatrical offerings for the season are La Vie En Rose, Nov. 12; and Paschendale, Dec. 10.
Individual show tickets may be purchased at the door for $10 each.
For ticket inquiries please contact Lynne Gillians at 519 565-5884 or email lynnegillians@hotmail.com
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Grahame Beakhust, will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Bayfield Horticultural Society on Sept. 21.
Beakhust, is the host of The Guerilla Gardener, a television gardening program that boasts 130 episodes profiling gardens in Canada, the United States and New Zealand.
Another highlight of the evening will be the society’s annual fall plant exchange. Those who attend are asked to bring a favorite plant to exchange.
The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.
CHAMBER NEWS
There is just a little over two months until villagers and visitors will be marking Christmas in Bayfield. The Christmas in Bayfield Committee for the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) recently held their first planning meeting for the 2009 holiday season.
This very popular celebration will be held Nov. 13-15. The committee would like to start the season by thanking those businesses who, through Platinum Membership in the chamber, are the event’s official sponsors. Without their ongoing support it would be very difficult for the chamber to help produce and promote such a memorable and prosperous weekend year after year.
The BACC’s Platinum Member Sponsors include: Bayfield General Store, Brandon's Hardware, Den's Country Corner Antiques/Inspirations, Harry's Bar & Restaurant, Marten Arts Gallery, Outside Projects, Pineridge Country House, P'lovers Bayfield, Rainbow Bridge IT Outfitters, RPL Properties, The Turner Gallery, The Village Bookshop and Virtual High School.
Christmas in Bayfield will commence on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. with the annual tree lighting in Clan Gregor Square followed on Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Santa Claus Parade. A new addition to the weekend will be a Wine and Cheese Party and Silent Auction on the Saturday evening. Festive music on Main Street will be a featured highlight of Sunday events.
BRIDGE CLUB
Looking for an evening of cards?
The Wednesday Evening Bridge Club will meet next on Sept. 16 at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building. The cards will be dealt. at 7 p.m. All are welcome to join in the fun.
EUCHRE CLUB
As the leaves turn color, thoughts return to winter pastimes. With this in mind, the Bayfield Euchre Club will reconvene on Sept. 23. The club meets on alternate Wednesdays at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building at 7:30 p.m.
New players are invited to come and join returning regulars. The cost is only $1.50 per person. For more information contact Lee at 519 565-2765 in the evenings.
FITNESS AND FUN
Fitness and Fun for both the mind and body is the focus of activities being offered in the village for the more mature among us.
Several of these programs are made possible by Town and Country Support Services (TCSS), while others are simply organized by community minded individuals and groups.
The TCSS are encouraging many avenues of fitness for people to explore this fall including: Sit and Get Fit – Gentle Seated Exercises; Indoor Walking; Badminton.
Sit and Get Fit – Gentle Seated Exercises will begin on Oct. 14. The classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 10 a.m. and will be 30 minutes in duration. The cost is $1 per class.
Indoor Walking will also begin on Oct. 14 and will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays. There is no charge to participate in this exercise which will be held from 10:15 a.m. to noon.
Both of the above classes will be held in the Bayfield Community Centre.
Huron Centennial School in Brucefield will be the location for Badminton. There will be no charge to participate in this sport offered on Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. starting on Oct. 13.
Keeping the mind fit is also part of the fun.
Bridge Lessons for Intermediate Level Players will be held at the BLCB at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15, 22 and 29.
WOOD, GRYNER, COLLETT COMPRISE CONCERT SERIES
Royal Wood is the opening artist for the autumn portion of a new event simply called the Bayfield Concert Series. He will grace the stage of the Bayfield Town Hall on Sept. 26.
Wood is no stranger to Bayfield having held sold out performances at the The Black Dog Village Pub and Bistro on Main Street.
“There has always been a bigger demand but the restaurant has a limited capacity,” said event organizer, Peter Meades of his move to the larger venue; the town hall offers 85 seats.
According to Wood’s website, he is a self-taught, multi-instrumental artist who has an ear for everything, from Sgt. Pepper's to Vince Guaraldi.
Also familiar to the village music scene is Emm Gryner. She will perform at the town hall on Oct. 24. The final show in the series, Nov. 14, will feature Jason Collett. This will be Collett’s first appearance in the village and will coincide with the Christmas in Bayfield celebrations.
Meades commented that all three performers are very popular on the CBC. In an effort to promote local music on a larger scale, each concert will have a local supporting act. On Sept. 26, Matt Hussey will open for Wood; the band, Fourth Ave, will open for Gryner, Oct. 24; and the Baird Brothers, of Varna, studio and tour musicians for Fiest, will open for Collett on Nov. 14.
A subscription for the three concerts is $70. Tickets are on sale now at The Black Dog and Ernie King Music in Goderich. Tickets take the form of laminated passes so they are transferable.
The second half of the Bayfield Concert Series will be held in the spring…so stay tuned for more information.
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