| May 10, 2017


They had to break out the extra chairs as a capacity crowd filled Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna last Saturday to celebrate the rich history of lodges in North Frontenac.

The afternoon began with guests invited to browse the various exhibits before CMCA coordinator Brenda Martin welcomed the crowd with her opening remarks.

Martin pointed to the various exhibits spread around the hall showcasing all 63 lodges that have existed within the boundaries of the Township and a couple from without.

“We’ve covered all 63 and even went slightly outside of the Township because of the connection with Plevna,” she said. “These lodges have provided economic benefits for years and many are over 100 years old.

“Twenty-four of the lodges are historic but 39 are still active.”

Martin said the project follows on the history of Lodges and the materials collected will be donated in binders to the Clarendon and Miller Community Archives and the plan is to also create a booklet from the material.

“The displays will be available to active lodges,” she said.

Martin acknowledged the hours of student help as well as a Township grant that got things up and running and the hope for a federal grant to buy computer equipment to digitize the project.

“We’re all about community,” she said. “When we asked for help, boy did we get it.”

“Preserving our heritage and history is paramount to remembering for future generations,” said Mayor Ron Higgins. “It is our building of pride of ownership in our community that will attract visitors.”

Higgins also announced they’ve been approved for a Community Foundation of Kingston grant but couldn’t give any details until the ‘official’ announcement May 15.

Jere and Marianne Motto presented donated the original land titles documents for Land O'Lakes Lodge and perhaps the most poignant moment of the afternoon came when Ed Giffin of Tumblehome Lodge read a poem read a poem by Skip Moyst, who couldn’t attend because of flooding.

Then it was time for “special guest” and keynote speaker/entertainer Neville Wells, who “grew up in Ompah” at the Mosque Lake Lodge.

Wells, who was the Country Music Person of the Year in 1984 for the Canadian Country Music Association told stories about “growing up in the lodge environment” when $6 a day bought accommodation, three meals and a boat as well as his 35 cents/hour wages “contributing heavily to the local economy.”

Wells told of the Ompah dances on Saturday nights where “Neil (fiddle) and Flora Perry (slide guitar) were the orchestra.

“I don’t care what people say, it was better in those days.”

“The cute little stories are what we remember,” said Martin.

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