Just another Saturday in Kennebec District

Craig Bakay | Feb 19, 2020

The 14th annual Frontenac Heritage Festival was well represented Saturday in Kennebec District.

First of all, there was the annual display from the Kennebec Historical Society at Kennebec Hall featuring the unique tool collection of Martin Hoogstein as well as a recently acquired wooden model of the Nonsuch (explorer Henry Hudson’s ship) built by Nick Zeldenrust and a couple of old baseball scoreboards found in the basement of Kennebec Hall.

Once again the Arden Potters held the Empty Bowls project where buying a bowl of soup or chilli also got you a handcrafted bowl with proceeds going to the Food Bank and the Arden Rink Restoration project.

And speaking of the Rink Restoration project, the Recreation Committee held a bake sale fundraiser. They’ll still take donations too. Call Wanda Harrison at 613-335-3186 for information.

There was also a quilting display and outside, Mike Proctor, Bob Miller and the Frontenac Blades put on a demonstration of pioneer living and tomahawk throwing.

Over on Kennebec Lake, the lake association’s annual event got off to a bit of a rough start when Terry Kennedy took a spill on the ice while, ironically, spreading sand on the plowed walkway. Then, it was announced that a planned ice rescue demonstration under the bridge had to be cancelled as district fire chief Jeff Matson, who was organizing the demonstration, was called away to be present at the birth of his grandson.

But, as more and more people started showing up, things worked out just fine.

“This was our best one ever,” said one of the organizers, Judy Kennedy. “There were about 110 people and many of them were new faces.

“We’re getting a turnover on the lake and it was good to see a lot of kids and dogs.

“And all the food was gone.”