Friends of Bruce District Parks AGM November 2nd
Submitted by Melissa Kanmacher
I do not think I was much older than 19 when I first went to Flowerpot Island. I returned with a sweetheart several years later. At that time, we chatted with the volunteers at the museum about the Light Keeper Host program. I tucked that conversation away as a hope for the future. Lucky for me, that fella had the same plan. Many years later, with 2 children in tow, we started volunteering as Lighthouse Keepers.
Even during the Covid shut down, when the hosts were not staying on the island, we hopped over on a tour boat for our annual visit. I have not found an easy answer to the question about why we have volunteered for so long, other than to say that I fell in love with the place. I am no scientist, but to me, the water, trees, moss, and ferns energize the air. The hiking and the swimming are invigorating. Food tastes better. The pristine and rugged beauty never fails to take my breath away. And the primordial action of the waves lapping on shore, lull me into the most blissful slumbers.
Part of the magic is the fact that there are so few places in our lives where we can truly unplug. Limited cell service and the lack of noise and light pollution are a rare treat. Waking at 4 am to see the stars and sitting on the porch at dusk listening to the loons call to the setting sun from Sunset point never gets old!
As volunteer Light Keepers, we both unplug and plug in to the happy memories of hundreds of people from all over the world who come to visit this iconic place. One of the things I enjoy the most about volunteering in the museum is seeing parents prying their children away from exploring the grounds.
This year, while celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Friends of Bruce District Parks, we had the pleasure of staying on site with Heather Keast, the volunteer who greeted us 25 years ago with stories of the island’s light-keeping history. Heather is one of the founding members of the Lighthouse Host Program and a longtime volunteer and Friend of the Bruce District Parks.
In 1995 Heather and her partner Gary explored the island and fell under its spell. Intrigued by the stories contained in the overgrown and worn out Lightkeeper’s homes, they contacted Parks Canada. They were directed to the Friends of the Bruce District Park who had already signed an agreement with the Coast Guard, owners of the site, to have a clean-up in the Spring of 1996.
The Friends of Bruce District Parks is a non-profit registered charity whose mission is to support Bruce Peninsula National Park, Fathom Five National Marine Park and their environs through conservation of historic buildings and by supporting interpretive and educational Programs. Flowerpot Island is one of many projects supported by the Friends. All of Friends work hard all year to keep the host program running and the historic Light Station a beautiful and welcoming place for visitors.
History is Heather’s passion and education. Her ability to recall almost any detail, date or fact about the island is uncanny. For me, the opportunity to learn from Heather this summer ignited my interest in the museum. I am happy to be part of the newly formed Committee that will be partnering with Parks Canada to begin the process of giving the museum an update.
AGM November 2nd
As with all good things, support is needed to ensure the viability of the Light Station on Flowerpot Island. If you are interested in being part of the Friends, consider attending the Annual General Meeting on November 2nd at the Parks Visitor Center at 3pm, followed by social time and refreshments from 4-6pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information, visit https://friendsofthebruce.ca or the Friends of the Bruce District Parks Association on Facebook.
