A Grand Gathering: Community BBQ & ‘The Voice of the River’

This community came together in 'grand' style for the annual BBQ featuring grilling by the Lions Club and salads and desserts from Horticulture members. MC Ellen Horak shared remarks with Mayor David Bailey, Lions President Don Douglas, a rep from Glen Morris Horticulture and Janice Little on behalf of the church. A streamer making activity in preparation for the 'parade' was led by Janic Little and Sue Harkness. The amazing Grand River Quilt, with the quilt squares of 60 different artists/makers along the river, was on display in the hall but unfortunately not many got a chance to see it. We are currently hoping to bring it back to view at the church for a weekend in the fall.

But Peter Smith, Director/Writer/Producer of the Grand River Community Play Project shared the events of the evening best:

"The Voice of the River is a project that started three years ago and Glen Morris was one of our first (of many) stops along the way. What we met in the Glen was an openness, a kindness, a creativity, and a generosity of spirit. Our understanding of all of that only grew in size and scope with each visit. We held story circles and workshops in the United Church Hall that always brought forth laughter, plenty of insight, and sometimes tears. The United Church Choir got involved almost from the get go and they sang on the banks of the Grand when we stopped in Glen Morris last Sunday night. Relationships with local folks like Karen Murray-Hopf and Jeff Leader, along with Don Douglas and Rick Leis and so many of the Lions, and other fine folks over the years grew in passion and kindness and in story. On Sunday, August 10th the Voice of the River visited the Glen on the Grand Tour. We were invited by the Lions to be a part of their amazing annual BBQ - which was awesome. We opened the festivities with a Thanksgiving Address in Cayuga and in English offered by two young Cayuga men from Six Nations.

The Grand Parade was next up and was led by Guinness World Record holder in stiltwalking Doug Hunt (born and raised in the Glen) and about 100 other folks with masks, puppets, and flags - and there were dogs in there too and a cat chewing stalks of grass in the ditch alongside the road taking in the zaniness. The Grand Parade was loud and it was fun. The on-call OPP officers took it all in with a smile and a little video-ing of their own. The presentation of stories and songs was a hoot with a 12 year old and a 92 year old in the company of actors.

We wrapped the evening with the 'Sunset Surprise' down at the boat launch on the Grand River. Karen Murray-Hopf kicked things off in high style with a beautiful performance of James Haye Sharp the night that William Lyon MacKenzie came riding across the Glen Morris bridge hoping to escape the militia who were in hot pursuit following the failed 1837 Farmers Revolt in Toronto. He stayed the night with James Sharp and his wife before continuing on to the United States. Karen brought us to the event that happened that night at almost the same spot where it occurred. The United Church Choir then appeared and sang two songs beautifully and they then handed things over to Cathy Nosaty and Bella Zinger who led us all in singing the names of the rivers and creeks that feed into the Grand. And the night ended with Bagpiper River LaCroix 9from Glen Morris) playing the Isle of Skye Boat Song from the other side of the River. Hearing him on the pipes calling over to us added to the Voice of the River that played along with him as she continued her flow down to Lake Erie.

I can not say enough good about Glen Morris, but know that I will continue to try. With gratitude and thanks. Peter Smith"