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The Picton Gazette THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014
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Picton’s bronze Macdonald statue progressing Project organizers look for final $60,000 push to pay for Ruth Abernethy’s original work AdAm BrAmBurger
Staff writer
A lasting memorial for Sir John A. Macdonald on Picton’s Main Street will be a reality next year. David Warrick, the cochair of The Macdonald Project, confirmed that his committee had raised $120,000 of the $180,000 it needs to pay sculptor Ruth Abernethy for a life-sized statue of Canada’s first prime minister practicing law in his youth in Picton. “The project is going to happen, we just need to have a final push for completion,� Warrick said. “Soon Canadians will learn of John A. Macdonald’s close connection with Prince Edward County and the Quinte region.� He indicated his committee is still making plans for how it will unveil Abernethy’s now-completed work, the 10th statute of Macdonald to be erected in a public place in Canada. According to Warrick, the committee is looking at one of two options for the celebration in 2015, either Macdonald’s 200th birthday Jan. 11, or on Canada Day, July 1. An option for delivery in 2017 to mark Canada’s 170th birthday is also on the table if the remaining $60,000 can not be raised by next year. Warrick had the chance to see Abernethy’s sculpture of Glenn Gould outside Toronto’s CBC building close up, and said he found that work so lifelike that it actually captured the eccentric nature of the famous pianist. He added he’s seen a number of the artists’ other works, including a piece depicting Lt-Col John McCrae finishing writing In Flanders Fields, which will be installed in Guelph next year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the famous poem. Warrick said he believes the Macdonald one, entitled Holding Court, which shows the onetime barrister asking
celebrate
a question in front of a witness box that people will one-day be able to sit in could be a really special piece right up there with any of those works. While Abernethy has revealed a wax model of the sculpture, he says the bronze pieces are even more impressive in their detail and in their characterization. “When you see it, you realize just how amazing this work is,� he said. “It’s not just a copy of a photograph. You get a feeling of who he was. It shows his charisma, he was a real leader.� Warrick said the individual bronze fired pieces are just remarkable to see. In raising the money to go forward with the sculpture, Warrick said the money didn’t just come in from the county or from Picton, which is bound to benefit most from the new town centre concept being championed in the project proposal. “John A. Macdonald’s early years have never been told fully and we have that narrative here,� he said. “Many people have been happy to join with us to play a part in celebrating Macdonald’s legacy. This is more than a Bay of Quinte project, it has now gone national.� Even before being cleared to practice law at age 20 by the Law Society of Upper Canada, Macdonald had already volunteered as a secretary on the first public school board, organized a young men’s debating society, volunteered as a polling clerk, and signed a petition to rename Hallowell. Warrick said communities around the Bay of Quinte can share claim to the colourful politician as he spent time on Hay Bay, in Adolphustown, and in Napanee. Macdonald lived in Picton and in Glenora and had relatives in the Napanee area, in Hillier, and around Belleville. He also had a hand in opening the Murray Canal, a feat that resonates with Quinte West residents and one that helped
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Holding court Macdonald Project co-chair
David Warrick says Ruth Abernethy’s bronze statue of Sir John A. Macdonald possesses a high level of detail that captures his charisma. This photo, supplied by Abernethy is of a wax model of the statue. (Submitted photo)
make the county an island community. The bust Abernethy put together to start her sculpture has already been displayed in Picton, at Osgoode Hall, at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto, in Cobourg, and at the Ontario Legislature at Queen’s Park. At the latter location, more than 150,000 school children and visitors were expected to see the display and learn about Macdonald’s early years. To learn more about the project, or to donate, Warrick is encouraging people to visit the web site www.macdonaldproject.com. Additional fundraising activities are also in the planning stages with announcements to come.
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CLiC Photo Show July 26 -August 10, 2014 Books & Company, Main Street, Picton, Prince Edward County
Plan to enter or attend!
ClicPhotoShow.ca Picton Legion’s
JAIL N BAIL THIS SATURDAY
1 PM - MUSIC BY JARVIS BAND OUTDOOR BEER GARDEN BBQ & RAFFLES
Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity to “arrest� or “bail� a friend out of Jail. There will be a judge & trials, mug shots & much more.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SEE YOU AT THE LEGION 347 Main St. Picton
ATTENTION:
S.C.S. Cla la as ss of 1989!
Friday, June 13, 2014
Family BBQ at Sophiasburgh Central School 4pm ² 8pm, Hamburgers and Jumbo Hotdogs available $3 ea Games, Tour the School, FUN!
5TH PEC RELAY FOR LIFE
JUNE 6 – PICTON FAIRGROUNDS Monday, May 26 6:30pm Media Site Night This night is for teams to reserve their site for the event. Teams can also sign up for a Bank Night to drop off money.
Bank Nights June 2 & 3 Bring your fundraising dollars now so you can enjoy the night!
Thank You to Our Sponsors! EVENT SPONSORS Picton Kinsmen Scotiabank Picton LUMINARY SPONSORS Whattams Funeral Home Hicks Funeral Home
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Information: pecrflteams@gmail.com
Family BBQ Open to ALL who have ever attended SCS!
Saturday, June 14, 2014
&ODVV RI ¡ 5HXQLRQ 3DUW\ LQYLWDWLRQ only) at Demorestville Town Hall 6pm ² 1am, $10 per person Cash Bar, DJ, Potluck, Slideshow, /RQJ ORVW IULHQGV 
Please Send Pictures to:
scsprez1989@gmail.com Any Questions or want to get involved? Contact
Jamie Young at 613-449-9381 Sponsored by: The Family Team, Century 21