Unveiling of Canada 150 bench by Fordyce Women’s Institute for Heroes’ Memorial’s Peace Garden
Wednesday, November 22 was a bit wet and chilly but the atmosphere was warm and sunny all around the new bench being dedicated to Heroes’ Memorial School from the Fordyce Women’s Institute. The ladies in the institute had raised $800 in funds to purchase a bench from a local woodworking factory, Rustix, on Fordyce Road.
When Heroes’ Memorial first started its Peace Garden project a smaller bench had been installed by the school, but it was stolen. The Fordyce Women’s Institute wanted to replace the bench and to have something special to mark Canada’s 150th birthday. This time Rusty Padner, along with Randy Johnson, screwed the bench to metal postings and then set everything into a cement base. This bench is not going to go anywhere!
Wednesday afternoon the senior students and kindergarten came out to join the ladies at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Canadian and Canada 150 flags were provided by Denis Paradis’ office, but all the funds for the bench were raised by the Women’s Institute members after a request for federal funding was not forthcoming. Anne Stairs, the principal of Heroes’ Memorial, and Norma Sherrer, the president of the Fordyce Women’s Institute cut the blue and gold ribbons to the cheers and flagwaving of all those present.
The bench is supposed to last a good 20 years at least. It will be around for Heroes’ Memorial’s centennial in 2023 and hopefully for many more years to come.
Community groups and the school have formed strong bonds over the years and it is to be hoped that this practice will continue far into the future.