Beaver Club Gala benefits canoe museum
Canadian adventurers, photographers Joanie, Gary McGuffin guest speakers
The 12th annual Beaver Club Gala takes place on Oct. 19, with guest hosts Joanie and Gary McGuffin, popular Canadian adventurers, photographers, documentary producers, conservationists and writers.
The gala is named after the Beaver Club, founded in 1785 by a group of fur traders from the North West Company in Montreal. Today, it is an opportunity to raise money for the Canadian Canoe Museum, and includes a live auction.
Since its inception, the gala has raised more than $860,000 to support the museum’s educational programming, engaging children and youth in experiential field trips, workshops and more.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the event, which takes place at the museum, 910 Monaghan Rd. The evening includes fine food and period music and an afterdinner presentation by the McGuffins.
Among the items in the live auction are a spring weekend at Killarney Lodge, overlooking the Lake of Two Rivers, for a family or two couples; a J16 steel-string acoustic guitar by RGPGuitars made with East Indian rosewood on the back and sides, a spruce top, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge; and a Creatures of the Lake custom rug finished with a felt backing by Nine Star Designs, a custom area rug company from Sudbury, designed and crafted by Andy Blanchette.
Those wishing to bid on the items, but who can’t attend the gala, can fill out a live auction proxy bid form on their website and email it to caroline.anderson@canoemuseum.ca by Oct. 17.
Books and Brunch will take place the following day, Oct. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Elmhirst’s Resort, 1045 Settlers Line. Guests can enjoy Sunday brunch, also with the McGuffins as hosts. They will talk about their work with James Raffan, director of external relations. “We are thrilled to be welcoming Joanie and Gary McGuffin to host these two important fundraising events for the museum,” says Caroline Anderson, annual giving co-ordinator.
The McGuffins have written several books that feature their nature photography, including “Great Lakes Journey: Exploring the Heritage Coast” and “Where Rivers Run: A 6,000 Mile Exploration of Canada by Canoe.”
The couple is known for their commitment to environmental conservation and for their efforts to connect people to nature. Joanie McGuffin is the executive director and Gary McGuffin is the vice-president of the Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy, an organization founded to protect lands and waters in the Lake Superior watershed.
Their Canoes for Conservation trips promote ecological conservation and cultural preservation. For their environmental work, they have received the Premier’s Award and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
Tickets for the Beaver Club Gala are $225, and $75 for the Books and Brunch, which includes brunch, authors’ talk and book signing. They can be purchased online at canoemuseum.ca. For more information, call 705-748-9153.
Fall Muffin Party
St. James United Church Women are holding a Fall Muffin Party on Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church at 221 Romaine St. Admission is $4 per, with tickets at the door.
There will be a variety of muffins with jam and jelly to enjoy, with tea or coffee, along with new-to-you and bake tables.
St. James is wheelchair accessible. For information, call 705742-2222.