Military banner sample from Kincardine.

Hub Staff

Joyce Johnston, Municipal Heritage Committee Chair, gave a deputation to Saugeen Shores Council at their June 27 Committee of the Whole meeting. The Committee, whose mandate is to promote “programs for the recognition and celebration of built, natural and culture in Saugeen Shores” was in attendance to introduce two new programs.

Commemorative World War I Military Banners, in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, will see the Committee display military banners on main streets in Saugeen Shores with men and women from Southampton, Port Elgin, Saugeen Township and Saugeen Ojibway Nation who contributed in a variety of ways to Canadian involvement in World War I.

The Committee is currently in the research phase and contacting families in hopes of obtaining photographs for the banners.

Johnston said that as the project continues, the goal is to include World War II soldiers and other war soldiers as well. “The Municipal Heritage Committee has been working with our two local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Bruce County Archives to begin an annual program that would see military banners installed in our downtowns for about a month ahead of Remembrance Day each year,” said Johnston. “We will be contacting descendant families of soldiers in our quest to locate photographs.”

Johnston added that the program will benefit from financial support of a number of community partners, including individual and business donors, as well as the involvement of both Legions and the archives at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.

Another program in the works is Trees of Significance, designed to celebrate distinctive trees throughout Saugeen Shores as “cultural and natural, living assets”. Whether a tree is significant because it enhances the landscape or was planted to commemorate a personal event or celebration; the committee is asking for the public’s input. “We hope this will be a wonderful way for the community to celebrate trees and recognize the importance they have to us personally,” said Johnston.

The program is in its initial stages but eventually the Committee would be asking for submissions, including a photograph, location and reason why the tree is significant; and hopes to have the trees on display through a digital gallery on the Town of Saugeen Shores website as well as in Council Chambers in the Fall.