By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Fifty years in, Frank Letourneau is still hanging out with the Dover Kinsmen.
As charter president, the 79-year-old was among the crowd who gathered in Pain Court at the Central Tavern Feb. 17 to mark the club’s half century of service to the community.
According to Letourneau, the Dover club started with six members thanks to the encouragement of Chatham Kinsmen, which included well-known community boosters Luce Cools, Ted Brady, Gary Fenton and Jim Harlick.
“They were very instrumental in helping us put the club together,” Letourneau told The Voice, as he detailed the club’s history.
At the start, the Dover Kinsmen met in the basement of the Immaculée Conception Catholic Church in Pain Court. They moved around a bit and called the second floor of the Central Tavern home for a time, courtesy of owners Bob and Rose Braquet. Today the club has a permanent spot in Grande Pointe’s former firehall, where they’ve been meeting for 20 years.
Since its inception, the Dover group has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local projects. Their first fundraiser was a raft race in the municipal drain on the 7th concession starting at Jacob Road and ending at the Dover Rod and Gun Club.
Letourneau joked the raft event was a lot of fun and a bit risky.
“It was challenging to say the least and it’s a wonder nobody got hurt,” the retired farmer explained. “You wouldn’t be able to get away with that today.”
Helping kids has always been the club’s main goal. Members pitched in to help launch the Chatham-Kent Safety Village – a project the club is still involved with today.
The Mitchell’s Bay Splash Pad is another initiative the club took on, and members also spearheaded the construction of two pavilions at Mitchell’s Bay, and one each in Pain Court and Grande Pointe.
In 1998, the club launched the first Pain Court Tractor Pull, which included a singing and fiddle contest as well as lawn mower races. It eventually became known as Farm Fest and while it’s no longer billed as such, the tractor pull continues and marks its 28th year this summer.
Current president Nipper Myers, said the 16-member club plans to continue its good work by hosting dinners, sometimes featuring wild game, such as muskrat.
“Sixteen who can do the work of 60,” Letourneau said of the membership. “I know, I’ve seen a lot in 50 years. We have the younger generation now involved under the guidance of our president and that’s what makes our club successful.”
Going forward, Myers said the club will continue to host the tractor pull, and a concert may be in the wings. They’ll also continue to rent out their hall for events and will keep supporting Cystic Fibrosis – the club’s main charity.
The club also marked its half-century mark by handing out $25,000 to charity. Cystic Fibrosis; the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent; Pretty in Pink (for Chatham Hospice); the Grande Pointe Park and the Chatham Goodfellows each received $5,000.
Six new metal park benches will be donated, with two destined for Mitchell’s Bay and two each in Dover Centre and Pain Court.
Several dignitaries, including Kinsmen national president Patrick Bowers, as well Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault and Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff attended the party. North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail, also on hand, had words of praise for the club’s contributions.
“Dover Kinsmen are a great part of our community,” McGrail said, noting their support and advocacy for the community has been outstanding.
“They are an asset and I look forward to what they will do in the coming years,” she said.
