Storytellers to add local flavour to Expo 150

Posted Jun 9, 2011 By Theresa Fritz

EMC Events - Take a journey through Renfrew County's history with a display by local museums and storytellers as part of Expo 150.

After more than year of planning, Expo 150 takes place June 9-12 at the Pembroke and Area Airport. It is being billed as the largest local festival in Renfrew County. And the free event will not only showcase all that the county and its 17 municipalities and the City of Pembroke have to offer, but also its rich history over the last 150 years.

The County of Renfrew was formed on June 8, 1861 by an Act of Legislature of the Province 'An Act to provide for the separation of the County of Renfrew from the County of Lanark'.

The expo will feature a number of events and activities include a pioneer village, antique car show, cultural exhibits, fiddling and stepdancing, artisans, aircraft, live music, agricultural show, vendors, and much more.

In keeping with the historical aspect of the event, the Renfrew County Museum Network members have come together to develop a unique exhibit under a tent, of which the Arnprior and District Museum is part.

The local museum has creating a general store as part of its offering, while other museums have created other historic things relevant to small town living in Renfrew County. Along with that theme, will be presenting storytellers who will share stories about running stores.

"Although our store really concentrates on the 1900s, what they (storytellers) will be speaking about is what a stopping place the general store was, why they went there and how stores helped people through the Depression with a bit of credit here and there so people could have food on the table and how they would also buy things so they could sell things," explained Arnprior and District Museum curator Janet Carlile.

The roster of local storytellers includes:

- John Robertson, the owner of Robertson Furniture in Arnprior who will be speaking about small retail ownership in Renfrew County. He will talk on Thursday, June 9-12 at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

- Doug Scheels will speak on Friday, June 10 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

- Gordon Bethune of Braeside and Morris Hall who started Arnprior's M&R Feeds, will speak Saturday, June 11 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

- Reg Wagenblass, who ran Wagenblass' General Store, will be speaking Sunday, June 12 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Carlile noted that all times are tentative but they should be accurate. Along with the Arnprior storytellers, other areas represented by museums will have storytellers as well.

"There will also be something going on in that tent," she noted.

DONATED SPACE

Carlile said Mark Nibourg of the Kenwood Centre has graciously donated space so the store can be constructed and then taken up the line for Expo 150. And she praised the volunteers who have worked so hard to make it come to life.

The building of the store was spearheaded by John Brady as well as Brian LaBrie. The designer and painter of the store is Adrianne Soucy. She has been assisted by Brynn Graham, Sandra Hall and Kathleen Brennan.

While a number of artifacts that were requested to help make the general store exhibit as authentic as possible have been dropped off at the museum, Carlile said any help from the public would be most appreciated.

"We are always open for more volunteers. It (exhibit) really makes Arnprior look good," she concluded.

For more detailed information on County of Renfrew Expo 150, please visit www.expo150.com.