History Mystery Tour goes on despite power outage

Craig Bakay | May 09, 2018

It was the history event that almost didn’t happen.

After the windstorm last Friday night, power was out all over the north county, including Clar-Mill Hall in Plevna.

For Brenda Martin, coordinator of the Clarendon and Miller Community Archives, this presented quite the challenge as the History Mystery Tour was scheduled for Saturday.

“(On Saturday Morning) I chased a hydro guy down the road,” she said. “When he told me it could be some time before power was restored, I had to get Jason Lemke to bring over generators from the Township.

“We usually have an annual event on the first Saturday in May.”

By the time the doors opened at noon, everything was up and running on generator power.

The ‘Tour’ consisted of a simulated tour around the hamlets and mines of old North Frontenac, using the K & P Railway

“The Tour is based on our latest book, Historic Tours of North Frontenac,” Martin said. “The ‘Mystery’ part is based on answering three questions from the book but there were also clues in The Frontenac News and as you travel around the various hamlet displays, the questions will be answered.”

Visitors got their ‘tickets’ punched at the various hamlet stops (Myers Cave, Fernleigh, Ardoch) and answered questions based on the book. The tickets were then entered in a draw for a substantial prize package donated by local businesses.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Martin.

The other aspect of the event was to showcase the new lodge signs, designed by co-op students Natalie Reynolds and Shannon Delyea.

“There are 10 already done and five more to come,” said Martin. “The Township will be putting them up this summer.”