June 29, 2015
1916
Dear Editor:
RE: CAPTAIN CANADA
Okay, Kincardine, here is another 50-year trivia question for you.
Who in the last half-century is Kincardine's MVP - Most Valuable Person? I have you thinking again, don't I? I am a little biased but I think it is my old friend, "Captain Canada," Brad Kirkconnell. Where would Kincardine be without the service, leadership and dedication this born-and-raised-Kincardine lad has provided his community the past 30 years? What a guy! What a difference-maker!
My old friend, Nute Catto, and I were on the 1990 Old Boys/Girls Reunion sports and recreation committee. Nute had the foresight to recruit Brad for our committee, having witnessed his leadership skills as a young union steward on the Bruce Power Workers' Union. We were hoping that he would get his feet grounded in 1990 Reunion business and then volunteer for the next reunion.
The rest is history. Brad became the chairman of the historic 1998 Old Boys/Girls Reunion and did a fantastic job. In 2008, he served on the Reunion committee again as past chairman. Brad, indeed, got his grounding in community service leadership at that 1990 Reunion - Nute and I trained him well!
It's not likely many people know that Brad has chaired the Kincardine Canada Day committee for 20 years! He took over in 1995 and what a wonderful job he has done over the years. Kincardine has a Canada Day celebration every year second to none.
I think Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie should pull rank and order Brad to accompany her and Bruce County warden Mitch Twolan out front of the Canadian flag being carried in the parade on Canada Day so he, too, can be recognized. For years now I have called Brad "Captain Canada." A good moniker, eh?
When the community rallied to bring back our famous landmark, the Paddy Walker House, from the ashes, organizer Robert Cottrill, in 1999, recruited Brad for the restoration committee where he served until 2009. Brad served in yeoman-like fashion for several years as the fund-raising chairman and as president for a couple of years.
In 2000, Brad organized the "adopt-a-plot" program on the boardwalk at Station Beach. Over the next 10 years, he must have put the arm on more than 75 individuals, businesses and groups to plant flowers/shrubs in individual plots and to maintain them. His plan rejuvenated the boardwalk and it became a destination for people who come from afar to walk it and bask in its beauty.
And how about the annual Kincardine Blues Festival that Brad, Rick and Marilyn Clarke organized six years ago? It's become so big that it has moved out of the Bruce Steakhouse and onto Queen Street and down to Victoria Park. Another destination for people from all over Ontario to visit good old Kincardine.
Kincardine has been blessed with the Penetangore River and its tributaries - a natural amenity. Guess who started the Kincardine Trail System in 2001 and is still going strong developing more and more trails with his trails association members? Brad Kirkconnell! Can you believe Kincardine now has 22 kilometres of beautiful trails and bridges that locals and visitors use all the time. Other towns would love to have the trails that Kincardine has!
Over the years, Brad never forgot his old friends and special Kincardinites who passed on, and he has organized special memorial tributes for them at the Kincardine Legion even though they had moved out of town. The one for Ronnie McLeod, who grew up across the street from Brad, was particularly moving. Everybody in town knew and loved Ronnie who was hearing impaired, couldn't speak but communicated by writing notes to you with a big smile all over his face.
So there you go, Kincardine. Next time you see Brad, go up to him, shake his hand and thank him for all he has done for Kincardine over the years. He deserves a big thank you from all of us for getting things done.
And, Brad, if you happen to read this epistle, Nute and I want you to know that we are really, really proud of you. You have come along way. Keep 'er goin', eh!
Slainte Mhath!
R. Keith Davidson
RR 2, Kemble
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