Regatta, Loons and Presidential Approval

The 87th Anglican Church Regatta usually runs slab dab in the middle of the summer. This year, the threat of a thunderstorm caused the cancellation of the event. It was rescheduled for August 18.

St. John in the Woods Anglican church sits almost IN the road on the way to Foxwood Inn, Fox Point. Dedicated in 1902, this charming little church was built on land donated by Mr. B. H. Crump, Mr. French, and one of the first settlers in the northern end of Lake of Bays, Mr. Tom Salmon. At the spot where their three properties touched, the church was built. And furnished -- the locals were rightfully proud of this little church, and donated most of the furnishings. Boyce Cunnington gave a vestment box.

Our grandfather, Joseph Tapley, related the tale of being asked to sing at a wedding in St. John in the Woods. As he lifted his celebrated tenor voice, the bats came winging down out of the belfry and swooped through the church, creating havoc with the wedding party.

The land at St. John in the Woods was far too rocky to permit any burial grounds. In 1912, Boyce Cunnington gave land for a cemetery at Port Cunnington, with a church -- St.James -- built next door in 1935 with free labour donated by the local residents and $477 of 'seed money' raised by the Ladies' Association. The two churches have worked harmoniously together ever since, and are currently under the ministry of Rev. Heather Manuel.

The summer regatta is one of the churchs' annual fundraisers, and it's a great fun day out. The area resorts all come in support, joined by many of the seasonal summer people. Hosted this year by Port Cunnington Lodge, one of the oldest resorts on the Lake of Bays, the Regatta was honoured to have in attendance Alto Hall, 98. Mrs. Hall has been coming to Port Cunnington since 1953. With her were her son, her granddaughter, and her great-granddaughter. How faboulous to see four generations still enjoying the beauty and graciousness of Port Cunnington Lodge and the Lake of Bays!

The Regatta had some other impressive visitors. The Lake of Bays Fireboat showed up, lights flashing, and siren blaring, much to the delight of the youngsters who lined up for a tour. Matt and Garry even turned on the huge water cannon before leaving. A local committee of 5 people spearheaded the push to acquire this boat for our highly valued volunteer firefighters, raising over a quarter of million dollars to purchase and fully equip the vessel. Is it ever used? Well, Tuesday, it was called out on four separate occasions to boats in distress in the high winds that were causing difficult conditions on the main part of the lake.

A family of loons came by, too -- diving amongst the racing swimmers with great nonchalence. The baby was learning to dive, and many of the spectators abandoned the swim and canoe race venue to shift along the shore and watch the loons in action.

Bondi teams up with Nor'Loch Lodge at the Regatta, and while this year we didn't have very many competitors on hand, we still came home with ribbons. Congratulations to Andrea, who on the spur of the moment joined forces with a Nor'Loch guests, and paddled to second place in the Ladies Double Canoe. Lots of our guests came back loaded down with items from the Bake Sale, Silent Auction and Door Prizes.

Napster donated one of his prints, "Flight" to the Silent Auction. It went to a family on Bigwin Island for Sixty Dollars.

While there was only one point between them, Port Cunnington Lodge just nicked Lumina Resort to win the overall high point trophy. That's fitting enough, since Port Cunnington was the host for the day. Foxwood was third... we trailed into fourth place, but we had fun!

During the G8, Port Cunnington hosted a contingent of the American Embassy, including the helicopter pilots who fly Marine One, President Obama's helicopter. Ducky Wadsworth took the flyboys out in the classic wooden boat for a lake tour. When they were leaving Deerhurst, the pilots brought Mr. Obama over Port Cunnington, hovering out over the lake so he could get a good look at where they had stayed, and at Bigwin Island Golf Course.

He liked what he saw.

As for Ducky and Sally Wadsworth, they got an autograph from the President, courtesy of the Marine One pilots. So, just a note, if you're reading this Mr. Obama, Ducky says you're welcome any time, and we'd extend the invitation as well! We'll even provide a canoe for you to use in the Regatta races...