Stanton Family
Cemetery Project
Old Time Dance, July 2/05
At Chaffey's Lock Community Hall
Music by the Melody Makers
Starting at 7:30 p.m.
Admission $6:00, Cash bar
Proceeds to the Clear Lake Cemetery Project
Join us for an evening's entertainment as it was in bygone days!
Work Bee June 11 POSTPONED TIL FURTHER NOTICE
Meet us at 8:00 a.m. at the cemetery for a clearing bee! Wear suitable clothing, bring gloves, mosquito repellant, drinking water and whatever else you think might come in handy.
The Township has given permission for this work to take place and they will dispose of the scrub we clear. Someone has volunteered a scrub cutting machine, so we will need lots of labour to gather up the cuttings and bring them out for the Township's pick up.
Email me at ssmarvel@hotmail.com and I'll put you in touch with the organizers.
*****Unfortunately, this work bee has been delayed until further approval is received from the Township.*****
Plans to Renovate Stanton Cemetery
The Chaffey's Lock Heritage Society has taken on the project of refurbishing Stanton Cemetery, including repair of the stones, and landscaping improvements. Stanton Cemetery is the final resting place of James Stanton who in 1820, was the first Stanton in our family to come to Canada.
The cemetery, already designated a Heritage Cemetery, has suffered vandalism and neglect over the years. The grass is kept trimmed by neighbour and Stanton descendent, Dave Burt, but the place could still use some help. Most of the stones are becoming nearly illegible. Some have been broken and pieces lost. The surrounding scrub has blocked the view of beautiful Clear Lake.
The secretary of the Heritage Society, Rev. Gloria Kostyk, informed me that her committee has spoken to a stone restorer with a great reputation and gotten his rough estimate of $6000 for repair of the stones. A member of the Society who is a landscape architect has prepared a plan for the cemetery which includes clearing the scrub to reveal the lake view and building a low stone wall along the road. Their proposal to the Township and the Ontario Trillium Foundation in search of funding grants, but as yet with no success.
If you are interesting in helping in any way, please contact me at ssmarvel@hotmail.com for more information.
This is how the cemetery looked in bygone days. Notice the lake can be seen in back. The tombstone in the picture, George Kerr's, has since been moved to Elgin.
Fund Raising Coffee Party
Saturday, April 2, 2005 from 7-10 p.m. Chaffey's Lock's Community Hall. Local entertainers. Coffee and sweets. Funds in support of the Stanton Cemetery project. The event seemed to be a success with the hall nicely full in spite of the rainy night. The band "The Melody Makers" played some lovely old time music and a few couples took a turn around the little dance floor. They even dedicated a tune to Stanton descendant Allen Douglas Burt (better known as Pep Burt.) There were other entertainers too, a violin soloist and a humorous reading "If Hydro One Were a Candy Store." Lots and lots of home made dainties and desserts were washed down with steaming coffee and tea. Organizer, Rev. Gloria Kostyk had set up a nice display of the plans for the project. Alongside was the donation box, to which master of ceremonies, local businessman Dave Brown, encouraged everyone to make a visit.
Rideau Corridor
The Stanton Cemetery is in the Rideau Corridor, an area of land alongside the historical Rideau Canal which runs from Kingston to Ottawa. The corridor has been submitted to the federal government as a potential site for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Rideau Canal will be celebrating its 175th birthday in 2007. The Heritage Society would like to refurbish the cemetery in time for those celebrations.
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