Bill Groves 'The Northern Crafter' receives international recognition on his wood crafting and carving

Bill Groves, also known as "The Northern Crafter" has received international recognition for his wood carvings mostly created from his home workshop in Chapleau.

A major publication in which Bill has been featured is 'Creative Woodwork and Craft', a craft international magazine home.

Although Bill says he has been making things since he was a "young lad", but  he devoted more time to it after retiring several years ago from a successful business career.

Bill shares part of his story: "I have been making things since I was a young lad (13/17 years old ) such as birch candle holders, a four foot train set for my young brother, two dozen full size arrows for a  bow, an 18 inch totem pole, etc ( no money to buy such things back then )."

Bill added that he "couldn't buy things for Christmas gifts so I made them. It's funny because my Mother would never let my little brother play with the train set . She put it up on his dresser so he could just look at it".

"When he  was about 45 she came to Chapleau for a visit and brought me the totem pole I had made. She had saved it for all those years !"

 Bill also had  the two dozen arrows when he moved to Chapleau  and  his boys were getting to the age of wanting to use the bow so "needless to say it wasn't long before they were pretty much trashed". I still have a few that I saved from certain death".

Although Bill continues his lifelong hobby  he admits to having slowed down now on his  crafting  and carving.

My  breathing is not what it used to be so even with a proper mask on, my wife, Barbara still gets too nervous for me to spend much time in my workshop".

 However, at his cottage, it is another story.  "I have been carving a couple of antlers for people out at the cottage during the summer when I can do them outside on  my cottage workshop deck where I can watch out over the lake and carve to my hearts content."

He cautions that carvers should take precautions so as not to affect their breathing.

Bill is also an incredibly good photographer, and has shared many of his Chapleau and area scenes.

I also extend my most sincere congratulations to Bill on having been recognized by the Township of Chapleau for his volunteer work over the years. When I was home for the 60th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012 , it was great to see the Waterfront Development and Peace Park --- areas where I played with my friends for years especially the Big Rock.

Congrats also to all who worked with Bill on these projects.

 Bill says that those interested in seeing more of his work can add him on Facebook and his email is billgroves@sympatico.ca. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Bill Groves gets laugh and direction over horseshoe bridge upon arrival in Chapleau 1958

When Bill Groves arrived in Chapleau on the Canadian Pacific Railway passenger train one Fall morning in 1958, he was directed to go over the horseshoe bridge to the hotel.

 

Bill arrived as a young manager in training for the Stedman Store Company.

 

After getting off the train Bill says he asked "the gentleman behind the wicket" in the ticket office if there was a cab he could get to take him to a hotel. 

 

"All I got was a loud laugh and directions over the horseshoe bridge and down the street to the hotel." That would have been the Queen's Hotel, later the Sportsman.

 

It was closed so off he went looking for another one ending up at the YMCA on Lorne Street where the liquor store is now.

 

"Sadie, everyone in those days knew Sadie, came out of the back with a cup of coffee. That and a cigarette got me through till the Stedman Store opened at 9am . I was a young manager in training for the Stedman Store Company."

 

Bill related that in those day Trainees were not allowed to frequent pool halls, beer parlors, own a car, or date staff members.

 

However, it was at the Chapleau Stedman's store that he  met Barbara Bowland, a part- time high school student who worked at the store.

 

Despite the rules they started dating, and even after a few months she still called him "Mr. Groves" at the store as staff were not allowed to be called by first names.

 

"In any case I  received a transfer to Gravenhurst, Parry Sound, Blind River, Simcoe, all the while writing a lengthy letter to each other every day . Didn't use phones much way back then."

 

 Bill  added that "Eventually I received my first managing postition in Seaforth, Ontario and asked Barb's parents for her hand ."  Barbara's parents were the late  Reginald and Annie (Cochrane) Bowland.

 

"One week later we were married In the old (Trinity) United Church (in Chapleau) on October 26, 1961 and on our way to a long and wonderful life together !

 

Fifty-three years later, Bill and Barbara have been " living and loving it  in Chapleau for over 35 years ! There's a lot more to this story but that will be for another day ."

 

However, although Bill says there is a lot more to his story, let me just add that he has been real busy in retirement.

 

For example, for some years he coordinated the annual Chapleau Ice Fishing Derby and greatly contributed to having the community named the 2011 World Fishing Network Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada. His volunteerism also included time as chair of the community waterfront committee.

 

Bill is also a very talented photographer and antler carver.

 

 Bill responded to a request I made earlier for folks to share their favourite Chapleau Moments, and  I extend my thanks to him for his participation. 

For sure there is much more to Bill and Barbara's story, but as he says "that will be for another day".  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

All photos are from the Bill Groves Collection

 

Bill Groves of Chapleau brings back memories of home in Winter

Bill Groves of Chapleau provides us with some of his outstanding photos depicting Winter scenes from the area. 

To those of us who no longer live in Chapleau, Bill's photos truly bring us memories of home in Winter.

Bill also coordinated the very popular Ice Fishing Derby at Chapleau for many years.

 He provided a photo of him with a lake trout he caught at Como Lake.

Thanks for the memories Bill. 

Merry Christmas to you, Barbara and family!

There was no place like home for the holidays even when it meant shovelling three feet of snow off the roof.

Chapleau 'rode the wave of community spirit' to win 2011 Ultimate Fishing Town Contest, according to sponsor World Fishing Network

When it comes to fishing, "basically, what you want, you can get, because Chapleau's got it all", the World Fishing Network (WFN) says in a news release as it launches its 2012 Ultimate Fishing Town Contest which Chapleau won in 2011.

Comparing Chapleau to Roscoe, its winning counterpart in the United States, WFN says that while the American city's "charm lies in fly fishing for trout, Chapleau's more like a jack-of-all trades.

"It has everything you could want. Anglers can target northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, splake, smallmouth bass, whitefish, lake trout,brook trout and more.

Bill Groves

"Fishing is great any time of year, from catching panfish with the kids and ice fishing for walleye to fly fishing for trout and taking out a kayak for bass in deep cover. Basically, what you want, you can get, because Chapleau's got it all."

The news release points out that Chapleau’s 157,480 votes were only 10,000 more than fellow Ontario town Port Colborne but it "rode the wave of community spirit to get $25000 prize.

"The 'friends telling friends' approach proved to be the deciding factor in Chapleau’s win, especially through social tools like Facebook and email. As word got out, support just kept growing, and pride in the town eventually took over and was seen in all facets of the community, whether business or personal. Like Roscoe, the local media got involved and even ads were placed in newspapers, radio, and television to help promote the contest."

It also noted that Chapleau is the gateway to the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, over 2,700 square miles, making it a prime eco-tourism destination for nature lovers and wildlife travelers. "Within this wilderness paradise are hundreds of lakes and rivers filled with a huge variety of different species. "

WFN said: "Just winning the Ultimate Fishing Town contest has already done a lot for Chapleau. With that exposure, the town was put on the map right away as a great fishing destination. When taking into account the prize winnings, tourism continues to be the focal point as new signage and promoting pamphlets were planned to help promote the town’s fishing opportunities even more. In addition, educational programs and fishing derbies for youth were in the works to help bring excitement to the sport for future generations."

As of now, the Chapleau Fishing Advisory Committee, who were instrumental in getting the word out about the contest, are accepting proposals for funding. the news release said.

Aside from the exposure and the donation, this contest helped renew pride in the community. Even a year later, evidence of the accomplishment is still visible. At an annual pike fishing derby in early February, crowds in attendance cheered when free Ultimate Fishing Town Canada shirts were being handed out. Coordinator Bill Groves actually threw them into the crowd and there was a stampede to get one.

Congratulations to all who were responsible for the success of the pike fishing derby. From all reports received out here in British Columbia, its was a resounding success, and an excellent way to get everyone warmed up for the Chapleau High School Reunion 90th Anniversary Festival.

Thanks to Bill Groves for the fishing photos not necessarily from the recent ice fishing derby. And, I could not resist including one of my great uncle Griffin Mulligan fishing on the Chapleau River about 100 years ago. Griifin was the brother of my grandmother Lil (Mulligan) Morris. I have no idea how many fish he caught that day. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

BILL GROVES WITH BREATHTAKING WINTER SCENES FROM CHAPLEAU

BILL GROVES continues to provide us with breathtaking Winter scenes from the Chapleau area. Thanks Bill.

BILL GROVES PRESENTS WINTER SEASON AT CHAPLEAU INCLUDING 'DEEP' SNOW

Bill Groves of Chapleau, Ontario, once again provides us with some of his awesome photos -- this time some typical winter scenes from the area. including 'deep' snow.

Bill's son Ken in "deep" snow"

Over the next month or so we will be presenting more of Bill's photos depicting winter and the Christmas and holiday season.  Thanks so much Bill for sharing.

Chapleau the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada to hold Northern Pike Ice Fishing Derby on February 11, 2012 with $10,000 first prize

"He caught it but I'm holding it"

Chapleau, Canada's Ultimate Fishing Town, is holding a one-day Northern Pike Ice Fishing Derby on February 11, 2012.

The Chapleau Express reports that Bill Groves, "long time organizer and co-ordinator of the derby will once again be at the helm with the help of very capable committee members". They include Michael Levesque, Elizabeth Michaud, Emily Taylor and Roger Perrault.

The Express noted that the first place prize of $10,000 "will undoubtedly sharpen everyone's fishing skills". Second prize is $5,000, the third $2000 and the fourth $1,000.

"There is no doubt as to the derby's popularity," the Express story said. "It's already the talk of the town. We are after all, Canada's Ultimate Fishing Town."

Earlier in 2011, Chapleau won the WFN Ultimate Fishing Town title for Canada defeating much larger communities for the honour. Watch WFN video on Chapleau: http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/videos/channels/wfn-world-fishing-network/ultimate-fishing-town-2011-chapleau-ontario-144729.aspx

Here is the information on the ice fishing derby. CLICK ON IT TO ENLARGE FOR EASIER READING.

The Ice Fishing Derby will serve as a winter morale booster as well as help the local economy.

Chapleau is shaping up as the place to be in 2012 with the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School slated for the end of June. FOR REUNION INFO, CLICK HERE http://www.chs90threunionfestival.com/

Photo by Bill Groves.

Bill GROVES PRESENTS THE AWESOME WONDER OF CHAPLEAU AREA IN THE FALL

Barbara (Bowland) Groves enjoying Fall in Chapleau

Bill Groves has once again provided some of his amazing photos from the Chapleau area -- the awesome wonder of Chapleau in the Fall  By Bill Groves. Thanks Bill

BILL GROVES PRESENTS AMAZING SELECTION OF BIRDS FOUND IN CHAPLEAU AREA

BILL GROVES has provided an amazing selection of birds that he photographed in Chapleau and area. For me, it was hard to believe that so many lived there. CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE!

  Thanks Bill.