Big Rock in Louis Dube Peace Park plays important role in memories of growing up in Chapleau

The Big Rock. Photo by Adelaida Duffney

The "Big Rock" located in the Louis Dube Peace Park  was anything we put our mind to making it out to be when we were kids growing up in Chapleau. Over 65 years later, to me at least, when I am reminded of it, the Big Rock still plays an important role in my memories.

Recently, Adelaida Duffney, posted some Peace Park photos, and noted the Big Rock drawing it to my attention. 

Thanks Adelaida for the photos. 

Adelaida at Louis Dube Peace Park

I think my lifetime friend Harry 'Butch' Pellow who died in December 2016, summed up the importance of the rock to us in an article he wrote about it a few years ago: "It was a dry gulch, a mountain top, a cliff, a destination, a point of arrival and a lookout.  In fact it would be anything we put our mind to making it out to be.

Butch at CHS reunion 2012

"In the early mornings as the sun rose low from the east with dew on the grass it had a crystalline appearance that quickly faded as the shadows shortened, and by evening it was dark and foreboding.  We hid from passersby and calls to dinner from whatever origin in the east of downtown and from the river to lower town. "

Big Rock some years ago

It was our place to play for hours on end, and when I have been back in Chapleau, it is a place I visit, sitting on the rock quietly reflecting on my childhood years. We never actually had time to play there again except from the mothballs of memory. 

Butch and I circa 1948 heading to Big Rock

Over the years it has evolved into the peace park and in 2015 was renamed the Louis Dube Peace Park, in honour of Mr. Dube who spent countless hours caring for the park. What a wonderful contribution to Chapleau it is, a place of great beauty along the Nebskwashi River, and all involved in caring for it deserve utmost congratulations.

Mr Dube at renaming of park

Never did it enter my mind that my favourite place to play with my friends as a child would become a major Chapleau tourist attraction.

One thing leading to another, as it usually does, I visited the Township of Chapleau web site and right away noted the comment, "Chapleau is a place where anyone can become lost in their passion."

Adelaida

Let me give you a personal example. When I was home for the launch of 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' in 2015 which I co-authored with my cousin Michael McMullen, I wanted to visit the Big Rock and Peace Park, as part of a back lane and back yard tour of the community --- my side of the tracks only. We lived on Grey Street, where the big tree in the yard was blown over just recently. That tree is a story for another day.

The "other side of the tracks" is too where my grandparents Lil (Mulligan) and Harry Morris lived.

Adelaida Duffney photo

My plan was to walk, but another lifetime friend Ken Schroeder decided to come along and suggested we drive so off we went up and down lanes and streets. Ken has a better memory of who lived where but it was a wonderful journey and we ended up at the peace park having shared memories of growing up including many laughs about good times.

I agree with Reynolds Price, the American writer that "the sound of story" is essential in our lives. Indeed it is. My thanks to Louis Dube, and all those who lovingly care for the peace park (what an appropriate name) and to Adelaida Duffney for sharing her photos reminding me how important the sound of story is!   My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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