I'm skipping a massive amount of effort here, work done at Artcast. The video, in the first minutes, gives you a bit of an idea of the amazing skill required at the foundry.
By the end of May, 2005, the extensive landscaping and installation was done, placed in Stewart Park, Perth, Ontario. Click here for the street view.
There was a huge event planned around the unveiling. There was a day-long open house at Millar Brooke Farm that included the RCMP Musical Ride. My 88 year old Mom was there, thrilled with the show. Cousins, an elderly aunt, neighbours, in-laws, my brother, nieces and nephews were all in attendance. It was hard to know where to put a little attention.
By the end of May, 2005, the extensive landscaping and installation was done, placed in Stewart Park, Perth, Ontario. Click here for the street view.
There was a huge event planned around the unveiling. There was a day-long open house at Millar Brooke Farm that included the RCMP Musical Ride. My 88 year old Mom was there, thrilled with the show. Cousins, an elderly aunt, neighbours, in-laws, my brother, nieces and nephews were all in attendance. It was hard to know where to put a little attention.
and, of course, Ruth and Jean Abernethy were there. I sort of thought 'this is our day', given all the support that came with us.
Had to show some family. It's raining a bit, so nephew Luke is under my arm, Thomas nearby. These two are now way over 6 feet, but Big Ben and I remain the same, steadfast.
The big moment. Ruth, Jean and I are standing at the front of the crowd, holding our collective breath. This is our moment. Speeches will be required. Oh, wait, this event was about Big Ben. It's hard to remember that, given how close our faces were to that surface for so long.
Lynn and Ian Millar look on. There were long speeches by dignitaries from around the world. I'm hoping that the onlookers were remembering the many triumphs of Big Ben and Ian. I'm sure Lynn was remembering that, as well as the endless hours of love and support that she gave her family.
The Makers: from right to left, Marcus Knoespel, me, Jean Abernethy, Ruth Abernethy and Holly Atkinson from Artcast, one of the great pairs of hands at the foundry.
It was a funny moment, the actual unveiling. Ruth, Jean and I were poised, with some trepidation, on the front edge of the crowd, watching the cover come off. Lots of applause. Breath held, is this our moment?
Thus, the unending lack of understanding about what we were doing. That feeling might have been mostly mine, not being a horse person. I'll have to ask Ruth about unveiling her portrait of Ocar Peterson with the Queen in attendance. She might have had a similar experience:
The cover came off. Applause, long speeches from many dignitaries. No mention of the artists or the foundry.
Perhaps, for my Mom's sake, I wish there had been a wee nod. Still, I suppose I never made a wrong move, in my Mom's eyes, so it didn't matter. This was Big Ben's day. Ian Millar and Millar Brooke's day.
Thus, the unending lack of understanding about what we were doing. That feeling might have been mostly mine, not being a horse person. I'll have to ask Ruth about unveiling her portrait of Ocar Peterson with the Queen in attendance. She might have had a similar experience:
The cover came off. Applause, long speeches from many dignitaries. No mention of the artists or the foundry.
Perhaps, for my Mom's sake, I wish there had been a wee nod. Still, I suppose I never made a wrong move, in my Mom's eyes, so it didn't matter. This was Big Ben's day. Ian Millar and Millar Brooke's day.
Perth, Ontario, a beautiful small town with an enormous heart. I can't end this saga without expressing my admiration for this community.
There are a few Big Ben links that I have not mentioned before:
The Big Ben Memorial Trail, with kudos to all the amazing volunteers
The Big Ben Memorial Trail, with kudos to all the amazing volunteers
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