By Haldimand Press Staff
DUNNVILLE—Paddles of the Grand celebrated one year since its inception at The Minga on Saturday, November 26, 2022.
The community was invited to come out and meet the people behind the project, including organizers Gina McIntee, Frances Porter, and Tamara Lovegrove. The three explained how their skills come together, with Lovegrove focusing on the organizational aspects, Porter bringing in her digital saavy, and McIntee offering her artistic skills. Paddles of the Grand thrives on team work, only being possible because of the whole community coming together. First, Dunnville Secondary School students craft the paddles alongside other local woodworkers.
Dunnville Secondary School principal Geoff Stead attended the event with his wife Jen to view some of the newest paddles on display.
“I think it’s important for us to be connected and for us to give back,” said Principal Geoff Stead, noting the need for the kids to see their work reflected in their community.
Residents at Edgewater Gardens then sand and prep the paddles for painting and a local blacksmith stamps the paddles with the group’s Blue Heron logo. Finally, the paddles are distributed to local artists across Haldimand to paint, with a focus on bringing attention to the importance of our local waterways.
“Water is life,” said McIntee, noting that protecting our water is of utmost importance. The paddles themselves represent both the importance of our waters and of working together, as more paddles rowing means an easier journey for all involved.
Paddle artists include Andrea Thompson, Lisa Kostelny, and Chris Carvalho.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s great to be creative and the community is involved in the whole process,” said Thompson. Kostelny said how great it is to have made new friends through the project, while Carvalho said, “I’m not really an artist but it’s fun. It’s really nice to be involved.”
Participating artists include Andrea Thompson, Lisa Kostelny, and Chris Carvalho. —Haldimand Press photos by Kaitlyn Clark.
In its first year, Paddles of the Grand has painted over 500 paddles, not including the several paint-your-own paddle nights they have hosted. Individuals can purchase a paddle for $100 and businesses can purchase a paddle for $130, with costs only covering the cost of production. Newly announced, the Dunnville BIA will be sponsoring banners along Dunnville’s streets that will feature the paddles painted for local businesses. These banners are expected to arrive next spring.
“I just love how the community actually makes every paddle,” said Lovegrove. “I can’t believe how much it’s blown up. A painted paddle has become this huge thing.”
“It’s very inspiring that we’re all supporting the Paddles of the Grand – whether you’re purchasing a paddle, painting a paddle, sharing a post on Facebook,” said McIntee, “because behind that paddle is a community and there’s always room for anybody else that wants to get involved.”
