- This event has passed.
February 26 HPS Meeting
Heritage Port Stanley
Annual Meeting
Thursday, February 27, 2026 – 1:30 p.m.
Port Stanley Festival Theatre
Attendance: 28 members
Chair David Russell opened the meeting at 1:30 and welcomed everyone.
Nora Sanders shared the land acknowledgement.
Adoption of the Minutes – January 29, 2026
Moved by June Ayrhart and seconded by Margi Cole that the minutes be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Anne Kent presented the treasurer’s report. Current balance in the general account is $1926.22 with two GICs of $4000 and three GICs of $1000.
Moved by Barb Cookson, seconded by Bronwyn Fitz-James that the report be adopted as presented.
Motion carried.
Executive Update
Nora noted that she and David will be presenting the group’s heritage videos at a Lunch and Learn on March 19 at Port Stanley United Church. Everyone is welcome.
She also spoke about the new Municipal Grant available and advised that an application will be submitted to support several initiatives, including the walking tour brochure, oral histories, and heritage signage. This will help spread the word throughout the community.
Anne Kent and Ted Halwa have completed revisions to the walking tour brochure and will soon be preparing both a website version and a new printed edition.
Annual Memberships
Members who have paid their 2026 memberships will receive their cards at the March meeting.
Heritage Question of the Month
What fish could only be caught by locals in March or April at night?
Answer: Smelt. Helen Albert won the mug, although many members knew the answer.
Tentative Future Meetings
| Date | Location | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 26 | PSFT | Agnes Hepburn Papers | Sally Martyn |
| April 23 | PSFT | The McKee Treaty and Local Indigenous History | Nora Sanders |
| May 28 | The Mill | History of the Mill | John Smith |
| June 25 | Mitchell House | History of the Mitchells | Joan Clayton |
Heritage Announcements
Craig Cole noted that a working group is reviewing the postcard collection and that anyone is welcome to participate. Members interested in joining are asked to contact Craig, Nora, or Janice Mann.
Ted Halwa expressed concern regarding the incline rail cars, as the future of the St. Thomas Railway Museum is uncertain. This matter will be looked into further.
Sally Martyn encouraged members to attend the Central Elgin Council meeting on Monday, March 2 to sit in the gallery in support of saving the designated portions of the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital. Several group members will be speaking.
Heather Emerson is researching the military history of Port Stanley citizens and welcomes any information members may have. Sally mentioned that local churches have honour rolls listing members who served in the two World Wars.
On Saturday, March 7, the Sparta & District Historical Society is hosting its annual potluck supper and games night at the Sparta Church Museum. There will be crokinole, as well as board games and cards. Potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. (bring your own dishes and cutlery and one food item to share), with games to follow.
Feature Presentation – Netting the Waters
The movie featured excellent historical photographs of the early days of fishing and the “fish wars” on Lake Erie, followed by an overview of modern commercial fishing practices on the lake. Members learned about the use of gill nets for pickerel and yellow perch, and troll nets for smelt.
For those unable to attend, the film is available online at: https://nettingthewaters.vhx.tv/
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Next Meeting: March 26 at 1:30 p.m. at Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Secretary: Sally Martyn
Chair: David Russell