For the past 10 years, the Remembrance event at the Orillia Public Library has developed into an educational and interactive experience for students and citizens alike.
More than 800 students are registered to attend this year, though it will be the last one.
“I want to retire in a few years, and there’s no one staff that will take this on,” said Jayne Turvey, the library’s community services co-ordinator, who organizes the popular and important annual event.
“We’ve been at it so long now, it’s time to rest,” said Carl Black, who has been involved since the first year.
He has also noticed the number of volunteers decrease over the decade.
With her passion and drive, Turvey is the only library staff member who works on the project. Black and local historian Dave Town volunteer to help with displays and interpretations.
“She’s one of the most awesome people I have worked with,” Black said of Turvey.
Planning for months in advance, Turvey and volunteers even work from home “to make sure it goes off without a hitch,” she said.
Black and Turvey brainstorm ideas to make different dioramas and displays each year.
“He’s building a landing craft right now for the D-Day exhibit,” Turvey said of Black.
“The students get to see some stuff that they probably only see in video games,” added Black.
Town has been captivated by history since he was a teenager. He has been working with Turvey for 15 years on different projects. He describes the Remembrance event as one that reminds him of Canada being lucky to experience this time of peace.
“A lot of people made some big sacrifices for us to live this lifestyle,” he said.
The event started with 25 posters of local soldiers. After adding a little bit at a time, more than 100 posters now line the lobby walls at the downtown Orillia library.
“It’s surprising to see how young so many of them were when they died,” Robert Huften said as he read the stories along the windows, on display since October.
Turvey’s personal project, Dieppe Blue Beach: Every Man Remembered, is a result of countless hours of research. From contacting family members to sifting through old records, Turvey aims to honour all of the local soldiers from the First and Second World Wars.
The first year of the event, in May 2014, Turvey set up 25 posters of local soldiers in a room at the library.
“When people arrived at the door, I would hand them a replica World War 1 postcard with a name on the back, and they had to go see what happened to their person,” she explained.
More than 1,000 people attended, so she was asked to repeat the event for Remembrance Day and invite students.
“I always say, ‘How do you expect students to remember if they have nothing to remember?’” said Turvey.
The many generations that now separate people from the events of both wars makes it even more important for her to teach.
The exhibits now distinguish Indigenous people who fought in the wars, the British Home Children whose stories include sacrificing their lives despite years of systemic abuse, and those who were killed in action.
The Remembrance event has received provincial recognition — the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence — but Turvey still doesn’t know what to expect each year because “it’s not a ticketed event,” she explained.
What has helped her to maintain dedication to this event? She loves seeing how much students enjoy learning. She also cherishes interacting with the community.
She described how numerous people have identified family members photographed as soldiers, based on her research and exhibits every year. At first a little doubtful, it became clear to her that they are most often correct.
“That’s my wife’s grandfather,” one library visitor said as he looked at the posters on Friday. “I wonder if she knows that’s here.”
Some items are displayed every year, such as the glass case exhibiting artifacts to honour the Orillia Younkers, a hockey team that went to war.
Turvey smiles thinking about the piqued interests of the younger students.
Every year, the Remembrance event is a bit different. This year, the Royal Canadian Air Force’ 100th and the D-Day 80th anniversaries are being commemorated.
Between Nov. 5 and 9, the library will host a number of activities for students and the general public. The event is a way to pay respects and learn about local and world history.
“People are losing touch with the reality and emotion of it, unless someone like Jayne puts the reality into perspective,” said Town.
“I’m not sure if people will miss (the event) or someone else will step up to put something together. It is important, though.”
Turvey is particularly excited about the focus for Nov. 9. It’s an extra day, she explained, with a special presentation.
Two performances by the Scarborough Theatre, in half-hour sessions at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m., will take place. The group will travel to Orillia as a thank-you for the annual event and will sing songs from the production You’ll Get Used to It.
“It tells the story of these boys who all think that they’re going on an adventure (for war),” said Turvey.
The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, which enlisted the Orillia boys, and the air cadets will also be present in full uniform.
Turvey and volunteers believe the banners along Mississaga Street and posters honouring local soldiers will be displayed in following years. However, the interactive activities and educational content for students that the team organizes are not planned for the future.
