NORTH SHORE—The Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR) fundraising cruise to Louisa Island aboard North Channel Cruise Line’s The Grand Heron included plenty of laughter and fun activities, and music courtesy of Mexican musician Ricardo Chavez (there and back again), as well as line dancing once the vessel reached its destination on Louisa Island and the passengers debarked.
Suzanne Norris, one of the seven board of directors members of MFR, offered closing remarks as the vessel drew close to its return to the Port of Little Current. “It is my pleasure and honor to be here tonight,” she said, before introducing the other board members aboard. “Yana Bauer is at the back, Maya Bauman, Meredith Morris and Jillian Peltier. Margaret Alberti is also a member as well as Lindee Lynn Sproule, but they couldn’t be with us tonight.”
“As a board of directors for a not-for-profit organization, we typically work behind the scenes doing mostly governance policies and procedures, and other things that aren’t so exciting. But I just want to remind everybody, as we’re behind the scenes, the face of our organization is our executive director, Colleen Hill.”
“I also want to thank all the staff and volunteers who may or may not be here with us,” said Ms. Norris. “We celebrate our community partners for coming together to support our organization. Your generosity will help keep our women’s shelter doors open, ensuring safe haven for those escaping difficult situations.”
“It will stock our food bank shelves and it will strengthen our children’s services, giving young people the support they need to thrive,” continued Ms. Norris. “Tonight’s success is the result of months of preparation, from securing this venue, to organizing volunteers, reaching out to sponsors and bringing all the pieces together. I want to take this opportunity to thank Meredith Morris and Maya Baumann, two of our board members who took the lead on tonight’s events. Thank you so much. It’s been a scramble, but well worth it. We had a full house tonight. Also, I’d like to mention several businesses were instrumental in making this happen. Our main sponsors are Rolston Realty, North Channel Cruise Lines and Prepped Manitoulin. Other sponsors who are being recognized tonight are the Anchor Inn Hotel, Island Home Outfitters and Sally Still. We see these businesses time and time again supporting events in our community, and I just want to mention that their commitment to our community does not go unnoticed to everyone here.”
“I also want to thank all those who attended this evening’s event,” said Ms. Norris. “Thank you so much. Thank you for opening your hearts and your generous donations and thank you for proving once again that when our community comes together, we can make a profound difference.”
“Julia Ann, Hope and Maddie are deck crew members tonight,” said Captain Chris Blodgett. “I’ll be helping with the meal service and taking care of you guys and in both directions out to Louisa Island and back. It will take us just a little over an hour to reach Louisa Island.”
“There will be a stretch that it could be a little bit windier than you’re seeing in here, where we might experience a little bit of wave action,” cautioned Mr. Blodgett. “But that should be pretty short-lived and we will be back into the protection of the cove at Louise Island where we’ll be tying off to our dock and giving you the opportunity to get off of the boat and go explore the island.”
In the event, the crossing was hardly that noticeable and the vessel soon arrived at its destination.
Once there, the beef on a bun, corn salad, hot potato salad, cheese and vegetables made for a great meal, catered by Prepped Manitoulin.
Passengers were able to eat either on the cruise ship or onshore, seated in one of the many Muskoka chairs lining the beach before heading up to the large party tent erected on the top of the hill and line dancing or exploring the beaches and trails on the island.
Captain Blodgett explained where the lifejackets are located and assured all of the passengers could be accommodated in The Grand Heron’s lifeboats. Passengers were advised to gather in the front section of the vessel in the unlikely event of an emergency that would require evacuation.
The Grand Heron weighs in at an impressive 107 gross tonnes and measures 75’ long by 30’ wide and floats on three large hulls—a factor that makes it remarkably stable in any sea condition, which explains why the crossing was relatively unbothered by the choppy waters.
The Grand Heron began her service life in 2007 as a state-of-the-art vessel equipped with a full pantry, liquor license and a spacious layout with capacity for up to 100 passengers. Mr. Blodgett explained that, on most cruises, the capacity is limited closer to 50 passengers to allow for greater comfort.
This was the second such large fundraising trip to Louisa Island, part of which Mr. Blodgett had purchased and is currently developing as a destination for his cruise tours.
“It’s a work in progress and probably will be for the rest of my life,” laughed Mr. Blodgett. The trails have been roughed out and over the next few seasons, North Channel Cruise Lines intends to conduct a lot of landscaping and planting of flowers and other plants to enhance the experience of his visitors.
A more permanent set of washrooms is also in the works, as well as a covered space to take the place of the current party tent.
Both crossings, to Louisa and back to the Port of Little Current, were filled with laughter and lively conversations as the passengers enjoyed what their $150 contributions to MFR got them in style. As the sun set over the La Cloche Mountains, passengers could be seen taking photographs or just enjoying the outstanding view of the North Channel—a few on the top deck of the vessel could be seen mimicking the famous Titanic scene with arms outstretched in the breeze.
The crew and attendants on the vessel were attentive to their passengers’ needs and did so with broad and friendly smiles.
The entire trip took five hours, leaving the docks at Little Current at 4 pm and arriving back just before 9 pm.
