CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Aug. 3, 2018
On Aug. 3, the Pontiac Historical Society held its annual barbeque fundraiser for the museum it operates in on rue Lake in Shawville.
Posting up downtown, right outside Joanne’s Valu-Mart, the group of volunteers served up hamburgers and hotdogs to passers-by.
Historical Society President Chris Seifried explained that the money raised goes towards keeping two summer students employed at the museum during the week.
“The money is pretty useful for us,” he said, explaining that the students are partly funded by the federal summer jobs program. “It helps keep it open five days a week, and we think that’s pretty important.”
He added that in a community like the Pontiac, there are many people with deep roots in the area who enjoy learning about their ancestors.
This year, the two students-turned-curators are Jennifer McCagg and Simon-Gabriel Côté-Ryshpan, who were volunteering in the afternoon. Both said that they had applied because of a love for history.
“Pontiac history is unique,” added Côté-Ryshpan. “There are people here from all over.”
Though the fundraiser was solely in support of the Museum, Seifried noted that the organization tries to host a variety of events throughout the near, like the book launch they hosted in July for local historian Michael McBane.
He was pleased with how the day had turned out.
“People here are very supportive and generous with their donations,” he said.
