Little Forks Branch reports - for United Empire Loyalists

Page 26 of 30
2011 Fall
T
o some the winter months may seem to be a quiet time but for Little Forks Branch this time is spent
collecting dues, forwarding cheque and Per Capita Dues to Dominion Headquarters and fund-raising
– which is very crucial to the operation of the Little Hyatt One-Room Schoolhouse.
Reports were filed and much assistance was given to eight members trying to prove their Loyalist decent.
The ledger was prepared for our Chartered Accountant and Charitable Returns filed.
The schoolhouse was opened in May for an Executive Meeting with the Compton Historical Society
holding their first meeting on 04 June. President Bev Loomis and husband Milt attended the UELAC
Conference and AGM in Brockville that was capably hosted by the Col. Edward Jessup Branch and was a
great success. Everything went off as scheduled and the weather co-operated! The Thousand Islands
Dinner Cruise was one of the highlights of the convention along with Little Forks Branch having their
ticket drawn representing first place in the Membership Challenge that covers the increase in membership
in 2010.
Due to winter damage, the screening on the Interpretation Panel located on the school grounds, had to be
re-printed and re-installed in preparation for the tourist season.
The lawns are meticulously kept, the area around the millstone refurbished and the field has been mowed
four times in preparation for erecting the Tent. At the present time we are waiting for cooler temperatures
and a great weather forecast before replacing the cedar shingle roof on the schoolhouse.
We were unable to participate in Friendship Day activities held in Lennoxville as it conflicted with the
dates of the UEL Conference but we plan to be present at the Lennox Pulse Street Festival being held on
27August and Townshippers Day on 17 September.
By Bev Loomis UE, Branch President
2012 SPRING
T
he Little Hyatt One-Room Schoolhouse was prepared for many exciting happenings over the summer
months. Many visitors stopped by and were welcomed to view the classroom along with the
collection. The Compton Historical Society continues to use our Loyalist Meeting Room for its meetings.
The Interpretation Panel continues to have many visitors, some being former residents of the area, who are
always so delighted to read about the history of the area that they left. They tell us that the panel makes
them feel proud to have lived in such a vital area. CEGEP and university students who are pursuing their
history course are also overwhelmed with notable history along with the many pictures that we have
collected. The Guest Book is signed by visitors from across Canada and the United States.
Editor's Note: CEGEP is an acronym for Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel,
which is literally translated as “College of general and vocational education” but
commonly called “General and Vocational College” in circles not influenced by Quebec
English. It refers to the public post-secondary education collegiate institutions exclusive to
the education system in the province of Quebec in Canada. It is a loanword from Quebec
French.
We continue to increase our membership in Little Forks Branch but, like many other Branches, it is
difficult to get ahead when we lose members due to death. I, personally, have worked with many over the
past six months to help them find the missing link back to their Loyalist ancestors. What is interesting is
that many are from the United States.