Juniper Community Centre celebrated, and volunteers feted on the 10th anniversary of its successful transformation
A decade ago, the residents of Juniper could have accepted defeat when their efforts failed to keep the Juniper Elementary School open. Instead, they held their heads high, worked together and turned a now-former school into the heart of the community.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, Juniper Community Centre board members, volunteers, community residents, visitors and special guests gathered to celebrate the centre’s 10th anniversary.
A large crowd — including the Honourable Brenda Murphy, New Brunswick’s Lieutenant Governor, and her partner, Her Honour Linda Boyle, Carleton North Mayor Andrew Harvey, Coun. Angel Connor and Tobique-Mactaquac MP Richard Bragdon — celebrated the success story and paid tribute to the volunteers who made it possible.
“I’m so impressed,” Lt.-Gov. Murphy said after a tour of the centre. She spoke to the crowd gathered under and around the big tent erected behind the centre for the celebration.
While acknowledging Saturday’s visit was her first time in Juniper, Murphy said her partner Linda visited friends in the community several times.
“Linda and I are delighted to be here today,” she said.
As someone from small-town New Brunswick, the Lieutenant-Governor said she recognizes the importance of community-based initiatives and volunteers.
“Volunteers are the lifeline of communities like this,” she said.
Murphy praised the centre, noting all it offered to visitors, including the second-hand and knick-knack shops.
Over the past decade, the Juniper Community Centre revitalized the former school, offering a meeting area, special-event space, breakfasts, lunches, shops and an attractive tourist destination.
The efforts of the board and the community volunteers became the central theme of the celebration, which included live music from Melissa White and Friends, free burgers, hot dogs, corn and anniversary cake and children’s games and activities.
Board Chair Jessie Cosman thanked fellow volunteer board members and the many community members who made the centre a success story.
“Nothing can be accomplished without our loyal community members, so in reality it is you we’re celebrating here today,” Cosman said.
Bragdon echoed the views of all special guests.
“The strength of our rural communities is the volunteer base,” the MP told the River Valley Sun before reiterating it during his short speech to the families on hand.
Mayor Harvey noted his close connection to the former school and its rebirth as vital to Juniper’s community spirit. The former Carleton-Victoria MLA recalled that one of his first duties as a provincial government member involved transferring ownership of the provincial building to the newly formed community board for one dollar.
“It was a dollar well spent,” Harvey said.
The mayor recalled his days attending school in the building, noting how Saturday morning’s tour brought back memories of classrooms, teachers and fellow students. He noted that one of his former classrooms is now Millie’s Tea Room.
Harvey praised the community centre’s homage to Juniper’s history, including the sculpture of Fred Grant’s Fly standing tall in front of the building.
Built by local artist and businessman Mike Cummings, the Grant Fly stands as a tribute to the late Fred Grant, a renowned fly-tier, fishing guide, trapper, furniture maker and artist. The oversized sculpture of one of Grant’s fishing flies also recognizes the sport and economic importance of Juniper’s location next to the Miramichi headwaters.
“It’s important we recognize who came before us,” said Harvey.
The Juniper area’s council representative, Angel Connor, joined Mayor Harvey and other special guests to present the Juniper Community Centre board with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the District of Carleton North.
Connor, who recalled attending Juniper Elementary School in the building, congratulated all past and present board members for their efforts.
