Pavilion Dedication - Sunday, May 23, 2010
It turned out to be a beautiful day for the dedication of the
new Picnic Pavilion at the Jordan River Watershed Center. The
pavilion, constructed with donations from Elizabeth Proulx and
family and the Pray family and FOJ. Betty Proulx envisioned a place
where children can participate in activities in the summer safe from
hot sun or drizzle as she did when she was a child.
In addition to
picnic facilities, the pavilion houses a display of an authentic
Flat-bottomed River Boat that used to guide tourists and fishermen
to the upper Jordan. The boat was donated to the Friends of the
Jordan by the Pray family in memory of Dr David Pray. It is a
reproduction of the boats used on the river by Pray, Teddy Kotowich
and other founders of the Friends of the Jordan. It was built by Andre Poineau as a gift for Dr Pray from his wife and daughters. He
is pictured using the boat at the age of 80. Thora Kotowich and
Teddy Kotowich Jr. gave some insight into how the boat was used to
transport fishermen up the Jordan for trout fishing from the 1940s
through the 1970s. Peggy Midener talked about being a young wife
during that time period and the healing power of the river on the
men who had survived the horror of WWII. It offered a respite from
memories of their service and injuries both physical and emotional
that they sustained. An Ice Cream Social with the works topped off
the celebration on this hot spring afternoon. The pavilion and the
Watershed Center may be reserved by community groups for events by
contacting the Friends of the Jordan.
In addition to
picnic facilities, the pavilion houses a display of an authentic
Flat-bottomed River Boat that used to guide tourists and fishermen
to the upper Jordan. The boat was donated to the Friends of the
Jordan by the Pray family in memory of Dr David Pray. It is a
reproduction of the boats used on the river by Pray, Teddy Kotowich
and other founders of the Friends of the Jordan. It was built by Andre Poineau as a gift for Dr Pray from his wife and daughters. He
is pictured using the boat at the age of 80. Thora Kotowich and
Teddy Kotowich Jr. gave some insight into how the boat was used to
transport fishermen up the Jordan for trout fishing from the 1940s
through the 1970s. Peggy Midener talked about being a young wife
during that time period and the healing power of the river on the
men who had survived the horror of WWII. It offered a respite from
memories of their service and injuries both physical and emotional
that they sustained. An Ice Cream Social with the works topped off
the celebration on this hot spring afternoon. The pavilion and the
Watershed Center may be reserved by community groups for events by
contacting the Friends of the Jordan. 
