Why an Interview,,,

Over the years we have been able to meet and talk with some very interesting people. They have shared with us their knowledge and have provided us with a great deal of insight as to how and why festivals and events work and why they are so important to our communities and to the Province of Ontario. With this in mind, we decided that we wanted you to meet and hear from some of the wonderful people who work so hard to provide us all with such wonderful Ontario Festivals and Events! We are pleased and proud to present "THE INSIDE SCOOP"!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Interview with David Brunelle (Part Two)


David Brunelle
Project Director
Southern Georgian Bay War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee

Without hesitation Dave replied “Sergeant James Keating” otherwise known as “One Gun Keating”. James Keating was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery. He was skilful in the handling of a British field gun forcing the Americans to surrender Fort Shelby on the upper Mississippi in July, 1814. He later became Fort Adjutant at the military base in Penetanguishene. He was a prominent figure in the community and, as a promoter of public education, he has the James Keating Public Elementary School in Penetanguishene named after him. I wondered at this point if Dave Brunelle had a nickname. As a matter of fact he does, “1812”. Anyone who knows Dave in his local community knows him just as “1812”. Dave’s football jersey number is “1812”. When signing raffle tickets at his local curling league, instead of signing his name, he just signs “1812”. Perhaps being known as “1812” is less confusing for folks in the community as there is another Dave Brunelle in town. Our Dave told me that he is known at History Dave and the other Dave Brunelle is known as Basketball Dave (as he is coach for the local team). History Dave gets cheques in the mail frequently for basketball tournaments among other mail and phone calls for Basketball Dave. One time there was a full page article in the newspaper about a basketball summer camp in town with History Dave’s photo. History Dave is tall and athletic but not the correct Dave. To this day the two Dave’s have not met. The story is funny, but what is truly apparent is how serious Dave Brunelle, “1812”, “History Dave” takes his “hobby”. I hope you get to meet up with him in the field some day! He is a very, very interesting “Character”!

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