Dedicated Volunteers and Interns Infuse Energy and Heart at Thinkers Lodge
Video of Teresa Kewachuk, recipient of Sovereign's Medal - CTV Atlantic
N.S. teacher awarded national honour for work at historic Thinkers Lodge
CBC Interview with Teresa Kewachuk, Monday, June 9 , 2014
I grew up here in Pugwash. When I was finishing university, Donnie Jamieson asked if I wanted to work at the Lodge, so I bought a nursing uniform. This was 1989, the end of the Cold War. I was studying anthropology and then I went into education. I asked Ramon Bourque and then Mrs. Eaton if I could listen to the discussions during the conferences. The Russians, the Americans, the French were all working here to try to come to some agreement. What I remember is the conference attendees were very genuine. One of my fondest memories would be to stand in the dining hall and watch the delegates. I always memorized what they wanted for breakfast. The gift of being here was meeting people on a very human scale. When people come, they say there is something about this place. That was the magic of it. There wasn’t any press. They were free to speak.
I think it's important to teach the students to be proactive on the little things that they can do. There's a saying if you don't stand for anything, you fall down. If you don't know your history, you tend to put pressure on the next generation. If you plug into the news stories, you will get depressed.
When I first met Joseph Rotblat, he was a very gracious gentleman. He was gracious and sincere. I do think that the scientists stopped World War III. I think the scientists found their humanity here. I think the scientists from behind the Iron Curtain could move freely here in Pugwash. I think the phrase remember your humanity comes from Bertrand Russell first.
Sandy Butcher said, "Very pleased to finally meet Teresa - she not only ensures Thinkers Lodge National Historic Site runs smoothly with a great team of people, but she also does so much to help students (including our own ISYP students) better understand the legacy of what happened here - and she has 2 wonderfully playful dogs who know how to have fun."
N.S. teacher awarded national honour for work at historic Thinkers Lodge
CBC Interview with Teresa Kewachuk, Monday, June 9 , 2014
I grew up here in Pugwash. When I was finishing university, Donnie Jamieson asked if I wanted to work at the Lodge, so I bought a nursing uniform. This was 1989, the end of the Cold War. I was studying anthropology and then I went into education. I asked Ramon Bourque and then Mrs. Eaton if I could listen to the discussions during the conferences. The Russians, the Americans, the French were all working here to try to come to some agreement. What I remember is the conference attendees were very genuine. One of my fondest memories would be to stand in the dining hall and watch the delegates. I always memorized what they wanted for breakfast. The gift of being here was meeting people on a very human scale. When people come, they say there is something about this place. That was the magic of it. There wasn’t any press. They were free to speak.
I think it's important to teach the students to be proactive on the little things that they can do. There's a saying if you don't stand for anything, you fall down. If you don't know your history, you tend to put pressure on the next generation. If you plug into the news stories, you will get depressed.
When I first met Joseph Rotblat, he was a very gracious gentleman. He was gracious and sincere. I do think that the scientists stopped World War III. I think the scientists found their humanity here. I think the scientists from behind the Iron Curtain could move freely here in Pugwash. I think the phrase remember your humanity comes from Bertrand Russell first.
Sandy Butcher said, "Very pleased to finally meet Teresa - she not only ensures Thinkers Lodge National Historic Site runs smoothly with a great team of people, but she also does so much to help students (including our own ISYP students) better understand the legacy of what happened here - and she has 2 wonderfully playful dogs who know how to have fun."
Jenna Rushton is a nineteen-year-old from Oxford, NS. She recently completed two years at Nova Scotia Community College and will be attending Mount Saint Vincent University in the fall to study her third year of Business Administration. 2015 is Jenna's second summer at the lodge. This year, she will be working as the Programs Manager at the lodge and is a member of the Thinkers Lodge Infrastructure and Scheduling Committee.
Georgina Eagleson, a pre-medical student in Scotland, is an intern at Thinkers Lodge. She is pictured here with her mother, Jasmine, who also volunteers tirelessly giving tours and organizing events like the bonfire gathering of Pugwash high school students with the International Pugwash Students.
Quintin is an intern at Thinkers Lodge during the 2015 summer. His grandmother, Violet Williams, explained in an interview in 2010 how important it is for the young to know about Thinkers Lodge and for them to take responsibility. Quintin graduated from high school in June and will be studying Engineering in the fall.
In 2014 Jacqueline Lemay was a summer intern from Vienna, Austria, and has just completed her second year of archaeology at the University Of Glasgow. She will be spending three weeks volunteering at Thinkers Lodge and learning about its history, as well as that of Pugwash.
In 2014 Carly Morrison, a local girl, returned to the Thinkers Lodge for her second summer after finishing her first year at St. Thomas Universtiy. This year she was working as Program Officer promoting and organizing school tours, visits from the public, as well as planning and organizing other group events. In 2013 she attended the PeaceMakeHers camp at the lodge and now helped to plan the 2014 PeaceMakeHers camp. She was also in discussion with the Canadian Pugwash group to help organize an event in 2015.
Elizabeth Eaton with brother John Eaton, a Pugwash Park Commissioner.
In 2013 for 7 weeks, Elizabeth Eaton graciously volunteered her time and coordinated programs, supervised interns, toured guests, hosted weddings and kept Thinkers Lodge running smoothly. She met with organizers of PeaceMakeHer Camps. Her presence graced the Lodge. Elizabeth has always sought to bring peace to her surroundings.
Jenna Rushton and Carly Morrison pictured standing
Cathy Eaton and Jacqueline Lemay pictured seated
The 2014 summer interns (Jenna, Carly, and Jacqueline) have been busy giving tours, getting the dining hall ready for functions, setting up the gift shops, contributing photographs and films to our archives, and getting Thinkers Lodge ready for the summer season.
Cathy stayed for three weeks to continue the oral histories and meeting with Teresa Kewachuk's Global History students at the high school to incorporate their interviews into our website.
Cathy also cleaned out the interior of the Gate House (formerly called the Staff House). We hope that funds can be raised to restore this building. Perhaps it can be used for retreats for artists or writers who would be inspired to create as they absorb the beauty of the Northumberland Straits.
Cathy Eaton and Jacqueline Lemay pictured seated
The 2014 summer interns (Jenna, Carly, and Jacqueline) have been busy giving tours, getting the dining hall ready for functions, setting up the gift shops, contributing photographs and films to our archives, and getting Thinkers Lodge ready for the summer season.
Cathy stayed for three weeks to continue the oral histories and meeting with Teresa Kewachuk's Global History students at the high school to incorporate their interviews into our website.
Cathy also cleaned out the interior of the Gate House (formerly called the Staff House). We hope that funds can be raised to restore this building. Perhaps it can be used for retreats for artists or writers who would be inspired to create as they absorb the beauty of the Northumberland Straits.