Kincardine urged to recognize Eldon Humphreys as Phantom Piper visionary

Keith Davidson wants the Municipality of Kincardine to put a bronze plaque on the Huron Terrace bridge, recognizing Eldon Humphreys as the visionary for the Phantom Piper atop the Kincardine Lighthouse.

In committee-of-the-whole Monday night (Jan. 10), Davidson brought his proposal forward, asking for the municipality to fund the plaque and that it be ready for unveiling on Canada Day.

He told council that Humphreys died in Guelph, Nov. 2, at the age of 84.

“He was my friend and former neighbour,” said Davidson. “Born and raised in Kincardine, he joined the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) after high school and spent 10 years with the Air Force before deciding to join the OPP. He achieved the rank of chief superintendent, and retired back to his old hometown of Kincardine in 1990. He and his wife, Carol, then moved to Guelph in 2003 to be closer to family.”

Prior to retiring, Humphreys searched for a hobby that would take him through retirement, said Davidson. “He was not a golfer and although he and Carol had a place in Naples, Florida, he needed something more to keep him going. He found his new calling in 1983 when he discovered the art of caricature carving.

“For many years, he and Carol travelled across the United States for him to attend classes by well-known caricature artists. He perfected his craft and became one of the foremost caricature woodcarvers in Canada and the U.S. In 1996, he was inducted into the Caricature Carvers of America and is the only Canadian member.”

Davidson said it was Humphreys’ vision to have a piper atop the Kincardine Lighthouse, to pipe down the sun on summer evenings.

“He told me one time that he got the idea while in Florida when a piper would be on his beach every night and pipe the sun down,” he said. “He took his idea to the municipality, the BIA (Business Improvement Area), and the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band through pipe major Basil McCarthy, and his idea became a reality. This past summer, was the 25th anniversary of the Phantom Piper.”

This is why Davidson wants to see Humphreys honoured with a bronze plaque on the Huron Terrace bridge where people congregate to listen to the Phantom Piper play.

“The plaque would not be just about Eldon, though,” he said. “He would be recognized in the first couple of paragraphs for his vision, and then the story would enfold all about what has transcended for 25 years – a special success story all about the Phantom Piper and the Kincardine Lighthouse.”
 

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Eldon Humphreys' carving of the Kincardine Lighthouse with the Phantom Piper atop it; photo courtesy of Keith Davidson
 

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“This is fascinating Kincardine history,” said councillor Bill Stewart. “I totally support this.”

“It’s important to brag about our history,” said councillor Doug Kennedy. “I also support this.”

“Isn’t there already a bronze plaque about the Phantom Piper near the lighthouse?” asked councillor Maureen Couture.

“That talks about the Legend of Donald Sinclair, written by Eric Howald,” said Davidson. “This would be a tribute to Eldon and tell the story about how the Phantom Piper came about.”

Strategic initiatives manager Lorie Fioze, in correspondence with Davidson, had suggested his proposal go to the arts, culture and heritage committee for a recommendation to council.

However, Davidson wanted it to go to Brad Kirkconnell and the Canada Day committee.

“First off, I can’t believe you have to be vetted to speak to council,” he said. “I used to work for the municipality until I retired 25 years ago. I had to go through three people just so I could come and speak here tonight.

“I’ve worked on a lot of these bronze plaques and raised a lot of money for them. Now, I’m calling in my dibs. I could raise money for this but I’m getting old. I would like this to go to the Canada Day committee. I don’t want to go through all kinds of hoops to do this. I just want your support so we can move forward, and I’m asking you to pay for it through the contingency fund.”

“You make a good point,” said Stewart, “we’re getting caught up in process. Let’s do this. I don’t believe anybody would object to it; we should approve this tonight.”

“I have no problem with sending this to committee and have a recommendation come back to council,” said councillor Dorne Fitzsimmons.

“Arts, culture and heritage is the appropriate committee,” said Couture. “The Canada Day committee looks after Canada Day.

“I know how hard you’ve worked, Keith. This shouldn’t be drawn out. Send it to arts, culture and heritage and get a report back as soon as possible.”

“The last mural went through that committee and we didn’t get final approval on it,” said Stewart.

“They weren’t looking for approval from council,” said mayor Gerry Glover. “They needed to deviate from our policy.”

Committee-of-the-whole agreed to send Davidson's plaque request to the arts, culture and heritage committee, with a report back to council as soon as possible.