By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Two turtles in a canoe have arrived in Rondeau, albeit with a little help.
The pair, each offering a friendly wave, is showcased in a 6,000-pound carving created by Bothwell chainsaw artist Mike Winia.
A joint project between Chatham-Kent and Rondeau Joe’s owner Paul Trudell, the white oak sculpture was officially unveiled last week. The larger-than-life piece now marks the entrance to the restaurant.
According to Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, he and Trudell came up with the idea when brainstorming about nine months ago. Winia was looped in and started the drawings.
The mayor said the Rondeau carving is just the beginning.
“This is part of a much bigger picture,” Canniff told folks gathered to see the reveal. “We’re going to be rolling out 15 of these in 15 different communities in Chatham-Kent. We’re hoping to have them done by the end of this year.”
Ridgetown and Wallaceburg are next on the list, he said, as each community is celebrating their 150th birthdays this year. The goal is to have both pieces installed by the end of June.
Plans are also in the works to “break some world records,” with future pieces, Canniff said, with a special carving to be located on Highway 401.
The carvings are meant to be interactive, kid friendly sculptures, he added, to provide a host of fun outdoor photo opportunities.
Canniff said C-K business and downtown areas will be tied to the new pieces as a way to encourage people to visit and take part in a municipal-wide art carving tour.
“The idea is to attract people to all the communities in Chatham-Kent,” he said. “People are going to be coming to Chatham-Kent to see these things.”
The carving itself was a team effort. Winia created the snapping turtle at the rear of the canoe, with Carving Kings artists Jacob and Paul Frenette sculpting the northern map turtle in front. Shaped out of wood sourced in Chatham-Kent, the sculpture pays homage to the dozens of turtles who regularly congregate in the water beside Rondeau Joes.
Winia, a world-renowned carver who works in woodlot management, said creating something for Rondeau was special for him. His grandfather Elmer Winia worked in forestry at Rondeau and the younger Winia “grew up” in the park.
“A lot of my education about nature and woodlands came from the park,” Winia said.
In preparation for the nature-themed art, Trudell cleaned up weeds on the boulevard, built a new fence and put down a cement pad.
“I had to clean it up anyways and it’s a good spot,” Trudell said, adding he thinks the sculpture turned out “amazing.
“I think people are really going to enjoy it.”
Rondeau Joe’s and adjacent Turtle Cove Marina, which Trudell also owns are turtle-friendly, as Trudell has built a ramp for turtles to get out of the water and sun themselves.
Funding for the wooden art comes from the Hydro One Community Fund, with help from private sponsors such as Trudell.
The Rondeau installation marks the re-start of the carving tour idea that fell flat last year when a large crow, also carved by Winia, was unveiled in downtown Chatham.
Critics said the crow was an affront to the Black community, and the sculpture was removed.
According to Canniff, officials are “cognizant” of what happened in 2024, and future carvings will shy away from topics that could cause controversy.
“Turtles in a canoe waving. That’s OK.”
