FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2016 43 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2017 43 the Miller farm for broken and fallen oak branches that could be used for making flutes. Stephen found some branches that had possibilities. From the branches, Stephen carefully fashioned three Vimy Oak flutes in his Greenbank workshop. Two of the flutes are conventional flutes but the third is a specially crafted, fork-shaped “drone flute.” Inscribed on this flute are a poppy, an acorn, a maple leaf and the dates of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It took dozens of hours to create each flute. Stephen commented, “WhencraftingtheVimyflutesIspentalotoftimethink- ing about Ryan and the journey he was embarking on, and Monty McDonald and his connection and commitment to theVimyOaksandtherepatriationtoFrance.Ialsothought about Leslie Miller and his simple act of collecting acorns as a remembrance of the place called Vimy and all that goes with that, and with his connection to the land and his father. In turn, that made me think of my relationship with my own late father and the many gifts and values he passed on to me. “ Once completed the flutes were placed in a specially crafted box and mailed to Ryan in Calgary. Ryan opened the box in a nationally televised event at the Military Museum in Calgary, right in front of the Vimy installation. Ryan took the flutes to Vimy for the 100th anniversary remembrance in April. After playing the flute at Vimy, where 3,600 Canadian soldiers lost their lives including six men from Scugog. Throughout April, Ryan played the Vimy flute at special services in cemeteries in France, Belgium and the Netherlands where Canadian soldiers are remembered. Assisted by the Canadian Government, a Vimy Edu- cation Centre is being built at the Vimy Memorial in France. Trees from the Vimy Oaks project will be planted outside the centre. Ryan is now using Stephen Rensink’s Vimy flutes in special presentations around the country. No more Vimy flutes will be made. Stephen commented, “I have expe- rienced a tremendous amount of joy and pride in being part of this process.” The flutes that Stephen lovingly crafted in his work- shop in Greenbank will be a constant reminder of the sacrifice paid by so many Canadians in the cause of peace and freedom. By Paul Arculus, Focus on Scugog The Garry Oak, unique to British Columbia, sent to Stephen for making a flute. Here he is in the process of making the flute from the the Garry Oak. Stephen plays us a tune from a flute made of caribou horn.