Community members gathered at the Roseisle Memorial Garden on the evening of Oct. 9 for a special unveiling ceremony celebrating the installation of a new bronze sculpture that embodies the garden’s enduring mission — “remembering our past for the sake of our future.”
The sculpture, titled Grace, is the work of Manitoba artist Jake Goertzen. The piece depicts a barefoot child in a dance pose, symbolizing joy, innocence, curiosity, freedom and grace. With her face tilted toward the morning sun and her ears turned toward the garden’s bubbling rock feature, Grace invites visitors to pause, reflect and take in the tranquil surroundings.
Goertzen said his nine-year-old neighbour, who takes ballet lessons, served as the model for the sculpture. “I chose to have Grace barefoot because she’s a country girl,” he told those gathered. He also credited the late Clifford McPherson — the local metal craftsman behind the garden’s original wild rose monument — for inspiring his work and other artists in the province.
Committee member Margaret Neumann joined Goertzen in unveiling the statue before a crowd of supporters, volunteers and residents. The ceremony concluded with hot beverages, donuts and conversation among guests.
The addition of Grace marks the continuation of a vision that began in 2011 when Grant and Diane Gillingham, inspired by a memorial rose garden in Somerset, proposed creating a similar space in Roseisle. The RM of Dufferin granted use of the former rail yard property in perpetuity, and landscape architect Heather Cram — a former Roseisle resident — designed the garden layout.
Since the first rose was planted in honour of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Beggs, the community’s first postmaster and namesake, the garden has grown to include 168 roses dedicated to individuals who helped shape the town. Over the years, it has become known as “the crown jewel of the RM of Dufferin,” a title coined by former reeve George Grey.
Though the garden faced a major setback in 2025 after an outbreak of rose rosette disease led to the loss of more than 100 rose bushes, volunteers rallied to restore the space. New perennials such as hostas, lilies, hydrangeas and potentillas were planted, and the remaining 65 roses continue to bloom.
For Gillingham and the garden committee, the unveiling of Grace represents a new chapter — one that honours those who came before while inspiring future generations to reflect on community, resilience and remembrance.
“Those who design, develop and keep the garden are the link between past and future,” Gillingham said. “Ultimately, the garden is for future generations who, by visiting, will learn of those who built and kept this community.”
