John Walsh spent some time with folks at Caressant Care last month when he held an informal fireside chat about the history of Arthur Cenotaph and Memorial Park. ?In December of 1918, Rixon Rafter, editor of Arthur Enterprise News, began a newspaper campaign to gather support for the idea of honoring both returning soldiers and those who died fighting in World War I. In response, wives, mothers and friends of soldiers formed The Women’s Memorial Association. ?First the association bought the plot of land at the corner of George and Frederick Streets. Some folks initially opposed to the idea because the site had previously housed livery stables but the women prevailed. ?The dedicated group held fundraising dinners, teas, bazaars and shows. By 1923, the association had raised enough money to fund the building of the memorial. Local stonemason, Ed Doherty built the monument which was designed by architect J.M. Gibson. What made the monument notable and distinct was the use of local fieldstone as building material -- unusual for the time period. ?On August 1, 1923 the official unveiling was held. Mrs. David Brocklebank was given the honour. The service was two and a half hours in length and attended by school children, politicians, church members and residents. Soldiers marched from the town hall. ?In 1930, The Women’s Memorial Association gave ownership of Memorial Park, along with a generous sum of money for upkeep, to the town. Improvements to the landscape were made in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada on July 7, 1927. Memorial benches donated on behalf of the local Dutch community in celebration of the 25th Anniversay of the liberation of Holland were added in 1970.  The 1995 Homecoming Committee placed a plaque with the inscription “Canada’s Most Patriotic Village”. Arthur Legion has placed four plaques honouring those who served in World War II. Walsh said there are plans in the works to erect a statue or other memorial in honour of The Women’s Memorial Association. ?At the conclusion of his talk, Walsh passed around several photographs. The ensuing discussion was lively and memories and stories were shared.?“We’ll have to take more note of our surroundings when we sit in the park in summer with our ice cream,” said Katherine Young, Activity Aide.