Glen Hartle, LJI Reporter

The Bryson Grand Calumet Fire Department (BGCP) hosted its annual poker run event on Saturday, with just over one hundred all-terrain vehicles venturing out into the warm and sunny day to follow the run’s planned route on Calumet Island and collect all cards needed to complete a poker hand.
“It was so cold last year. I was wearing my bunker suit [the suit used in fighting fires] – this year I got to wear my uniform,” said organizer and volunteer firefighter Kelly Nitschkie.
“This run was a fundraiser for the department and the success will help us deliver on our mandate,” Nitschkie said, while jubilantly adding, “It was an amazing day.”
Vehicles started out at Berard’s Store in Tancredia and spent the bulk of the course on the island using GPS coordinates to help guide them. At each checkpoint stop, participants collected playing cards in sealed envelopes.
The Lions Club in Bryson acted as the final stop on the run where participants handed in their sealed envelopes, which were subsequently opened to reveal a poker hand. Participants then had the option of swapping out a single card at a cost of $5 to improve their hand.
“When we do a fundraiser like this, it goes a long way in helping us get the equipment that we need,” said Assistant Fire Chief Jason Beaudoin.
“We are a small fire brigade and often the regulations that come down have financial obligations that make it difficult for us to keep up.”
The first place prize of $400 went to Christa Kelly, with Kaitlyn Zimmerling coming in second and Dominic Rousseau taking third.
“I have to thank the firefighters,” Beaudoin said after handing out the awards, making special mention of the new Firefighter 1 training program underway at École secondaire Sieur de Coulonge.
“When these kids come out of high school, they are technically certified firefighters and can start fighting fires in our municipalities.” (Firefighting training for Fort Coulonge students a first in Quebec, The Equity Nov. 2023).
Beaudoin then handed over the reins to the volunteer musical entertainment for the evening, The Dukes of Charteris, with his final words of, “It’s time to party.”
The band consisted of Bill Miron on drums, Robert Wills on guitar and vocals, Thomas Fishel on saxophone and vocals, and newcomer Clifford Welsh on bass and vocals.
And entertain they did with a robust collection of classics, all adjusted for their brand of country charm. Miron was a joy to watch on drums as he animated his way around the various tunes and Fishel kicked things up a notch with both his saxophone and collection of harmonicas. Collectively, they brought music to every corner of the hall and feet to every inch of the dance floor.
The Lions Club played perfect host, providing the hall complete with a chili supper. President Betty Leach welcomed attendees, Melanie Beriault and Barb Sparling ran the canteen, and Relics Leach took care of kitchen duties, which included cooking up a big pot of chili.
Some scant six weeks after their last big event, The Fireman’s Ball, the Bryson Grand Calumet Fire Department lived up to its reputation for hosting must-attend community events, and the Lions Club once again stepped up to show that they are an integral part of that community.