What began as a small family ritual honouring Ray Boutin's dad, Lionel, quickly became an evening celebration which allows the Boutin family and others to honour their loved ones and at the same time, to support local charities. Carlyle's Prairie Dog Drive-In will host its second annual Lionel Boutin & Friends Memorial Night at 8 p.m., Saturday, June 4, and Ray says, “Everyone is welcome. It's the way my dad would have wanted it.”
Ray, his wife Frances, and daughters Janelle and Simone-along with other members of the Boutin family-will be in attendance at this year's gathering, as well as the drive-in's original owner, Mabel Perobec and “our special friend, Rita Germain,” says Ray. “The gates will be open at 8 p.m. That night's movie is Disney's 'The Jungle Book'-a real feel-good, family film. At intermission, we'll pause the show for a little dedication. Janelle and Simone will provide the music and for those who want it, a picture of their loved one will be projected on the screen. Then, with the help of Carlyle's volunteer firefighters, we'll all light Chinese lanterns in memory of our loved ones, let them go, and watch them soar.”
“We personally, as a family, have found that lighting and releasing lanterns to honour special people and things in our lives is something that is quite meaningful to us,” says Frances Boutin. “The response we had last year showed us that it's something that other people like to do, too. So we're happy to share our family tradition with others and make it an event for the entire community.”
“After Dad's celebration of life, we lit a lantern for him at our farm,” says Ray. “We thought it would soar, but it sputtered away and hardly left the farmyard. It was like he didn't want to go. But when we sent one up in his honour last year at our first memorial dedicated to him at the drive-in, it just soared.”
Frances describes her father-in-law as a “fixture” at the Prairie Dog, adding: “Ray's dad loved being at the drive-in and people really loved having him there, too. He sat at our little table at the front with a pop and popcorn and would chat with all the folks and visit with them. That's a big part of where the idea came from-remembering Lionel at the drive-in. He was somebody special and we all have special people in our lives who have passed away. So we're glad we can share this night and make it a community thing. It just seemed like a good fit.”
“Lionel really liked hanging out in the theatre,” says Ray. “He got such a charge out of it and he was an awesome greeter at the gate. He was also quick to get on our case if the line-up got too long,” he adds, laughing.
“My dad was gregarious and had no problem approaching anybody. He wasn't shy or intimidated by anybody. And he'd be honoured by and would really enjoy having his picture up on the big screen.”
“There's so much to say about my dad,” says Ray. “If it wasn't for him, we may not have even taken on the theatre. But he was a very tenacious, persistent, 'build it and they will come' kind of guy-and he really imparted it to us kids. He really encouraged us every step of the way.”
“Last year, close to 100 lanterns went up,” adds Ray. “People were really touched and it was probably one of the most feel-good evenings of the season. People came from all over-we had people from Estevan, from north of Hwy #1, from Manitoba, and of course, lots of people from our area and lots of people from the lakes.”
“We were overwhelmed by the response, actually. And I like to think that Lionel would have been smiling because we'd filled the place.”
The 2nd Annual Lionel Boutin & Friends Memorial Night takes place on Saturday, June 4 at the Prairie Dog Drive-in on Hwy #9, north of Carlyle Gates open at 8 p.m. and memorial lanterns are available for purchase at $5 each. All proceeds will benefit the following local charities: The Mya Fehrenbach Memorial Fund, Kenosee Boys and Girls Camp, Friends of Moose Mountain Lodge, and Carlyle Fire and Rescue. All funds will be matched by participating sponsors.
To honour a loved one by projecting a photo of them on the screen during the ceremony, please email the photograph along with the individual's name and memoriam dates to: [email protected] by Wednesday, June 1.
