“Coffee At the Lakeview with Lesia”
Rhonda Bobinski
33, High School Visual Arts Teacher, professional artist
| The imagery of this
banner
shows a modern day Lakeview surrounded by a plethora of coffee
cups. Coffee is spilling out of a coffee cup, creating a river of
coffee. In the foreground is a young Lesia Dayneka, only 15 or 16 at
the time, who had just finished a shift at the Lakeview and was on her
way home. This image reflects the history of the district by focusing
on Lesia Dayneka. One night at an art club session, I asked Lesia
how old she was the first time she went to the Lakeview. She recalled going skating on Howey Bay when she was around 6 years old, and then being given just enough money to get a hot cocoa at the Lakeview after her skate. That was over 65 years ago. |
 |
I am personally connected
to both
Lesia and the Lakeview Restaurant. I worked at the Lakeview for 4
summers, raising money so that I could continue university
studies. I developed a friendship with Lesia during my time
there, since she goes to the Lakeview regularly. We had
many coffee conversations
about
art, local gossip, relationships, family and the like.
Lesia was also a waitress at the Lakeview.
I think that the flowing
river of
coffee not only symbolizes the conversation that Lesia and I have had
over the years, but also shows the variety of people that have come and
gone from the restaurant, sharing their stories, having good
conversation, developing friendships, relationships and strong
memories.
The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre is a charitable organization, funded by the Municipality of Red Lake and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. Reg # 87315 2714 RR001
