Rhyming riddles offer clues to Canton's Brown Bear Ramble
Oct. 13—CANTON — A little bit of rain did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of dozens of children who roamed downtown Canton last Saturday for the official opening of the Brown Bear Ramble.
The Brown Ramble is a permanent art installation sponsored by the Canton Free Library. Doreen L. Radway, who taught second grade at Hermon-DeKalb Central School for many years, brought her idea for an active literacy-based art project to the Canton Village Board of Trustees in March of 2022.
In Just 18 months, Radway, Canton Free Library Director Emily Owen-Hastings and a group of volunteers raised the money, had the bronze statuettes cast based on the classic children's book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" and installed in various locations downtown, creating an immersive scavenger hunt activity.
"I had many sleepless nights," Radway said at the opening day celebration. "I am extremely pleased with this turnout."
A light but steady rain last Saturday forced the organizers to move the activities from the village park to The First Presbyterian Church on the Park and the Canton Free Library.
Children and parents filled the indoor space as Maureen Maiocco, SUNY early childhood program director, led the group, which included 25 SUNY Canton and Hugh C. Williams High School honor students, in a Brown Bear Rap.
The students led activities for the children in the church and at the library. Each child received a goody bag, and there were cookies based on the book at the library.
Maiocco said that "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin and Eric Carle, is perfect for young children, even those in infancy.
Eric Carle, she said, calls himself a picture writer and his artwork, which is made from layered tissue, is appealing to children.
Maiocco said she is an Eric Carle fan and will teach a class in his work next semester.
"This is a way to make literacy a fun activity," Maiocco said of the art installation.
Hastings said she was amazed at how quickly the project came together.
"That was Doreen," Hastings said.
Hastings said all the money for the project, more than $25,000, was raised locally. There were no state or federal grants used.
The statues have been placed in 11 locations downtown. A brochure with a map and clues has been published and is available at the Canton Free Library. Brochures will also be available at the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the TAUNY Center, the Canton Historian's Office, and the Municipal Building. An online version of the map will be available soon.
The clues are in the form of rhyming riddles.
"On Court & Pearl, there's a small park where you may have sat. There you'll see a box of books, and look, there is a cat," reads one clue.
Some statues are fixed to the ground, some on walls and other objects.
"Some are going to be easy to find and some are a little harder," Hastings said.
Wellsculpt Foundry created the statues in Esperance.
An exhibit curated by Mathilde 'Tilly' Frances Lind, TAUNY director of programs and research, and Jerald "Tam" Iverson shows the process of creating the bronze castings. The exhibit is upstairs in the Folkcenter.
Lind and Iverson visited the artists in Esperance and the exhibit includes photos of the process, clay and wax models, and one of the plaster molds.
"I am extremely happy to see the way it all came together, Mayor Michael E. Dalton said. "What a great way to have fun in the community."
Radway said they are still raising money for the project to establish a fund to maintain the statues, which will require annual waxing and buffing.
To donate to the project, send a check to the Canton Free Library, 8 Park St., Canton, NY 13617, with "Brown Bear" in the memo, or donate online at Cantonfreelibrary.org.
