It’s often said it takes a village to organize a fundraiser. In Manotick, that village came together in spectacular fashion for the inaugural Founders’ Table.

Long tables, almost as far as the eye could see, stretched between Watson’s Mill and Dickinson House. They were decorated with flowers, faux candles and hanging lights, creating a warm, family-like feel.

There was also live music throughout the night from a trio of stringed musicians and vocalists.

Some 200 attendees gathered, many wearing top hats and fascinators, for Thursday’s outdoor dining experience that celebrated the history and community spirit that have shaped Manotick for more than 160 years.

The Founders’ Table was a unique outdoor dining experience held in support of Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square in Manotick on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Canterbury High School student Annabelle Gordon, 13, accompanied by her father, Kris Gordon, at the inaugural Founders’ Table dining experience in support of Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square in Manotick. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Founders’ Table was a unique outdoor dining experience held in support of Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square in Manotick on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The event, created by the Manotick BIA in partnership with local restaurants, raised funds for Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc., the charitable organization responsible for preserving and operating the historic mill and Dickinson Square. It only took about a week for the event to sell out, said Manotick BIA executive director Kelly Bélair.

Behind the scenes, marketing coordinator and culinary director Tim Wasylko worked with 692 Coffee & Bar, The Mill Tavern, Garvin Barbecue, Angelina Italian Eatery, Heist, Manotick Place Retirement, Black Dog Bistro, TrueCrust and Pizza All’Antica to prepare and serve a five-course meal with a palate-cleansing course and dessert. All the wine was provided by KIN Vineyards. Josh Bishop also served oysters during the cocktail reception.

Among the sponsors in attendance were Italfoods owner Frank Adamo, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa president Christine Crump and her team, Avant-Garde Designs owner Sharon Bosley House, BirdDog Design founder Lissa Constantine, Kelly Funeral Homes by Arbor Memorial general manager Luke McEachnie, and others.

From left, Tammy McMullen, vice president of marketing at Hard Rock Casino Ottawa, and its president, Christine Crump, supported the Founders’ Table fundraiser for the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square, held Thursday, June 4, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Attendees applaud Manotick BIA executive director Kelly Bélair (green dress) after she was publicly recognized during the welcome remarks at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Crystal Adamo and Frank Adamo, president and owner at Italfoods Inc., which was a major sponsor of the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square in Manotick. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Kris Gordon, chair of the Manotick BIA and a board director with Watson’s Mill and Dickinson House, welcomed attendees to the inaugural Founders’ Table. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sharon Bosley House, owner of Avant-Garde Designs, with her daughters Madison and Saxon in front of the Sipsters (a play on sisters) mobile tap truck at the Founders’ Table unique outdoor dining experience in Manotick. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Phil Mechura, sales manager at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and Luke McEachnie, general manager in Ottawa of Kelly Funeral Home/Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery, at the Founders’ Table in Manotick. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The culinary team behind the Founders’ Table, which saw local restaurants serve a multi-course meal to 200 guests outdoors in front of the historic Watson’s Mill in Manotick. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Attendee Bill Tupper, a longtime and highly respected member of the community, was struck by what organizers had managed to accomplish.

“I did not know what to expect,” Tupper told CiTC before praising organizers for “pulling off” a large outdoor supper, no problem. “The community demonstrated tonight that it is full of talent.”

Now 92, Tupper served as the Conservative MP for the riding during the Brian Mulroney era in the 1980s, and earlier held roles as both councillor and mayor in the 1970s. These days, he’s better known for portraying Moss Kent Dickinson, who built Watson’s Mill on the Rideau River with Joseph Currier in 1860.

From left, former politician Bill Tupper, Ruth Mills, Watson’s Mill Manotick board president Shannon Giust and Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dickinson later served as mayor of Ottawa during the Confederation era, while Merrill Currier became one of the city’s most influential lumber barons. He built the mansion that became 24 Sussex Drive, perhaps Canada’s most famous unoccupied home.

Tragically, Currier’s wife Ann died in the mill after her dress became entangled in the drive shaft of a turbine. Local lore holds that her ghost still roams the property.

Today, Watson’s Mill continues to produce flour using traditional methods, preserving one of the few operating heritage mills in Ontario. It is also one of Manotick’s main tourist attractions, with its picturesque location.

Tupper was seen chatting with his friend Bruce Fanjoy, the Liberal MP for Carleton. Fanjoy had taken him for lunch on Parliament Hill the day before, followed by a tour of the House of Commons.

Fanjoy attended the dinner with his family, including wife Dr. Donna Nicholson, a cardiac anesthesiologist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and their two children, Ottawa lawyer Adrienne Fanjoy and son Ben Fanjoy, who works for a Montreal-based technology startup.

Attendees also included George Darouze, the Conservative MPP for Carleton, in impressive Victorian-era attire. He gradually shed layers as the evening went on, which was not surprising given the less-than-comfortable nature of the period clothing.

From left, Preslea Jane, Ben Fanjoy, Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy and his wife, Dr. Donna Nicholson, and daughter Adrienne Fanjoy at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

George Darouze, the Conservative MPP for Carleton, arriving to the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

According to Kris Gordon, chair of the Manotick BIA and a board director with Watson’s Mill and Dickinson House, the dinner was “designed to celebrate our past while showcasing the incredible creativity and talent that exists in our community today.” At the same time, the event also raised funds to help preserve and restore Dickinson Square for future generations.

Last year, it was learned that the City of Ottawa intended to divest Dickinson House and the Carriage Shed. “Like many in the community, our initial reaction was concern,” said Watson’s Mill Manotick board president Shannon Giust. “These buildings have stood at the heart of Manotick for generations and there was uncertainty about what the future might hold.”

What happened next spoke volumes about the community, she added.

“Residents, volunteers, local businesses, heritage supporters and community organizations came together around a shared belief that the future of Dickinson House and the Carriage Shed should remain tied to Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square, preserving the integrity of this historic site for future generations.”

Today, the small nonprofit is preparing to assume ownership of Dickinson House and the Carriage Shed, with the transfer anticipated later this summer. “What began as uncertainty has become excitement and optimism,” said Giust. “The community has made it clear that these buildings matter and that preserving them for future generations is a responsibility worth embracing.”

As she told the crowd on Thursday night: “Places like this are important because they connect us to where we come from, they give communities identity, character and a sense of belonging. They remind us that history is not something we read about — it is something we continue to protect and build together.

“Tonight is a celebration of that spirit.”

Attendees also included ZAC Vanier BIA executive director Nathalie Carrier, who hosts a similar fundraiser, Partage Beechwood, on the grounds of Beechwood Cemetery each August. Last year, Belair and Giust attended to see how Carrier does things, knowing they’d be launching their own outdoor dinner. Wasylko also embedded himself with the chefs in the makeshift kitchen area at the cemetery.

“They were on reconnaissance,” joked Carrier, who was happy to see others embrace the outdoor dining concept and borrow a few ideas. “The more events like this, the better.”

The connection between the two events runs deeper than outdoor dining. Moss Kent Dickinson is buried at Beechwood Cemetery, while Joseph Currier was among the cemetery’s founders.

From left, Nathalie Carrier, executive director of the ZAC Vanier BIA, and BirdDog Design founder and lead designer Lissa Constantine at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Scott MacLennan, Ottawa-based Canadian photographer Michelle Valberg, visual artist Leanne Cusack and storyteller/videographer Joel Haslam at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Bill Carroll, host of “The Morning Rush” on Newstalk 580 CFRA, jokingly avoided the paparazzi at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser in support of Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips.

Bill Carroll, host of “The Morning Rush” on Newstalk 580 CFRA, emerges from hiding at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser supporting Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips.

The Founders’ Table was a unique outdoor dining experience held in support of Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jim Watson, whose father Harry Watson was former owner of Watson’s Mill, in conversation with Bill Tupper at the inaugural Founders’ Table outdoor dining experience. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Amber O’Brien, Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy, Watson’s Mill Manotick board president Shannon Giust and Alina Sauve from Black Forest Tattoo Co. in period costume for the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The inaugural Founders’ Table, held Thursday, June 4, 2026, featured live music throughout the evening. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Dan Dunlop, CEO at Inquisitive Intel, and Katharyn Humble at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Cathy Steele, middle, at the inaugural Founders’ Table fundraiser held in support of the historic Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Founders’ Table was a unique outdoor dining experience held in support of Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law and Prime Benefits Group.
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