Fire destroys home but not islander’s spirit

Not even a broken furnace could dampen the warm spirits on a cold March night at the Grand Manan Curling Club, where about 60 residents gathered for what was billed as "an evening of thankfulness," hosted by Wayne Green. The surprising thing is that on March 1 Green lost everything in an early‑morning fire that destroyed his home. A passerby glancing across the harbor at Woodwards Cove thought he saw something amiss, went to investigate and ended up rousing Green to get him out of the burning building. He escaped with his pajamas and his cat.
Green is far from the typical fire victim. In the wake of tragedy, many benefits have been organized by islanders to support those facing hardship. The March 19 gathering, featuring music, poetry and much cheerful joking, was organized by Green himself as a way of thanking those who have helped him.
"It really touched me," he says, of the support he's received. Never having seen the island's volunteer firefighters in action, he says, "When I was standing out in the snow with a pair of crocs on, I didn't appreciate what firefighters meant to the island till then. They went in, not knowing if the floor was solid, and brought out pictures of my kids. Stuff you can't replace." In an interview, he added that having worked hard for what he had, he's never "been without" before, and he feels blessed by the donations that have come in. "[Since the fire] the spotlight's been on me. Now I want to spotlight everyone in the room. Can I thank the firefighters? Never enough. Can I thank everyone? I'll try. This is not about feeling sorry for Wayne; this is about islanders helping islanders. I wanted to give something back to the island."
Green's sister Brenda Sewell read her poem "Islanders Helping Islanders," which was the theme of the evening. "Sooner or later," she read, "we'll all need one another." The accordion she played had its own story of people helping. The old and much‑loved instrument she often played at the nursing home recently broke down. A Kijiji ad brought a response from a man in Toronto, Ont., who buys and sells accordions; he found her one in Thunder Bay and paid for it and for the shipping to Grand Manan.
"It's a miracle," Sewell says of Green's survival. "I'm so thankful to have my brother." She read a Bible verse from Isaiah: "When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you," and then noted that "not even the cat's tail was scorched." She surprised him with a painting by a cousin, Tracy Green -- done that afternoon -- of a man walking through a fire carrying a cat. "It looked just like that," Wayne Green says.
Donna Landry, another sister, also read a poem. Musical performers included Owen Steel, Harley Cary, Bev Joy, Mitchell Brown and Jon Billings, who also emceed.
The focal point of the evening was Green's expression of thanks to his island angels. He credits Caleb Benson, who reported the fire and woke him, with saving his life, and gave him a painting by Mike Field. Next, he presented the fire department with an engraved plaque praising their work. Esme Zwicker, who initiated social media support and organized fundraisers and auctions, was next. "She just flew with this," Green said. Finally, with much joking and audience laughter, he thanked Sewell for opening her house to him, and he presented her with a pair of smoke detectors.
Zwicker says the Rotary Club has established a fund, and she has been coordinating personal donations and online auctions. She and 10B15 volunteers helped set up and provide food for the evening. She met Green when she started working at Island Arts Café, and she says, "He was so kind to me. He helped us build our house, so when he lost his, we just had to help."
Green says he's kept a list of all the people who have donated things. Summing up the evening, he said, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, the way the island has come together."
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A carpenter and fisherman, Green also needs to replace all his tools so he can get back to work. Donations may be made through the Grand Manan Rotary Club or by contacting Esme Zwicker through <www.facebook.com/groups/1607725109461089/> or 506-321‑4466.