THE BUTTERFLY MAN by Barney Moorhouse
In the late 1990s I attended an Outdoor Writers Conference in Waterloo, Ontario. I had signed up for a photographic excursion to see some of the more interesting sites and hoped to pick up some tips to improve my craft.
I was summoned by an announcement to meet one of the organizers who informed me that I was the only writer who had signed up for this outting and, in fact, the guide had died. Would I be interested in visiting the Wings of Paradise at the Butterfly Conservatory?
And so I met John Powers. For those with longer memories John Power used to write outdoor columns in the Toronto Star – on Wednesdays and Saturdays I believe – and he had an encouraging style that inspired this columnist over four decades ago.
“I used to get his mail at times,” John Powers told me. Native to Cambridge (formerly Galt) Ontario John G. Powers has been “captivated by the magnificence of butterflies and other insects for over forty years.” I wrote that circa 1999.
Born on February 28, 1950 Powers said that, “We didn’t have an allowance when we were kids, but my dad gave me a butterfly net and said, ‘Butterflies are free.’”
In fact what was Powers’ avocation became his vocation. But not at first.
For starters Powers taught elementary school for five years then moved on to police work. As a member of the Waterloo Region force he became friends with a Milton police officer, Jim Unger, who readers may recall went on to create the very funny Herman comic series. I still have some of those books.
Collecting butterflies and insects made Powers a globe trotter. Ultimately he is credited with writing children’s books and three world class travelling exhibitions – The Incredible World of Bugs, Flying Jewels and the Wings of Paradise exhibit.
“What is the connection between Queen Elizabeth, Mohammed Ali, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Pope Paul 11, Roger Whittaker, Steve McQueen, Anne Murray, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Dionne Warwick, Rita McNeil, Glen Loates, and (Whitney, Ontario’s) Michael Dumas?” asked Powers.
“Butterflies.” During his career Powers presented his creations to over 125 world personalities such as those mentioned.
“Remember, ‘Float like a butterfly; sting like a bee?’ That was Ali.”
Powers would send a butterfly to each person and in return each person would send a signed note of appreciation. He was even commissioned to create a collection for the Mohammed Ali Museum.
When Perry Como crooned, “I get a heart full of butterflies looking into your dreamy eyes,” Powers just had to send him a butterfly.
“Dear John,” wrote the singer, “my wife Roselle and I just love the ‘Flying Jewels’ in their beautiful frame. Thank you so much…” Signed – Perry Como.
A crowning achievement was creating the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, a year round facility called the Wings of Paradise. He was also consulted on the creation of other such butterfly facilities such as the one at Niagara Falls.
“I created the name Wings of Paradise by using two of my friend’s (Roger Whittaker) songs – Paradise and Wind Beneath My Wings.”
When my wife and I entered the 15,000 square foot sanctuary warmly dressed in our winter wear we were met by an air temperature of 24-28 degrees C. It was a while before our glasses and cameras adapted. Thousands of butterflies were fluttering, flitting and floating about the jungle-like atmosphere. A 14-foot waterfall accompanied by appropriate flora and fauna completed the habitat as four chameleons and several button quails feasted upon the deceased butterflies and active insects.
“Bring lots of film for the photo op” I wrote in those pre-digital days.
I first saw John behind a wall of glass in a room monitoring the metamorphosis of butterflies each emerging from their chrysalis. As he worked with the butterflies he described his dreams and told me that this facility also housed his world class collection of butterflies, moths and bugs from all over the world. (In later life he was known for his travelling Orkin Bug Show.)
The site covered 100 acres which included outside summertime gardens and a series of trails throughout the woodlands. “They are the only creatures on earth that don’t bite, don’t hurt, don’t infect and don’t carry any disease. They just spread happiness.”
John’s dream was to create a wholesome family environment where all may find beauty, relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of our natural world. Perhaps, one might speculate, a glimpse of the original Garden of Eden.
In 2001 the OWC sent me to Prince Edward Island to the Scout Jamboree which featured astronaut Marc Garneau. When a giant of a man followed by many scouts passed by my booth like a pied-piper I asked a local trapper that I had befriended who he might be.Hilton told that it was Michael Smith a local television chef celebrity. As I recall Jackalin O’Brien, Bill’s daughter, was there with the Bancroft Scouts as well. While wandering the beach I encountered a group from Waterloo who, as it turned out, were also associated with the Wings of Paradise. An ever shrinking world.
I don’t know if the person who was to be my Waterloo guide really died but I do know that meeting John Powers certainly enriched my life. What’s that old saying ? – “When one door closes another opens.”
I last met John at the International Centre in Toronto at a kitchen show in 2013. You can imagine travelling to Toronto to see kitchen displays was high on my bucket list. Soon after we entered the building my wife spotted John at one of his Orkin Bug Show display and we had a pleasant chat. However, John’s display was very popular and he told me to call. Which I did – to no avail. Evidently John was a very busy and popular man and just couldn’t find the time.
John Powers died November 5, 2019 at the young age of 69. One can only wonder where his collections have gone.
AND FINALLY…
John liked to say that Henry Ford may have been wealthy and able to afford anything that he desired but – “Henry Ford never owned a Cadillac.”
Photo – Canadian Coin News – John Powers with one of his collections.