A marathon swim evokes many emotions in the participants, and Vicki's epic two-day marathon clearly affected the emotions of the crew of her accompanying boats.
Mary Sutherland was stimulated to write the following poem which is related both to the Lake Huron swim and to Vicki's incredible conquest of all five Great Lakes
in the same year.
It is interesting that, without having seen this plaque until April 2000, I wrote a poem with a number of similar emotions to commemorate John Bulsza's crossing of Lake Ontario in August 1996.
Sadly, as of April 2022, this plaque was no longer available. It had been located in Goderich, Ontario and stood adjacent to the boardwalk that overlooks the beach where Vicki finished her Lake Huron swim. The beach is just to the south of the harbour. This, very visible, large, brass plaque used to stand to the right of the plaque that commemorates Vicki's Lake Huron crossing. It forms a two page display, with seven verses on the left display and six verses on the right. The text is presented on the plaque in large and small capitals.
VICKI KEITH The five Great Lakes with their winds and gales Were beaten into submission. This time it was not by engines or sails, But a girl with a heartwarming mission. T'was the crossing of Huron we entered the scene, It was Vicki Keith with her winning ways, It was early one morning from Harbor Beach The Lake wasn't kind, it was terribly rough. Cross shipping lanes in the black of night A mile and a half was our average speed, |
At six in the morning when she waded ashore There were hundreds who'd waited all night. The cheers turned into a thunderous roar, What a girl! She had won! What a sight!! Lakes Erie and Huron were over and done, For the final Lake, we were there on the sand For Handicapped Children, a Pool will be built, She's done what a lot of our Members have not, The Scotia Blue and the Abigail II Mary Sutherland |
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Vicki's Plaques | Harbor Beach Plaque | Goderich Plaque | Vicki Keith Point Plaque
Created: 16th April 2000
Last Updated: 17th April 2022