October 2011 – Page 3 – Morrisburg Leader

Elma Margaret Carr

October 26, 2011 Editor

A resident of Morrisburg for 20 years, Elma Margaret Carr (Youngs) passed away in Toronto on October 10, 2011, after a brief illness.

Mrs. Carr recently said, “I taught many kids to swim. Maybe I kept a few kids from drowning. That’s not a bad legacy for a life.”

Elma graduated from Toronto’s East General Hospital in 1941. In 1943, she met Langton Carr (deceased) in Kirkland Lake where she was nursing war veterans, and he worked in the office of a local mine. They were married in 1944.

Elma and Langton raised six children in an old house on Lakeshore Drive. She joked that people would send her their children at the end of June and collect them in September. Many children learned to swim at the Carr’s dock which was a favorite place to congregate, to swim and to fish during the long summers.

After she and Langton separated in 1958, Elma remained in Morrisburg for a number of years nursing at regional hospitals. In the early sixties, she moved to Long Sault and took a job at Cornwall General Hospital.

Eventually she returned to Toronto, where she remained until her death. There she practiced nursing until well into her seventies, and when she retired she volunteered for many years at Spectrum, a Toronto-based mental health organization.

In August, family and friends joined her to celebrate her 91st birthday at a restaurant in Mississauga.

To the last days of her life, Elma was happy and vivacious. She lived a long, good life.

Elma was predeceased by her former husband Langton Carr, his brother John Carr, her sons John Carr and Charles Carr, and her niece Deborah Carr.

She is survived by daughters Judith Johnson and Laurie Herman, sons Peter Carr and David Carr, and by daughter-in-law Irene Tarnoweckyj.

She will be remembered by nieces Janet McKay (Brian) and Linda Brown (Richard); grandchildren Tania Neptune (David), Natalie Tarnoweckyj, Amber Jamanka, Naomi Herman, Jaclyn Tarnoweckyj, Michelle Tarnoweckyj Reale (David), Amy Finlay (Sheldon), Ben Tarnoweckyj-Carr, Julia-Tarnoweckyj-Carr, Dylan Carr; great-grandchildren David and Jacob Neptune, Jeynaba and Sahjo Jamanka and Erin Finlay.

Condolences may be sent to the Carr Family, c/o Judy Johnson, PO Box 400786, Cambridge, MA 02140 or to judyj2020@gmail.com.

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Jr. B Lions win two

October 26, 2011 Editor

Although the Morrisburg Junior B Lions got off to a bad start last week in Brockville, when they gave up a 4-2 third period lead in what would turn out to be a 5-4 loss, things got better, a whole lot better as the week progressed.

Following on the heels of a home ice, 5-4 win against the visiting Athens Aeros, Friday night, coach Thom Racine got an unexpected call on Saturday morning, that he says, “was an early Christmas present.”

The call was from last year’s leading scorer, Michel Lefebvre who had been released from his Junior A commitment and was wondering if there was a spot available for his return to the Lions.

The necessary paper work was done, and Lefebvre was back in a Lions uniform in time to play a decisive role in the Lions 7-1 victory over the Wolves, in Akwesasne, on Sunday.

It all added up to two wins in three games for the Lions who now find themselves in fourth spot in the St. Lawrence Division, with eight points, three points up on the Wolves and four ahead of the Char-Lan Rebels.

Alexandria now leads the division with 22 points, the Winchester Hawks are in second spot with 21 and the Casselman Vikings hold third with 19.

Last Wednesday, the Lions travelled to Brockville bolstered by three midget affiliates.

“Half of the team was not there,” says Racine. “It’s very discouraging, but the kids who came up played well. The kids came into it nervous, but excited. They did well for themselves.”

Joining the Lions lineup were 15 year old, Jordan Smail, and 16 year olds, Tanner Hummel and Andrew Morris, all affiliates through the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association.

The Tikis were first on the scoreboard in Brockville on Wednesday night, when they beat Lions goaltender Mikael Dion late in the first period. At 17:41 Alex Ploof, from Zach Sequin and Ty Hodgson, got it back.

The Tikis edged ahead at 7:52 of the second period, but then the Lions took charge.

Michel Thurler scored on the Lions power play with help from Ty Hodgson, and Zach Sequin made it 3-2, with Ploof and Marc Antoine Kamel providing the assist.

Kamel put the Lions up 4-2 at 6:19 of the third assisted by Michel Thurler and Michael Keenan.

“We took two penalties midway into the third period, but we killed them and I thought we were going to be okay,” said Racine.

A costly Lions clearing mistake in their own end, set the Tikis up to cut the gap to 4-3.

Then in a span of just 14 seconds, the Tikis nabbed Dion for two counters, and the Lions were sent home licking their wounds from a 5-4 loss.

Friday night in Morrisburg, the Lions dropped quickly behind the Aeros, 3-0 in the first period.

“It was an eerie reminder of the tail end of last year,” says Racine. “We played like we didn’t belong on the ice with them in the first 10 minutes. It was the same old-same old.”

“But then it was as if they looked at each other on the bench and said enough.”

With 5:34 left on the clock in the first period, Alex Steingruber scored unassisted, to put some spark back into his teammate.

As it turned out it was more than just a spark, it was a fire as the Lions went to work in the second period. While Dion held the Aeros from the scoreboard, the Lions struck for four unanswered goals, two of them on their power play.

Alex Ploof kicked it off with help from Lance Hodgson and Kamel, and then Bzdyl scored on the power play from Ward and Steingruber.

Steingruber scored his second of the game on the power play at 15:03 of the frame and with just 51 seconds left, Kamel counted from Lance Hodgson and Ryan Dunbar, for a 5-3 Lions lead.

That was it for the Lions scoring while the Aeros got one more late in the third period, leaving the Lions with the 5-4 win.

“Ploof’s goal at the end of the first period was a big goal for us,” said Racine. “For Ploof to respond like that was great. He also scored in Brockville.”

The third period featured a melee after Ty Hodgson hit the Aeros captain. “Four guys attacked Ty, and the other kids on the ice weren’t ready for it. They showed us what happens when someone hits their captain. After the fighting, we got six minutes in penalties. We killed them off and actually scored a shot-handed goal which was disallowed when their goalie kicked the net off.”

“By that point, I think we deserved to win the game, and this time, the hockey gods were with us.”

The Lions weekend kept getting better with the Saturday morning phone call from Lefebvre.

“Michele had gone off to play Junior A hockey, and we wished him well, but he left a big offensive hole in our lineup,” says Racine. “So we got the paper work done Saturday, and he hit the ice on Sunday against Akwesasne. He scored two goals and added an assist. Having Michel back creates so many more opportunities for us that we have been missing.”

“He is such a dynamic player, and that is what we needed. We are still a few pieces away from where we want to be, but this is a good step.”

Sunday’s game at Akwesasne was a must win for the Lions. “They stole two point from us in Morrisburg, last Friday night, and we had to get the points back. We were dominate the whole night, Mikael was stellar in goal.”

The Lions quickly went to task, building a 4-1 lead in the first period. After a scoreless second period, the Lions added three unanswered third period goals for the 7-1 win.

Sylvester Bzdyl and Michel Lefebvre led the Lions scoring with two goals each and Michael Poapst, Marc Antoine Kamel and Michel Thurler added singles.

Drew Veenstra, Alex Ploof, Bzdyl and Michael Paquette helped out on two goals each and singles assists were provided by Ryan Dunbar, Poapst, Lefebvre and Steingruber.

The Lions have just one game this weekend when they host the Casselman Vikings, Friday night, October 28 at 8:30 p.m.

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JW MacIntosh Seniors’ support centre holds 20th anniversary

October 26, 2011 Editor

“In 1991, the three United Counties and the province of Ontario united to build this seniors’ support centre. In 20 years, it has grown beyond all expectations. It has played a vital part in senior health and home care. It has made a real difference for seniors in our community,” said Janet Levere, executive director of the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

She welcomed well over 100 dignitaries, volunteers and friends to a 20th anniversary celebration of the J.W.MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre in Williamsburg on Tuesday, October 18.

Board members, past and present, members of the South Dundas council and J.W.MacIntosh Support Centre staff also joined in the festivities. Guests and visitors were able to see displays and posters highlighting the activities and services available to the community.

The event ended with the celebratory cutting of a cake.

On October 23, 1991, The Morrisburg Leader did a feature about the Park Lane Senior Support Centre describing it as “part of a pilot project for the province of Ontario, with sister projects in Stormont and Glengarry counties.”

The article went on to say that the project was “69 per cent funded by the Ministry of Social and Community Services, covering the cost of the Outreach Centre and 31 per cent funded by the Ministry of Housing. The Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing is the sponsoring agent, who applies for the grants and handles the administrative aspect.”

In 2006, the building was officially named the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre in honour of John MacIntosh.

The Centre is a key focus for area seniors and their families. It currently offers Meals-on-Wheels, the Diners Club, respite care, foot clinics, supportive housing and assisted living. “In 2007, we began to offer the Going Home program to assist seniors who were leaving the hospital,” Levere said.

Chair of the board of directors of the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Jim Kooistra, offered his anniversary congratulations.

“I am very glad that in 1991, a group of people decided to build this facility. It was the first of its kind, a real pilot project for the province,” said Kooistra.

“In the past 20 years we have served 70,000 meals (through Meals-on-Wheels and the Diners’ Club) and provided people in our community with a little help or a lot of help depending on the need.”

Seniors Dwight Gilmer and his wife, Marian, both of Iroquois, began as volunteers for Meals-on-Wheels, and now take advantage of that service and others offered by the Centre. “It is so wonderful to know that a great facility like this is here to help us, and to help us stay in our homes,” Gilmer said.

Senior Helen Gill of Morrisburg said that the staff and volunteers of the Centre are “loving and kind and so supportive.”

The hard work of area volunteers drew praise from speakers at the celebration.

“Our volunteers have done so much for the Centre. They serve from the heart and have dedicated themselves to helping others,” chairman Kooistra said.

In 2010, volunteers logged over 6,000 hours of recorded volunteer time.

Mary Osborne and Winnie Gorman shared why they devote time to the Support Centre.

“I believe that if you are able to do something of benefit to others, then you should do it,” Osborne said.

“I go home from (volunteering) here feeling rejuvenated and happy,” said Gorman. “I recommend taking the time to offer a helping hand.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds joined councillors Jim Locke, Evonne Delegarde and Archie Mellan, in honouring the 20th anniverary of the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre.

“It is a great pleasure to see how a service like this is used in our community,” mayor Byvelds said, then added, “In 20 years, I expect that I will be looking to use these great facilities.”

[…]

Hugh Myers

October 26, 2011 Editor

A lifelong resident of Morrisburg, Hugh Myers passed away peacefully at Dundas Manor, Winchester with his loving family by his side on Sunday, October 16, 2011. He was 83.

The only child of the late John Frederick and Amy (nee Banks) Myers, Hugh was born on February 20, 1928, in Morrisburg.

On September 15, 1956, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, he married Doris Ruth McIntosh who survives.

The couple made their home for many years at 27 High Street in Morrisburg, and Hugh worked in the Forestry Division of Hydro One for 35 years until his retirement.

A member of the Indian River Hunt Club, Hugh loved to fish and hunt.

At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Royal Navy and served for five years. He then worked for two years on the boats in the Great Lakes.

In his spare time, Hugh umpired fastball and was a hockey referee, who travelled throughout the area.

Being an only child, Hugh spent a great deal of time in his younger years with the Jones’ family. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening and time spent with his grandchildren. He worked hard and provided for his family.

A quiet, shy man, he was a homebody at heart, and a down to earth person. His family was most important to him.

He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #48 and St. James Anglican Church.

Hugh is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Doris, and by his children Carol (Robert) Corry and David (Kathy), both of Morrisburg. He was cherished grandfather of Natalie and Kurtis Corry and Amy and Sarah Myers, all of Morrisburg.

Friends were received at the Parker Funeral Home, Morrisburg, on Tuesday, October 18, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Susan McCullough in the Parker Funeral Home chapel on Wednesday, October 19 at 11 a.m.

Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery, Mariatown.

Bearers were Doug Wilson, Bob Barclay, Grant McMillan, Bryan Dawley, Tom Dawley and grandson Kurtis Corry.

Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society will be gratefully acknowledged. Condolences and donations may be made at www.parkerofmorrisburg.com

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Halloween is dress-up time

October 26, 2011 Editor

Halloween is just days away now and people have already begun decorating for the holiday, planning for parties, making or buying costumes and candy, and stockpiling the scariest of movies for the October 31st celebration. For those who read my editorial about how much I love Thanksgiving, well, Halloween is a very close second-runner-up for my favourite holiday.

Unfortunately, Halloween tends to get a bad rap from some, which leads me to ask, “Do you know the origin of Halloween?”

Halloween, the celebration not the name, originated from the pagan celebration of Samhain. It is a time to celebrate the end of harvest season. It is a time to take stock of the year that has passed. Sound slightly familiar? In my opinion, Samhain holds a little bit of Thanksgiving and a little bit of New Year’s Day themes. So, if this is how Halloween originated, why has it become the “day of the dead”?

Well, it is also believed that this is the one time of the year when the veil between the worlds, the dead and the living, is thinnest. It is also the day before All Hallow’s Eve, more commonly referred to now as All Saints Day on November 1st. (And in case you haven’t made the connection yet, it is believed that All Hallow’s Eve is where the term Halloween originated.)

Disregarding the history of masks and costumes being used to scare off evil spirits or demons, I believe that Halloween is another opportunity to give thanks. This time, we can thank those we love who have passed for being in our lives and for being who they were when they were here with us. It is a time to remember them.

It is also another opportunity to be thankful for what we have right now: family, friends, health and life itself.

So why do we dress up in scary costumes, collect candy or go to parties? Because it’s fun. Do you remember being a kid? Did you like dressing up? Well, we’re all still little kids inside and Halloween gives grown-ups (as well as children) permission to dress up and be silly.

So, on October 31st remember to be thankful for those you love, here in person or here in spirit, and celebrate by dressing up and having some fun. Take a page out of Mr. Dressup’s book and rifle through your Tickle Trunk for a fantastically original costume.

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Perspectives by Rev. Norine Gullons

October 26, 2011 Editor

Last evening our Women’s Group at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Williamsburg hosted an evening with Nancy Horton. Nancy is a stay at home mom and mother of three boys.

What is so remarkable about this particular woman?

Nancy is a breast cancer survivor, author, and inspirational speaker. Nancy spoke with clarity and honesty about her journey with cancer and also shared her “faith” walk through life.

In speaking she opened up chapters of her life story so that others could hear and read of her struggles and where she support and encouragement to persevere in her life.

You may have heard Nancy in July on 100 Huntley Street. Her books “Hope in the Midst Darkness” and “The Big Fat Bald Head” are her way of providing a light in the darkness of cancer.

It seems these days that everyone knows someone whose had been touched by cancer. If not by cancer by another illness or grief, depression or issues within their family.

Nancy’s focus on forgiveness and self-esteem are important issues in life.

Our acceptance and love of who we are as individuals is an important step in our acceptance and love of others and of our love for our God. Nancy reminds us all again that we a NOT alone in this world!

I quote from her blog: “You have a Heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally and wants to have a relationship with you. He promises to never leave or forsake you. There will always be trouble in this world, but it’s always easier to go through life’s struggles when someone is holding your hand.

Let God be your answer.”

[…]

Luke Whitteker race season recap

October 26, 2011 Editor

At the end of 2010, Luke Whitteker won a scholarship for the Race 101 Program in North Carolina, a scholarship that will culminate in his graduation later this fall.

During the first few months of 2011, he traveled once a month to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend classes and learn about the motorsport industry, from on track skills to chassis set up, and all things technical to the off track skills of marketing and communication.

Throughout the year, the young Iroquois driver participated in online seminars (webinars), as the learning experience continued about the motorsports industry, and all aspects of it.

On the track in 2011, Whitteker posted a season high second place finish at Cornwall Speedway on July 24th, and a season high third at Autodrome Granby on July 22nd.

He began his first season at Granby driving for the Clement Henri team, but posted his best finishes after switching back to his own Whitteker Motorsports ride. He finished the season ninth overall at Granby, and was the track’s top rookie driver this year.

At Cornwall, Whitteker finished the year sixth overall in track points With the last three events of the season falling to rain, he lost any chance he had to make up ground and move into the top five.

He also started the year running the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified championship series, but decided to end their season in late September to focus his attention on his first year studies at Carleton University, as well as the end of the Race 101 Program.

Over the course of the year, Whitteker Motorsports proudly supported the CHEO Foundation (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) in Ottawa, raising money through t-shirt and merchandise sales.

They donated nearly $1,000 to the CHEO Foundation and with some t-shirts still on hand, that figure could go even higher.

With the 2011 racing season over locally, Whitteker has plans to return to North Carolina to finish up the Race 101 program and graduate.

During the first week of November, he will participate in class seminars, and will be provided the opportunity to turn some laps in a Race 101 prepared pavement Late Model at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina.

Currently, all Race 101 students are participating in a social networking contest and Luke is seeking help from everyone to go to the Whitteker Motorsports Facebook page and simply “like” the page.

The more votes Luke gets, the better his chances are of winning the contest. At last glance, Luke is leading the contest, which ends very soon.

Go to HYPERLINK “http://www.facebook.com/whittekermotorsports” www.facebook.com/whittekermotorsports and click on the “like” button at the top.

Whitteker Motorsports had great sponsorship support during the 2011 season from Rust Check, Coldwell Banker, Steve Summers Coburn Realty, Jim’s Performance Plus, Parcoll Products/Napa Auto Parts, Quaker State, Riverside Pontiac, Thompson Tim-Br Mart Iroquois, Toy Storage, Wells and Son Construction, 730 Truck Stop, Lloyd McMillan Equipment Ltd., ERD Engine Research and Development, Cohen and Lord Insurance and Finish Line Web Design.

Luke Whitteker and the Whitteker Motorsports team are currently looking for sponsors for the 2012 racing season.

For more information, please contact Luke Whitteker at HYPERLINK “mailto:lukewhitt@ripnet.com” lukewhitt@ripnet.com.

Whitteker also is grateful for the hard work of his pit crew which this year included Dustin Gillard, Travis McMillan, Jeff Whitteker, Kyle Dingwall, Joe Janson, Shawn Nixon, Julie Nixon and Kevin Whitteker.

[…]

Stephen McCann launches Luxury Links in Morrisburg

October 26, 2011 Editor

Although he doesn’t plan to retire in the near future, nor take up golf for that matter, Stephen ‘Steve’ McCann has taken a big swing towards making golf a part of his retirement plans.

This Saturday, McCann is hosting a grand opening for his new business, Luxury Links, an indoor golf program complete with a Full Swing golf simulator located at 91 Main Street in the Morrisburg Shopping Plaza, east of Thom Travel.

McCann kicked off his golf simulator business venture in mid-August, when he went to work to renovate the building to accommodate the hitting area.

“My idea was to design a comfortable place for people to come in and have a game of golf, and I am really pleased with the way it has turned out,” he said during an open house this past weekend.

In addition to the room that houses the Full Swing golf simulator, golfers will be able to relax in a lounge area, where coffee and vending machine snacks and beverages are available. (The facility is not licenced.) A washroom area is located at the back of the building.

“This is two months worth of work. I started it on August 17th, and completely gutted it. I lost about 20 pounds,” he says of the construction phase that was done in the evenings and on the weekends.

A self-professed non-golfer, McCann says he first considered the idea back when Caldwell Linen Mill in Iroquois closed and he was out of a job. Although he found work at the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic, “the idea has been brewing for six years.”

Now as the golden years draw closer, he’s 57, he says he wanted to get something in place that would give him something to do.

A market study told him there are, “11 golf courses (in a 35km radius of Morrisburg) with an estimated 6,000 golfers. The closest indoor simulated golf experiences are at South Mountain and Prescott. After that you have to go to Brockville or Ottawa. There is nothing to the east. I have a seven year plan. If this works out, I’d like to open others in the area.”

What sets Luxury Links apart from other simulated golf setups, is that it is a member-only club.

McCann sees competitive/experienced golfers joining to stay at their game during the off-season, and the more casual and non-golfers using it for entertainment.

Hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily, seven days per week and club membership is limited to 60 contracted membership hours. Once 60 hours have been contracted, the membership will be cut off, and that will leave an additional 40 hours available to the members each week for extra play.

There are three membership categories with corresponding fees and a fee schedule for extra play.

First to drop in to the open house was Morrisburg golfer, Jim ‘Sudsy’ Whelan, who was completely sold on the concept and impressed with the facility even when his first shot, off the first tee at Pebble Beach, went only 220 yards. Shot two, was 140 yards into the rough, followed by a chip that left him with a 15.7 foot, downhill breaking right to left, putt…which he missed.

“It’s a riot,” says McCann. “I had my IT guys in the other night and they had a great time. And none of them play golf.”

The Luxury Links program offers 12, 18 hole golf courses, two par three courses and a driving range. Complimentary left and right hand clubs are available.

“Pebble Beach is what everyone seems to like,” says McCann explaining the simulators were originally built for training tools, but soon were “recognized for their entertainment value.”

The simulator can be set up for sunny or cloudy days, with or without wind. There is even a ‘shot booster’ button for maximum yardage and the option to add spectators who will cheer you on.

Shot accuracy and speed are measured by two 360 degree tracks on the Full Swing simulator, which according to McCann was one of the first developed. “When the ball bounces back, it measures the slice/hook. There’s a three point measurement.”

Luxury Links will not be manned. Members will have their own access cards and bookings can be made online.

The unique membership pricing system has been done to make “it much more affordable.”

“I’m excited,” said McCann. “I think it is going to be good, once people get used to it.”

“A couple can come out and have some exercise and fun, or a foursome can get together. It is meant to be an affordable alternative to having to travel to play.”

“I can see members come in for coffee and sit around and visit…golf buddies who maybe don’t see much of each other in the off season.”

“I travelled to Ottawa last winter,” said Whelan. “I had a Myrtle Beach trip planned, and I wanted to swing some before I left. This is great to have this here.”

“Memberships will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis, up to the 60 contracted hours. I could book more, but that is not my goal. The season will run from October through April and reduced prices for members will be offered during the summer golf season.”

“I’m the best kept secret in town right now and I don’t want that.”

People can drop in to the grand opening Saturday from 1-5 p.m., check the website at www.luxurylinks.ca or call 613-643-3003 and leave a message.

[…]

Pilon to participate in Rick Hansen 25th anniversary Man in Motion Relay

October 26, 2011 Editor

Tayler Pilon was just two years old when her grandfather, Les Bilmer, was left a quadriplegic after an accident in the fall of 2000 injured his spinal cord.

After the injury from a fall, and a year in hospital, her ‘poppy’ was brought home, where he was cared for, round the clock by Grandma Inez and the entire Bilmer family including young Tayler, the only tiny tot in the family at the time.

“I helped Grandma crush up his pills, and there were pockets in his wheelchair where there were always treats for me.”

“It was hard. It was 24-7 care,” says Tayler’s mother, Laury. “I am sure Dad lived as long as he did because of her. She would crawl up in bed with him and have her naps. There were always little treats under his pillow.”

Les passed away in May of 2004, and Tayler, now 13, has fond memories of the days she spent with him.

That’s why, when her Aunt Debbie learned of the Rick Hansen 25th anniversary Man in Motion Relay, Tayler was eager to apply to be part of it.

She was one of 8,000 Ontarians who applied and one of 2,000 who were successful.

This Saturday, October 29, Tayler with Grandma Inez and a large number of the Bilmer family will be in Smiths Falls where Tayler will run her 250m of the relay that started in Cape Spear, Newfoundland, on August 24, and will end May 22, 2012, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Twenty-five years ago, Rick Hansen wheeled through 34 countries in 26 months to complete his now-famous Man in Motion World Tour.

His mission was to inspire the world and realize the dream of raising millions of dollars for spinal cord injury research, making communities more accessible and inclusive and changing the way people looked at the potential of people with disabilities.

In March of 2010, the 25th anniversary campaign began with the official launch of the Rick Hansen Institute, founded in 2009. This independent institute is a Canada-wide collaboration dedicated to accelerating progress toward a cure and improving the quality of life for people who live with spinal cord injuries and related disabilities.

One of the key events of the 25th Anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour is the current nine month Rick Hansen Relay which Tayler Pilon of Morrisburg is participating in, in memory of her grandfather, Les Bilmer, this Saturday, October 29 in Smiths Falls.

Tayler has set a goal of raising $1,000 for the Relay.

“We are trying to raise $1,000, and we are at $700 now,” she said last Wednesday. “We have donations from my aunts and uncles and the Legion, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and friends.”

“We didn’t have to make a donation, but I wanted to.”

Although Tayler was not yet born when the original Man in Motion Tour took place, she has since studied and learned about the effort.

“I looked up information on Rick Hansen, because I really didn’t know much about him. He wheeled for 26 months and has raised $26 million.”

“He became like a national hero, just like Terry Fox did.”

Tayler says she is excited about running her leg of the relay and is proud to have the opportunity to carry the 25th anniversary commemorative medal with 16 other medal bearers in Smiths Falls.

The event is sponsored by Nike and McDonald’s, and Tayler will run in a uniform provided by Nike and will receive a replica of the commemorative medal.

For those who wish to travel to Smiths Falls, Tayler will be running at about 3:54 p.m. She is scheduled to attend a briefing at the Smith Falls Memorial Community Centre at 2:15 before being taken by bus to her segment of the relay.

Family and friends are advised to look for the relay segment with Tayler’s Medal Bearer # MB067-025.

For those who can’t make the trip, but would like to help Tayler reach her $1,000 donation goal, you can donate online. Information on the link can be obtained by emailing Laury and Tayler at lktpilon@hotmail.com. For more information you can call them at 613-543-3961.

[…]

Natalie Robinson

October 19, 2011 Editor

A lifelong resident of the district, Natalie Robinson (nee Fetterley) passed away peacefully at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, October 15, 2011. She was in her 90th year.

Natalie was the beloved wife of the late Wilburn Robinson. She was loving mother of Lois (Donald) Knapp of Iroquois and Hugh (Debbie) Robinson of Manotick. She was the cherished grandmother of six grandchildren and great-grandmother of two.

A resident of Morrisburg, Natalie was formerly from Chesterville.

Friends paid their respects at the Daniels Funeral Chapels Inc. in Winchester on Sunday, October 16. The Order of the Eastern Star service was held Sunday evening.

The funeral service was held in the chapel on Monday, October 17, at 1 p.m., with Rev. Wendy Wright MacKenzie officiating.

Pallbearers were Natalie’s grandchildren.

Interment was at Grantley Cemetery.

Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Cancer Society or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.

[…]