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Mayor's Honour Roll

A SELECTION OF PHOTOS FROM THE
MAYOR'S LEVEE AND AWARDS CEREMONY
HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008

A large crowd jammed into the Scugog Arena complex
to take part in the ceremony honouring many of Scugog
Township's volunteer organizations and individuals.

Janice Martyn and her son graciously accepted the
Mayor's Honour Roll award for Blair Martyn from Mayor Marilyn
Pearce, right,and members of council, from left, Georgia Brock,
Jim McMillan, Donovan Smith and Bobbie Drew. Mr. Martyn
resigned his position as councillor for Ward 4 last year due
to his failing health.

Mayor Pearce is flanked by two of the more than 20 members
of the Port Perry Hospital Auxiliary who were praised for
their work and support of the local hospital. Noreen (Toots)
Malcolm, left, who has been with the Auxiliary since it began,
and Gwenyth Thompson are shown here with the mayor.

The Royal Canadian Legion colour party was recognized for its
participation and contribution to the community during the
awards ceremony. Jim Smitherman proudly shows off the
certificate naming them to the Mayor's Honour Roll.

Amanda Evans was the youngest person to be recognized this
year and named to the Mayor's Honour Roll. Amanda, who
helps people deal with hearing impairment, is a Grade 6 student
at Epsom Public School. She is seen here with councillor
Cecil Lamrock and Mayor Marilyn Pearce.

Hardly a major local event goes by without hearing the booming voice
of Scugog's Town Crier - Bill McKee. Bill won the North American Town
Crier competition in 2006 and participates in events such as Canada
Day, Highland Games and the Port Perry Fair. Bill is seen here with his
wife Liz, left, and Mayor Marilyn Pearce.

Julie and Marina Brock are the fourth generation of the Brock
family to operate the 125 year old family business and they were
recognized by Mayor Marilyn Pearce for their dedication and
committment to the community. Mayor Pearce praised the
Brock sisters for their generosity and named them to the
Mayor's Honour Roll. Councillor Bobbie Drew, left also took
part in the ceremony.

FOLLOWING ARE ALL THE THOSE
NAMED TO THE 2007
MAYOR'S HONOUR ROLL

Marina & Julie Brock
Usually when you mention the Brock Family you think of Bill and his commitment to the heritage of this community but in 2007 his two daughters were the face of not only Brock’s 125th Anniversary but also of significant fundraising for 3 organizations - Operation Scugog, the Museum and finally the Port Perry Hospital Foundation. The sister team of Julie and Marina have not only picked up the torch thrown by their father, grandfather and great-grandfather but they have carried it to new heights. As well, their commitment to the Downtown business community continued in April with an investment in their store that led the way to many more store improvements in our downtown business core. Brock’s supports many of our local sport teams and schools but their significant fund-raising for the 3 groups mentioned above highlights their dedication that any local initiative that benefits our community is worth supporting and this family has been doing just that for 125 years.

Bill McKee
Since moving to Scugog in 2001 Bill McKee has emerged as the voice of pomp and ceremony (and a touch of humour) at many of our community events. He has also brought international acclaim to this area when he won the North American Town Crier competition in 2006 and finished second in the Ontario championships in 2007. Bill has performed at the annual Mayor’s Levee, the Durham Highland Games, Canada Day, the Fair, the night-long Relay for Life, and the recent Wall of Fame ceremonies to name a few. He is also a member of the Masons and has performed on stage for the Choral Society. Bill is especially dedicated to our Seniors’ events and in 2007, while attending a fundraiser at the Latcham Centre, Bill noticed the crowds were a little light so he proceeded to “call out” up and down Queen Street in an effort to assist and make the day a success. That type of volunteerism has not gone unnoticed and is a welcome addition to our community.

Blair Martyn
It was with a heavy heart that Council accepted the resignation of popular Councillor Martyn in June of 2007. Blair’s battle with brain cancer remains on-going and he is being recognized not only for that courageous fight but also for the years of dedicated volunteerism to his community. Blair is a member of the Blackstock Lions Club and was their president a couple of times over their 26 year history. He has served on the Blackstock Recreation Centre Board for many years and was its Chair prior to running for Council. He has coached minor hockey and baseball in Blackstock and served on the Board of Stewards for the United Church. Blair and his wife Jan are an outstanding example of “unsung” community volunteers. Blair continued his volunteering ways while on Council and was the Council event co-ordinator making sure we all attended not only the events in his Ward but in every part of Scugog. We certainly miss his positive attitude and his sense of what community volunteerism is all about.

Canterbury Silver Dragons
June 23, 2007 saw the last appearance of the Dragon Boat team called the Canterbury Silver Dragons. This group of Canterbury Common residents has raised over $35,000 in support of breast cancer victims and for breast cancer services in our local hospitals. Team manager Neil Simpson and his crew of 28 paddlers are to be commended for their enthusiasm, leadership and dedication for this very worthy cause. The 2007 team members were: Ken Beckberger & Jan Tennison, Ron & Mickey Belton, Bill Caulfield, Roger & Marg Doe, Ken & Margo Gadsden, Dietrich & Joan Galonska, Harry Hough, Stuart Ion, Joan Ivers, Michel Leclerc, Eleanor Lowe, Gord McIntyre, Doug McLatchy, Ed Richards, Bill Sadler & Melinda Fish, Ulo Sibul, Neil & Mary Lou Simpson, David & Sabina Thompson, Harry Vanderburg and Barb Willis. Well done!!

Port Perry Lions Club
This well-known service club celebrated their 70th Anniversary in 2007. Formed in 1937, their membership has fluctuated between 12 and 60 but currently stands at 19. They donate to a variety of groups and organizations in our community including: High School Bursaries, Legion Poppy Fund, CNIB Durham, Soapbox Derby, Santa Claus Parade, VIP program, local sport sponsorships, and local school projects. As well, they support many more programs on a Province-wide basis. This year they also joined with 4 other local Lions Clubs in pledging $125,000 to the Port Perry Hospital “Lighting the Way Campaign”. The Lions’ motto “We Serve” is an intricate part of their day to day operation and our community is the better for it.

Howard Hall
Recognition of this former Mayor’s volunteer work is long overdue. Howard was best known for his time on Council but what many may not know is of his numerous volunteer activities over the years. Howard served on the local Port Perry Hospital Board for over 20 years and now serves on the Lakeridge Health Board. He also served on the Durham Access to Care Board. Howard has for many years been involved with the Port Perry MoJacks Junior C hockey team in various roles. He is a former President of the Chamber of Commerce and for many, many years was always there if a group or organization needed a fundraiser including our present library. The local Scouting organizations have also been recipients of Howard’s generous gift of time and help. This year as the Wall of Fame committee researched the Olympic appearance of a couple of local figure-skaters, there was a write-up concerning the Peri Winkle fund that Howard oversaw to help raise funds for their trip in 1968. For decades this man has given to this community in so many ways that it just seems fitting that he be included on the Honour Roll.

Bert Hutcheson
A photo of this volunteer on a ladder scraping paint at the Curling Club brought back memories of Bert’s “unsung” volunteerism in the community of Seagrave. Bert served on the Seagrave Parks Board for many years and he was a member of the committee that oversaw the building of the Fieldhouse. He was also a long-time ball coach and is an active volunteer of everything happening in the Seagrave community as well as the Port Perry Curling Club. That photo of Bert on the ladder really brings home the nature of volunteerism in Scugog – it’s a hands-on job for the most part.

Greenbank United Church
BBQ Committee
On the Friday of the long weekend in August the place to be for the last 31 years is the Greenbank Church BBQ. What started out as a small fundraiser has grown into the largest civic picnic we have in Scugog. In trying to decide who should receive the award it was pretty much agreed upon that everyone in Greenbank and area is involved. Rather than try and name all those “unsung” volunteers who give the community this great evening I will simply recognize the founders. Firstly, Raymond Kerry who passed away in 2007 came up with the original idea even though many said it couldn’t be done – he must have been so proud of that last picnic – what a crowd. As well credit should go to Glen Till who designed the spits that are used to barbecue the beef and he keeps them running smoothly each year. To those in our community who have not attended this is a “must do” and to the folks of Greenbank well-done – we love your annual party.

Port Perry MoJacks
2007-08 is the 35th Anniversary of our local Junior “C” Hockey Club. MoJacks hockey has seen many highs (All-Ontario Finalists in 1987-88) and lows over their three decades but one thing is for sure – they always supply a good game on Sunday nights at the arena. The volunteer board led this year by president Butch Simms is to be commended for their time and dedication to supplying an outlet for youth primarily from all of Durham to play hockey at a very competitive level. MoJacks players have also been seen as role models for many of our minor league players. Go out and see a game this year, buy a 50-50 ticket and be sure and let the executive know we appreciate their work.

Port Perry Hospital Auxiliary
In March of this past year, the Hospital Auxiliary committed to raise $250,000 for the capital campaign for a new endoscopy suite and this donation really brought to light the tremendous work of this dedicated group of volunteers. They have been organized in our community since the 1950’s and have clearly become an important part of our health care system. Those ladies in the coral jackets can be seen selling tags on our streets, working at the hospital gift shop, delivering books to patients and visiting and offering a kind word to those who need it most. Over the past 50 years this community has been the recipient of their caring volunteerism. Thanks to both past and present Auxiliary members and good luck in meeting your fundraising goals.

Amanda Evans
Recognizing a youth within our Honour Roll was a goal that was recently presented to the Mayor’s Youth Council and their advice on who it should be was greatly appreciated. Many nominations were forthcoming but this year the acknowledgement of the dedication shown by Amanda Evans who is helping others deal with hearing impairment is being recognized. Amanda is a Grade 6 student at Epsom Public School and has not only given workshops for students and parents and the Durham District School Board but also created a video that is widely shown. Amanda could just sit back and internalize the challenges she faces but has chosen to be that spokesperson for the hearing impaired and to do so at such a young age is commendable. With such a young person taking the lead we all need “to listen.”

Dennis & Karen Yellowlees
The growth of soccer in the Cartwright area can be directly attributed to the dedication of this well-known couple. Over 200 children now have access to a well-run program in Nestleton on most nights of the week and although they would be the first to acknowledge the hard work of many, there is no doubt that Karen & Dennis are instrumental in the success. Both of these recipients are also involved in many other aspects of the community including their church in Nestleton, the Blackstock Agricultural Society, the Blackstock Fair, the Nestleton Hall Board, the Farmer’s Market in Cartwright as well as the Federation of Agriculture and Karen also volunteers for the GTA Agricultural Committee. I’m sure that if you have attended events in the farming community of Scugog, you have met the Yellowlees but it is their commitment to Youth Soccer that is being recognized.

Shirley Love
When it comes to gardening in Scugog, everyone knows Shirley. As former president of the Pine Ridge Garden Club, a member of the Club’s Board of Directors for over 26 years and one of the chief organizers of the Spring Garden Show, Shirley certainly puts her heart and soul into the beautification of Scugog. When the Cartwright Peace Park Project was undertaken in 1992, Shirley came to the Township’s assistance in helping with funding and the eventual design and each year she helps with the planting of the Nestleton Hall and the Port Perry Hospital gardens. As well this year, many would have recognized Shirley on the “Harley” as a fundraiser in the “Ride for Dad” to raise funds and awareness for the fight against prostate cancer. Shirley also is the garden columnist for a local paper and can be found expounding on the virtues of gardening all year long. It’s Scugog at its blooming best with volunteers like Shirley.

Royal Canadian Legion
Branch 419 Colour Party
Over the course of any year and especially on November 11th, you will see this mix of veterans, volunteers and Legion members marching forward the colours. They not only take part in Remembrance Day at the Port Perry cenotaph but also in services at Westshore Village, the Library, the Nursing Home, the cenotaph in Blackstock, funerals of Veterans as well as at services in and around Ontario. This year they were especially busy as various events were held to “Support Our Troops” including our Canada Day festivities – every time they were asked, they were there. Included are 2007 members: Jim Smitherman (Sgt-At-Arms), Larry Kendall, Tony Foggetti, Geoff Taylor, Doug Franks, Ken Call, Harry Morris, Scott Boyd, Doug Day and Steve Groves. Thank you for continuing to present our Armed Forces’ colours when called upon and for your support of this time-honoured tradition. We will remember.

PHOTOS BY
J. PETER HVIDSTEN