Scugog Mayor Chuck Mercier honoured a group of residents and organizations, for their contributions to the community, at the 2011 New Year’s Levee at the Scugog Recreation Centre on Sunday, January 9th, starting at 1 p.m. Each of the recipients received a certificate and had their name added to the Mayor’s Honour Roll plaque, which hangs in the Scugog Municipal office. Following are the inductees, who were
recognized for their work in the community.

The 2010 inductees:

Tammy Horvath with Mayor Mercier and Councillor John Hancock.

TAMMY HORVATH - In 2004 Tammy Horvath suffered a rare and deadly form of cancer. Without immediate surgery she was told she would not live to spend her life with her husband Chuck, and her two young boys Hayden and Hunter. Tammy had the surgery, survived, and is a truly inspirational member of our community.
Through her tireless leadership efforts with the North Durham Relay for Life, Tammy has helped to raise more than $450,000, and she has initiated a program for several elementary schools involvement in the relay at the Port Perry fairgrounds. The latter goal is not so much fundraising but to educate children and others that it is okay to have a parent who suffers from cancer; that the children should make healthy lifestyle choices; and to help eliminate the fear and uncertainty about cancer.
Tammy speaks publicly about cancer, mentors and supports others with the disease, and this year she received the “Hero of Hope Award” from the American Cancer Society. Thank you for everything you do Tammy.

Dorothy Imperial with Mayor Mercier and Councillor Howard Danson.

DOROTHY IMPERIAL - Dorothy has volunteered in Scugog for more than twenty years. She is a very active member of the Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, where several times a week she helps patients by serving water and setting up TV services. She always has a friendly smile and a positive outlook. You can find her at Camilla’s Closet, the new hospital auxiliary store on Perry Street, one day each week, where she helps to sell gently used clothing in support of the hospital.
Dorothy also volunteers her time at Community Care where she provides foot care and does friendly visiting with people who are unable to get out and around. She has been a volunteer at Operation Scugog for many years and always looks forward to helping with the Christmas Campaign. Previously, she spent countless hours visiting and looking after residents of the nursing home, and she has helped many others with transportation and daily living needs. Thank you Dorothy for your volunteer service.

Councillor Jim Howard, left and Mayor Mercier with Jim Hutchinson (centre).

JIM HUTCHINSON - Jim Hutchinson has volunteered at Community Care since 2003. He has helped the organization with fund raising, but he would likely say his main activity was driving clients to various doctors and hospital appointments. Bad weather, early morning starts, long hours; Jim would drive locally or longer distances, whatever was required.
Jenny Yorgason, the Director of Community Care, has nothing but admiration for his efforts. She says, one year he drove 14,000 kms with clients and when he replaced his car, he made sure it had features that would accommodate his passengers’ safety and comfort. He refurbished all of the tag day boxes and was always available to fix something around the office. He helped with tag days, recruited other volunteers, and made sure that proceeds from his residents’ association pancake breakfast were given to Community Care.
Sadly, Jim’s health has forced him to take things a little easier, but many people are very grateful for all of the volunteer hours he has given. Well done Jim.

Mayor Mercier, left and Councillor Larry Corrigan, right show
Mary Westgarth the Mayor's Honour Roll plaque.

MARY WESTGARTH - Mary Westgarth is a wonderful volunteer at The Immaculate Conception School on Thursdays and at the Good Shepherd on Tuesdays. Whatever the weather, Mary is always on time, with books from the library or from home so she can read to the children. She has been doing this, helping in the library and generally tidying up for more than twenty years according to the principal, Margaret Geer. Mary also enjoys teaching her housemate, Tommy, to read. You will see them at church together and many of the school children, past and present recognize Mary as the “ helper” at their school.
She recently talked about retirement but Principal Geer told her the school just wouldn’t be the same without her, and recently nominated Mary for an award from the council for Exceptional Children. Margaret says Mary is a great woman, independent and self reliant. The children and all of us learn a lot from her. Thank you for your devotion Mary, we are glad you didn’t retire.

Recipeint Neil Hunter, left shares a laugh with Councillor Larry Corrigan,
centre and Mayor Chuck Mercier.

NEIL HUNTER - Neil Hunter was born and raised on a farm in Scarborough. He served in the armed forces in WWII with the Toronto Scottish Regiment and participated in the liberation of Holland. After discharge, he joined the City of Toronto Police Force.
In 1954 Neil moved his family to a dairy farm in Greenbank and farmed there until his retirement.
He is a man who believes in community involvement and he sat on the Council of Reach Township. He has volunteered on many boards and committees and his services are personified most notably by his commitment to The Ontario County Milk Committee, the Hospital Board and the Greenbank Church.
Neil resides at the Westshore Retirement Village and is still keenly interested in the happenings in Scugog Township. Thank you Neil, for all those years of service to your country and this community.

Betty Hodgins with Mayor Mercier and Regional Councillor Bobbie Drew.

BETTE HODGINS - Bette started work as a physiotherapist at Community Memorial Hospital in 1976 and progressed through several positions to finally become the Chief Operating Officer with Lakeridge Health, Port Perry.
While working full time and raising her son Jesse with husband Paul, she completed a Masters of Public Administration at Queens University. She served on the Board and Advisory Committee for North House, an organization that supports individuals and families facing housing challenges.
Bette was appointed to the Board of the Scugog Memorial Library and served as Chair from 2006 to 2010. She spearheaded the recruitment of the CEO; led the strategic planning process that has guided the Library expansion; and worked tirelessly on policy development, fundraising and public relations initiatives to ensure the growth and quality of our library.
Those who have the good fortune to work with Bette will recognize the respect she has for others, her personal integrity and excellent communication skills. We have all benefitted from her presence.

Matthew and Nicholas Barnes receive their certificate from Mayor Mercier.

MATTHEW & NICHOLAS BARNES - Matt and Nicholas Barnes are enthusiastic young volunteers at the Scugog Shores Museum. Originally they came to the museum seeking their volunteer hours for school but have stayed on and have continued to help even after they met their requirements.
These young men have helped at volunteer work bees, cleaning the museum and organizing storage areas, and we have been grateful for their assistance at our big events including “Dog Days” and “Pioneer Days”.
They have cheerfully completed even the most tedious tasks assigned to them including carrying heavy objects, running errands and tidying up generally. They have shown a genuine interest and enthusiasm in the historical aspects of the museum and Matt chose to shadow the Museum Curator for his Grade 10 careers class project.
The boys are involved in scouting in Port Perry and at the age of 15 years, these twins are outstanding representatives of the younger generation and fully deserve being honoured by their community.

ARNOLD & JEAN WILLIAMS - Arnold and Jean Williams have served this community for over forty years. They are the epitome of being a volunteer. Their satisfaction comes from being part of the community, never expecting any official acknowledgement or reward.
The Nestleton Community Centre could never have functioned without Arnold’s constant assistance fixing whatever needed to be fixed, recycling chairs, removing the garbage, cleaning and locking up after every function.
The two of them, along with Arnold’s garden tractor and wagon, are fixtures at every event.
Everyone who uses Cartwright Fields, the garden club, the girl guides and boy scouts, and all the others will tell you Arnold and Jean are an integral part of this facility also. Their gentle nature and encouragement to others have earned them the respect of the community. Thank you so much for your many years of dedication and hard work.

Mayor Mercier and Councillor Wilma Wooten.

CHRISTIAN REFORM CHURCH / EPSOM-UTICA UNITED CHURCH - The Scugog Christian Reformed Church and The Epsom/Utica United Church are two of fifteen churches that have partnered with the Canadian Food Grains Bank program to “End Hunger” in developing countries. Sponsored by corporate and private businesses and individuals, the churches have coordinated and organized the community programs within Scugog Township. Budgets have been established to cover expenses such as rental of land, fertilizer and crop insurance. Community farmers provide the equipment and labour to plant the seed, fertilize and harvest the crop.
Rather than incurring the costs to ship the crops to a specific country in need, the yield of the two projects is turned into cash. These proceeds are multiplied four times by the Federal Government and provide food aid for disaster areas. This aid takes the form of funding for seeds, tools, new farming methods, nutrition programs, and improved water and sanitation facilities.
The churches have been involved for thirty years and this year alone they raised $75,000. Over the years, with the Federal Government’s contribution they have helped millions of starving people all over the world. We salute the efforts of the Epsom/Utica United Church and the Hope Christian Reformed Church for their enormous contribution to help “End Hunger”. Ivan DeJong and Rob Evans are receiving the award on behalf of their respective organizations.

Mayor Chuck Mercier, right, presents award to Scugog Lake Stewards
representatives Jamie Ross and Barbara Karthein.

SCUGOG LAKE STEWARDS INC. - Scugog Lake Stewards Inc. was formed from the founding organization called The Scugog Shores Millennium Project. Its main goal is to understand, improve and protect the health of Lake Scugog. Since its inception, the organization has done many things.
The stewards have attempted to educate the public about the importance of shoreline naturalization and its’ role in cleaning the lake. They have become leaders in research and technologies associated with storm water retention ponds, bio swales, private wastewater systems, shoreline erosion controls, lakeside property maintenance and much more.
Through the “Blue Canoe” program, “Life on the Lake” articles in the Focus magazine, various conferences, and their collaborative work with the Kawartha Lakes Conservation Authority, the Stewards continue their work.
Most recently, their research project with milfoil weevils to attempt to reduce the Eurasian water milfoil has drawn a great deal of interest from other agencies and groups.
The Stewards are dedicated volunteers aiming at only the best for Lake Scugog and its environment. Thank you to all past and present members.