TOWNSHIP OF ADMASTON/BROMLEY — Admaston-Bromley Township council honours individuals and groups in its community for their accomplishments and giving back to the community.
Last Thursday, the honours were handed out by Mayor Mike Donohue.
This year’s recipients are St. Patrick’s Parade organizers; Victims Services of Renfrew County; Douglas Lions; and Renfrew County Junior Farmers.
Prior to each presentation, Mayor Donohue read aloud why each person or group were chosen.
Faye Cassista, Victim Services of Renfrew County Inc.
Faye Cassista, a Program Co-ordinator with Victim Services of Renfrew County, is one of only 20 individuals and organizations across the province chosen to receive the Ontario’s Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction.
This award recognizes the exceptional achievements of dedicated professionals, organizations and volunteers working to raise awareness of victims’ issues, advocate on their behalf and provide support when victims need it most. None are more deserving, as Faye works with those most victimized.
With Victim Services of Renfrew County since 2002, Faye is a program co-ordinator and is the lead for high-risk domestics, sexual assaults, homicides and human trafficking victims. Owing to a well-earned and reciprocal respect, Faye has established with community partners, she has been successful in finding needed services in our communities for victims of the most heinous and wrenching crimes. Recognized for her ability to connect with people and build a trust-based rapport, Faye’s empowerment approach works to restore individuals’ sense of self-worth and guides them as they reclaim and move forward with their lives.
In addition to her front-line care for victims, Faye sits on the local situation table and is a founding board member and response volunteer of the local critical incident response team. She is also a volunteer board member of the HandiBus organization and works relief shifts at a local women’s shelter.
Thank you, Faye, for your compassionate commitment to the most victimized and vulnerable among us.
Renfrew County Junior Farmers
At the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario’s AGM and Conference this past March, the Renfrew County Junior Farmers were named 2017 Club of the Year. This marked the first time the title has ever been bestowed on the Renfrew County Junior Farmers.
While there were many highlights from the Sesquicentennial year that factored into the win, a few stood out. In 2017 they celebrated over 100 years of Junior Farmers in Renfrew County with an enormously successful banquet in January. They organized a bottle drive that raised over $1,200 for the Cobden Food Bank and had consistently large member participation in provincial events throughout the year. They hosted members from across the province at the annual Autumn Profile event in October at the Dacre and Area Community Centre, with, as they acknowledge, tremendous support from the community. Epitomizing the community spirit that I celebrate and encourage, the Renfrew County Junior Farmers are quick to recognize what they call, “the amazing support we received from our family, alumni, and the community.” They have carried their success through 2018 and continue to give back so generously to the community through donations, club projects and volunteering.
Junior Farmers provides opportunities for young people in our communities and while members tend to be rural, contrary to its name the Association welcomes members of any and all backgrounds. JFAO’s mission is To Build Future Rural Leaders, Through Self-Help and Community Betterment. Present in Renfrew County for over a century it has excelled in this mission, to which alumnus Bob Dick, a Township Councillor now for over 20 years, is testament. Boasting a current membership of 29, I encourage all those between 15 and 29 years of age to consider joining the exceptional and vibrant Renfrew County Junior Farmers. The club meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Cobden Agricultural Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Douglas Lions Club
The Douglas Lions Club Charter of January 28, 1948 lists the names of 38 men who shared a passion for their community. Now one of 47,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the globe.
While the names may have changed over the span of 70 years, each and every Douglas Lion has lived the Lions Club Motto: We Serve
The Douglas Lions Club has provided for our community in ways both large and small. They founded the Douglas Fire Department with the acquisition of a 1938 Dodge Fargo Pumper Truck. It also met an enormous pledge with a $50,000 donation to the first major expansion to Renfrew Victoria Hospital, and has more recently contributed $5,000 to Hospice Renfrew, and has been an integral part of both the Santa Claus and St Patrick’s Parades in Douglas.
They have perhaps had a more direct impact in the many and varied contributions to individuals and families in need in our community. These have ranged from fire and disaster assistance to financial assistance for needed medical devices to brightening the Christmases of our Senior community with annual fruit basket deliveries.
I believe I attended every Christmas Turkey bingo in Douglas organized by the Lions. It held great appeal for a boy of eight – upon hearing a lucky winner exclaim “bingo” – to hear several runners up, with equal enthusiasm, exclaim “damn”.
Donna Bimm is the President of the Douglas Lions Club. Donna has the distinction of being one of the first women to join the club. Donna is a hard worker and member who rarely misses a meeting and is gifted in her organizational skills. Donna was inspired to become a member of the Douglas Lions Club by the dedication her late father Jim Gilchrist had to the club.
Duncan McQuitty is the oldest member of the Douglas Lions Club and has been a loyal, member for almost 40 years. Affectionately known as the ticket man throughout the valley, by general consensus it’s believed no one in the area has not purchased a raffle ticket from Duncan. Duncan’s hard sale approach has made him the top raffle ticket seller in the club.
Kevin VanWoezik has been an active member for almost 30 years. Even with his building contracting business and duties as Fire Chief of the Douglas Fire Department, Kevin finds time to serve his club and our community. Kevin’s natural environment must be the Lions Club Food Trailer, as he is invariably found there at the pancake breakfast hosted by the Lions at the Frosty Fun Carnival or during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March.
Terry McHale has served as a Douglas Lions Club member for 44 years. Terry is also very well known throughout the community for his many years of dedication and service as Fire Chief of the Douglas Fire Department. He, along with Evelyn, are also the esteemed hosts at the Douglas Tavern during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The monies raised for various worthy causes throughout our community at this yearly event, through the auctioning of prized items, is always so very appreciated.
St Patrick’s Parade Organizing Committee
This annual parade has become a must-see event on the Ottawa Valley social calendar, whether 25 above or 40 below. From its inception in 2012 it has grown every year thanks to the organizing committee of Preston Cull, Art Jamieson, Bill McHale and Robert Enright.
Not averse to change or shaking things up and trying something new, these gentlemen made the decision to switch this yearly traditional parade from Friday night to Saturday. A wise decision made evident by the growing number of people coming out to watch the parade and the increasing number of floats and entrants. Organizing and bringing new ideas to this annual event is a year-long project. The last float has barely returned to the staging area when these dedicated volunteers are looking for ways to make the next year’s event bigger and better. March 2018 was the seventh edition of this March classic. Each year the committee selects deserving members of the community to fill the two honourary roles that enhance the parade experience, the Parade Marshal and of course St. Patrick.
Last year when this community-minded group heard that the Dacre & Area Community Centre had been badly damaged by vandals, they spear-headed in October 2018 a massive 6-hand euchre fundraiser with the proceeds going to assist DACA in their rebuilding efforts.
The strong community spirit, love of fun and ability to be a driving force are qualities these gentlemen bring to bear in making this yearly event so successful.
It is widely understood that no small measure of their success is that each is imbued with considerable blarney genes. When asked what surprises may be in store for `the 2019 edition of the St Patrick`s Parade, the reply delivered with a wink and grin was “Stay Tuned.”
