Each year, volunteers in the community are recognized by the Westmeath District Recration Associatoin (WDRA). This year is no different, with three individuals and a couple being recognized. (All submissions and photos by Bob Grylls.)
The married couple of Lifetime Volunteers this year is Laurine and Eric Blackwell. As the story goes, Eric from Westmeath met Laurine in Pembroke and they hit it off. On their very first date, Eric took her to the Burger King in the west end.
About 50 years ago, Laurine and Eric were very active with the old rink, Laurine helping out in the booth and Eric was the money collector at the door.
They have four children; Trevor, Terry, Bonnie and Robbie. When the boys began playing hockey, Eric could usually be found in the rink watching the games. Eric was a long time member of Westmeath’s volunteer fire department.
Laurine was trained in first aid. She also belonged to St. John’s Ambulance and was present at all games in case someone got hurt. She always made sure there was a stretcher and first aid supplies available at the rink. Then in 1967, she organized the Westmeath majorettes that always led the parade for Westmeath Day and some years afterwards.
Both often volunteered at the school and were active in their church. Laurine was famous for her delicious and beautifully decorated cakes that she donated to many local events.
Both were dedicated to the seniors club. Laurine was President for a few years. She was always involved, known as one of those behind-the-scenes organizer. Her attention to detail was important as the food co-ordinator of the soup and sandwiches. She made sure the food always made it on time.
Eric was always available to take in money for events. He was also quite adept in the hall kitchen, especially peeling potatoes and carrots.
This year Sherry Ethier is the Youth Volunteer recipient.
Sherry, 15, grew up in Westmeath, attended Our Lady of Grace Catholic School and is currently at Bishop Smith Catholic High School. Her parents are Jennifer and Jeff, her siblings Amber and Dustin.
She has always been involved in the church, in school and her community. She was an altar service for six years at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. At high school she is in a concert band, while also playing four sports. In the community she has helped with many seniors activities and church functions.
Sherry has played minor hockey and ball since she was four years old. Active in 4-H since she was able to join at the age of nine but has attended meetings since she was six with her older sister. Through 4-H, she has volunteered at many community functions including the Christmas in the Village concerts. She recently became a 4-H youth leader and has completed 20 4-H clubs.
Last fall Sherry become the very first Youth Ambassador to the WDRA. Sherry participates in the monthly meetings and brings good ideas and suggestions to the table. This affiliation helped the committee improve relationships with community youths and they in turn volunteer their services more frequently.
Sherry is outgoing and self confident and a very, very busy girl. At the moment she is in three 4- H clubs, plays on two ball teams, plays soccer and ball hockey. As well she works at the rink, is the youth ambassador and a youth leader for 4-H. By the way, she is also on the honour roll at school.
The WDRA believes that with Sherry’s enthusiasm and motivation she is the type of young person that will become invaluable to the community for years to come.
Sherry has career aspirations too; probably an occupational therapist or maybe a physiotherapist.
The Westmeath District Recreation Association Volunteer of the Year is Neil Nicholson.
Neil, born in Saskatchewan, was in the Armed Services arriving in Battalion Petawawa in 2006. He settled in on Yakabuskie Road with his wife Dana and theirfour children; Chela, Quaid, Nya and Kelz.
They have a family farm, called Old McDonald’s, with a little of everything on it, even a pet donkey called Matilda. This family farm allows Neil’s amazing work ethic to help reflect the same from his kids.
He retired in 2014 after23 years of service. Neil has a Master’s in War Studies. He is currently working on his final paper to earn a Master’s degree in Emergency & Disaster Relief Services.
Neil has always had the desire to give and make a difference. He loves teaching kids and organizing activities for them,
Neil became the WDRA’s sports convener in 2015 and went to work to make a difference for all the youths in the community.
He became involved in hockey at Muskrat and local levels, organized ball hockey, conducted both youth and adult skating lessons, has added to hockey equipment storage space and had a shed built for storing softball equipment right at the field.
Using his administrative skills, Neil is chairing the community centre’s infrastructure team, identifying problems and necessary upgrades while working closely with Whitewater Region and Renfrew County to get them on our side.
Neil showed his fortitude when the Westmeath Public School was slated to close. His gifted leadership and communication skills, along with a devoted team, led a vigorous and unflinching campaign to keep the school open – even though the attempt was not successful.
This community is fortunate to have someone so interested in getting involved in our community. Besides that, we all like him.
This year Leatrice Norlock has been chosen for one of two Lifetime Volunteer awards. This is a second celebration for Leatrice. Recently, she and Eddie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family.
They have four children; Albert, Anna, Willard and Louise and 12 grandchildren. It was a busy family. Anytime a grandchild, especially Michael and Moriah, needs any stain out of a piece of clothing or just a good ironing job, they are sure to ask their grandmother. She always does the best job.
Leatrice grew up in Westmeath and was always involved in the rinks. In the old rink she took a regular turn in running the canteen, often doing the cleaning there to help things along. When the new arena opened, it was now helping out in a modern kitchen. She always seemed to be there, especially as a member of the Riverview Social Seniors Club. Any time the WDRA needed help, Leatrice volunteered to bring food and do kitchen duty.
She and Pauline Wright signed up for seniors quite a few years before they were actual seniors just so they could volunteer their time and drive the members to other places, and help out in the kitchen.
She canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society each year, going door-to-door. Leatrice and Eddie participated in the “Relay or Life” for the last 12 years in Petawawa and in Beachburg the last two years.
These days, the couple are often teased about how often they are spotted at church dinners far and wide. They love eating out.
They really like country music and scouring the papers to see where bands are playing. If there is a dinner being served too, that’s even better. They have no limits and travel as far as Eganville to hear the best country music around. It doesn’t matter whether the band is made up of youngsters or old-timers, as long as the tunes are good.
There isn’t an exact count of how many years Leatrice has been involved in the Westmeath Catholic Women’s League, but it is a long time. She is the ‘Organization Convener’, collecting of membership dues each year.
Congratulations Leatrice.
