Canada Day Celebrations wee held on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Haldimand Memorial Arena in Grafton.
Traditionally, Alnwick/Haldimand celebrates the Sunday before Canada Day.
This was the first year since COVID the community has been able to come together and celebrate Canada Day.
Township Crier Liam Craig kicked off the ceremonies inside the arena shortly after 1 p.m.
O’Canada was sung by Pat Kelleher followed by welcoming remarks by Mayor Gail Latchford and MPP David Piccini.
Then there was the presentation of the Civic Awards.
2021 Civic Awards
Citizen of the Year
Fred Sharpe
Fred Sharpe has been a Northumberland 4-H volunteer since 1984 and over the past 35 years, has led more than 87 clubs and assumed many leadership roles. As a life-long learner who continues to seek new challenges, Fred continues to participate in 4-H opportunities to learn, build relationships and maintain his passion. Noted by a fellow 4-H leader, “When it comes to 4-H, Fred is there; in Northumberland and beyond.”
Fred has fulfilled many roles within the Northumberland 4-H Association, including Secretary, Vice-President, President, Screening Coordinator, Newsletter Editor and presently, Association Representative, Region 3 Vice-President and Bingo Coordinator. As the Bingo Coordinator since 2013, Fred has raised $42,000 which has been used to dozens of member and leader opportunities, along with association and club expenses.
“Fred’s leadership style allows members to develop confidence. Our youngest Brian was afraid of using a saw and was very worried about going to his first woodworking meeting but came home ready and eager to return because Fred gave him the opportunity to be successful,” says Mary Catherine O’Neill, 4-H leader and parent.
Fred has also been part of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 580 for 31 years, over which time he has held many executive positions including Membership Chair, Ways and Means Chair, Bar Chair and Bingo Chair. In addition, Fred shares his expertise in building projects and plays a very important role in keeping the Legion open and in good repair.
(From 4-H Ontario)
Jr. Citizen of the Year
Austin Pettey
For the second season Austin has opened “Austin’s Agricultural Adventure”, a roadside market selling ground beef, eggs, kindling, firewood, composted manure and seasonal items. He brings a little “economic development” to the Roseneath area and is a strong supporter of buy local. He comes from a farming family with roots in education so not surprising he turned his roadside stand into a school project. Check out Webb View Farms tour for elementary 2021 on Youtube.com.
Austin is also a dedicated and strong athlete and we see great things in his future.
(From Deputy Mayor Gibson)
Outstanding Community Spirit during COVID-19
Shasta Morey and John (Ed) Mulvey
These two people have supported the citizens of Grafton and more particularly the congregants and adherents of the St. Andrews United Church. Shasta with her organizational and multi talented music skills and John with his technical and filming skills. They kept the community going by recording church services and posting on you tube. By supporting those congregants and community members they helped maintain a positive outlook giving the viewers hope and a sense of togetherness. There
were many individuals who were involved in the filmed services but it was Shasta and John who week after week pulled it off and allowed the church to continue spreading positive and supportive services. They made the extra effort.
(From Laurie Deviney)
Outstanding Athletic Achievement
Liam Filip
Liam has played AAA hockey since he was 9 years of age for the Quinte Red Devils and Vaughan Kings. He has also played competitive soccer, lacrosse and track and field. He has received the most improved player of the year at the Hill Academy Secondary School in Grade 9. Liam in 2021/22 played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Cobourg Cougars and currently for the Lindsay Muskies in
the 2022/23 year. He was also selected for the OJHL All Star Prospect team in March of 2022 (Team Northwest). Not only is Liam an excellent athlete but he also excels in his academics with the following: Science award for the highest mark in grade 8, received an academic scholarship to go to the Hill Academy Secondary School for hockey in grade 9, he has achieved honour roll each year of secondary school (both at the Hill Academy and St. Mary’s secondary school), currently has a mark average of 90% in
grade 12 (finishing up last few courses currently), accepted an offer of admission to the University of Waterloo for Geography and Aviation, has received a University of Waterloo Merit Scholarship for academic achievement. Volunteered for the following organizations: 7th Annual Angel Tournament coach in Burlington (Angel
Project Foundation), Shelter Valley Pines summer youth camp assistant, March Break Shinny Organizer at Grafton arena, Grace Bowen cancer fundraiser at Grafton arena, Power skating coach/volunteer, Various volunteering opportunities with OJHL hockey teams to contribute to the community.
Outstanding Community Service
Grafton Green Thumbs
Alex Borowik a director on GreenThumbs board will be accepting the award.
Grafton Green Thumbs is very much a community organization that encourages interest in gardening and related environmental issues by providing leadership and education for our members and non members. Grafton Green Thumbs, previously known as the Grafton Horticultural Society, has been a part of this community for 97 years.
Highlights of their work:
· Maintaining the gardens at the Town Hall and Wicklow Heritage Park, Grafton Heritage Park and Haldimand Court.
· Monthly speaker platform usually held in person at St. Andrew’s United Church.
· Offer a yearly $ 500. bursary to a student who is attending a college or university. To qualify for the bursary their course of study needs to be in an agricultural, horticultural, landscaping or environmental field.
· Youth Go Go Grafton Gardeners – to educate and involve the youth in gardening in the community. This program takes place at Grafton Public School in their greenhouse and outdoors at their 7 raised beds, after school during the school year. The youth are taught all aspects of gardening and beyond – planting seeds, transplanting, weeding gardens, harvesting vegetables, delivery of the vegetables to Fair Share. They have also created – to name a few items – garden art, wooden window boxes, hypertufa planters, table centerpieces, grapevine wreaths. Go Go Gardeners began 1969, except for the last 2 Covid years, has not skipped a year.
· Beautification initiative for Grafton, they have the Outstanding Front Garden Award. This is presented to the gardener, a resident of Grafton or a member based on several visits throughout the summer.
· Planting trees is also one of the beautification projects that they participate in. For millennium, 1000 lilac trees, which is the plant symbolic of the club, were planted throughout the township along roads, churches and schools. A Tulip tree was planted at Haldimand Court in 2020, and a Hazel tree at the Wicklow Heritage Park restoration in 2019.
• Sunflower contest first annual – about 140 participants entered in Summer 2021. Sunflowers were judged in 2 categories largest head and tallest, for adults and under 12 yrs. On October 16th winners were announced by Liam Cragg at the Grafton Inn and presented with bird houses made by a member.
• Over the years benches have been placed at numerous locations
· Added 12 outdoor planters to the County Rd 2 in Grafton to beautify the Hamlet of Grafton for the Year of the Garden
Following the Civic awards there was a presentation of the Alnwick/Haldimand Heritage Committee school map, and then the cake cutting.
Outside events including the Bike Decorating Contest and Rodeo, free hot dogs, cold drinks, popcorns, and snow comes.
There were also a bouncy castle and a Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Department Obstacle Course for the children.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
