One of the many floats in this year’s Westport Lions Santa Claus parade.
The Rideau District High School provided Christmas music at this year’s Westport Lions Santa Claus parade.
Westport Lion Jim Scala and members presented a cheque to Athens Lion Club in appreciation of the support by the Tackaberry family. From the left, George & Kevin Tackaberry, Jeannette Harper, Bruce Maynard, Cheryl Couper Scala, and Jim Scala.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
It was a busy week for the Westport Lions. At the Westport Arts Council’s Christmas market on Friday, November 24, the Lions served free hot chocolate and sold Christmas cakes. Several Lions commented on how polite all the young people were when requesting and thanking members for their hot chocolate.
It is often said that it takes a village to educate a child, it also takes a village to put on a Santa Claus parade. Even the weather was perfect to make the day wonderful. Lion Marty Hawkins, director of this year’s parade, says there were 38 entrants in the parade, and 38 businesses donated money to make this year’s parade possible. The Westport Lions thank all participants, volunteers and sponsors who helped to make the parade successful. Special thanks to the OPP for their support.
The Westport Daycare won the award for the float that displayed the closest to the theme of a Gingerbread Christmas. Maple Rock Holsteins had the best overall float, and the Elgin Lions Club received an honourable mention for their RIVER QUEEN. Dan Patterson, owner of D.L.P. Kitchens, won the new award for the best gingerbread dog. The Westport Lions thank judges Betty Jo MacDougall and Ken Rose. Next year’s parade theme is Reuse and Recycle Christmas.
The three lucky young people who held the winning parade brochures are:
Oliva, granddaughter of Colin and Cheryle Abernethy held brochure number 75.
Parker, represented by grandparents Dan & Joey Grunig possessed brochure number 125.
Leo, grandson of Heather & Livio Biscaro and Kevin & Heather Lackey held brochure number 175. Each child received a $20 bill.
The Westport Lions and the Westport Rideaus wish to thank the community for their generous donations of food and money to the Westport Food Bank and toys and money to the Lions’ Christmas toy drive.
Fifteen Lions from Westport travelled to Athens Lions Club’s annual appreciation night on Tuesday, November 28. The enthusiasm and positivity at the event were felt by all. The purpose of the evening was to celebrate and thank the community for their support in 2023. Athens’ President, Tim Sargent, said it best, “It is not the Athens, Westport, Elgin, or Seeley’s Bay Lions Clubs that make the difference, it is the community.”
Director of Ceremonies, Sean Seabrooke kept the evening rolling by awarding chevrons to Athens’ members who have served their community for more than 50 years, other presentations were made to worthy causes like the Athens Food Bank. Several raffles were held, and an auction. The highlight of the auction, and the item that caused the most cheering was a cute, impressive, four-foot carved bear that eventually went to George Tackaberrry for $3,000.
Westport Lion Jim Scala presented President Tim Sargent of the Athens Club with a cheque in appreciation of the generous support of Kevin & George Tackaberry. Kevin and George allow the Westport Lions to use their building at 5229 Salem Road free of charge for the club’s Reuse and Recycle Centre. Knowing that the Tackaberry family would not personally accept a donation, the Westport Lions decided to donate to the Athens Lions Club to show its appreciation.
Westport Lions Club 