Lion Peter Minnelli with the winners of the Lions’ Canada Day drawing contest themed, Why is Canada Special for You? Photo credit: Bob Reddick
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
The above quote is the rallying cry for Lions everywhere to take collective action and collaboration. It sums up perfectly how shared effort, teamwork, and community support can put on a birthday celebration like no other.
It was a hot and steamy day at the Westport Lions Beach, but that didn’t deter hundreds of people from celebrating Canada’s 159th birthday. Actually, a gentle breeze coming from Westport Sand Lake made for a pleasant day.
Starting at noon, one of the largest crowds ever flocked to the beach to enjoy live music provided by the Adam Knapp Band and disc jockey Tom Gard of All-Star Karaoke. Artist Jessica McTavish of Pixie Pie Face Painting and Victor Limbeek, known as the Bubble Guy, delighted young people throughout the afternoon. To satisfy the hungry crowd, Lion members and volunteers served 235 free hot dogs, freezies and drinks donated by Ragu and Raman Sharma of Circle K. Other generous sponsors for the celebrations at the beach include Rideau Valley Hearth & Home, Lynn Brothers Construction, Bob O’Connell Cut & Trim and Madden Tree Service.
This year’s version of the Westport Lions Canada Day Drawing Contest was a big hit with local children. Seventy-five entries from children aged 6 to 12 were received, with the theme: Why Is Canada Special for You? Entries were judged on the basis of artistic merit, originality and creative use of Canadian symbols. The judges had a difficult time deciding on the winners as there were an incredible number of excellent entries. The winning entries were: Aurora Brus, Charlie Dawson, Jade LeRoux, Quinn Hitchens, Sadie Konarzycki, Adelle Campbell, Victoria Ferguson, Isla Rexworthy On, Ocisara Rankin, and Lillith McDevitt. All winners received a certificate from the Westport Lions Club, vouchers courtesy of Circle K and Vanilla Bean, the sponsor of the contest, and a water bottle from the Norman Lapointe Foundation.
Spearheaded by Cait Maloney, designed by S.J. Hereford and financed by the Norman Lapointe Foundation, 20 banners of contest drawings from past winners will be installed around Westport this summer. The plan is to add more banners with future contest winners.
The winner of the Westport Lions $1500 Cash Draw, sponsored by Rosebush Energies, was Charmaine Cota, a long-time summer resident of Westport. The second prize of $500 went to Carol Grant of Westport. Althia Makpah, Don Paul, Cynthia Haul and Walter Kirst got their choice of $50 gift certificates from The Cove, Tangled Garden, Evergreen and Rideau Lakes Golf Courses, and Wood Fire Café. A special thank you to everyone who bought tickets for this draw.
The Westport Canada Planning Committee, chaired by Cait Maloney, met monthly to plan this year’s Canada Day Festivities. The other committee members are Ami Carty, Cathy and Guy Davison, Dave Wickenden, Marty Hawkins and Peter Minnelli. Not only has this committee planned this year’s events, but has also done so for several years. They deserve our deepest appreciation.