Annual fundraiser helps support The INN St. Thomas-Elgin homeless shelter
March, already!
Even with its extra 29th day this Leap Year, wherever did February get to?
And we’ve hardly had a winter.
But as it does every year around our town, March brings with it some welcome family fun.
Registration now is open for the 11th Shamrock Shuffle, an annual walk and run in support of The INN St. Thomas-Elgin.
Calendared this year for March 23, the Shuffle is the shelter’s only public fundraiser.
“All the monies raised go towards supports such as food, medical supports and transportation costs for the homeless,” says executive director Brian Elliot.
“Every dollar has an impact.”
It’s a morning of serious silliness, with trophies and medals even for best-dressed team (with St. Patrick’s Day very much in fashion).
Registration is in advance through raceroster.com or on the day of, starting at 8 p.m., at event venue Central United Church, where Inn Out of the Cold first opened its doors before growing and moving to Princess Avenue.
“The Shamrock Shuffle is not just a race; it’s an opportunity for families to come together, embrace a healthy lifestyle and make a meaningful impact on our community,” says INN fund development manager Roshna Robin.
“With a 5-kilometre run, a 5-km walk, and a 2-km family walk, the Shamrock Shuffle caters to participants of all ages and fitness levels.”
In addition, the Shuffle is welcoming volunteers as well as sponsors. Both The INN and the Shuffle have Facebook pages.
The Jean Collective is coming to town.
Named in memory of longtime Port Stanley resident Jean Macdougall, the organization was founded by former St. Thomas alderman Helen Cole, whom Macdougall mentored, to promote participation by women in local politics in Sarnia-Lambton, where Helen now lives.
Now, the initiative has inspired an Elgin County Women’s Leadership Conference to be held next month – April, already! – in Aylmer at the East Elgin Community Centre.
The keynote speaker is Kate Graham, a political science professor at Western University who is also a community activist whose research has included the role of women in politics.
A panel includes a number of women in authority, among them Elgin–Middlesex–London Tory MP Karen Vecchio, Central Elgin Coun. Morgaine Halpin and Southwold CAO Lisa Higgs.
The emcee for the event is Rainey Weisler, Bayham deputy mayor.
Helen Cole says the day is a first for Elgin, following a sold-out conference hosted by The Jean Collective last September at the Stonebridge Inn.
“Kathryn Desrosiers attended and is the driving force behind hosting one right in Elgin!”
She’s an Aylmer councillor who has been very much in headlines as of late, accusing Mayor Jack Couckuyt of abuse of power in attempting to replace her as the town rep to Aylmer’s Business Improvement Area.
As a result, town council has voted on the mayor’s suggestion to call in Aylmer’s integrity commissioner to investigate.
Promises the conference: “This empowering event is designed to celebrate and inspire women leaders in our community.
“Get ready for a day filled with insightful keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, and interactive workshops. We’ll cover a wide range of topics including leadership development, personal growth, and leadership strategies.”
It’s April 27. Registration is through Eventbrite.
The conference has a number of sponsors but more are more than welcome.
The Jean Collective is online at thejeancollective.ca.
Meanwhile, another gathering of involved women this Saturday in St. Thomas is already a sold-out success.
It’s an annual Women’s Day of wide-ranging workshops and, this year, features Nora Sanders as lunchtime guest speaker. The Elgin woman was the first deputy minister of justice for fledgling Nunavut, deputy minister of the newly formed Department of First Nations and Métis Relations in Saskatchewan, and latterly, the general secretary of the United Church of Canada.
“This year Women’s Day sold out in a remarkable five days,” says Melissa Kempf, communications office manager of the organizing YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin.
“Our incredible guest speaker Nora Sanders has been a huge draw for guests this year on top of such a wide variety of workshops.”
And just maybe the weather, Melissa notes.
“Having a mild winter as well, I suspect many are ready to jump into spring, too.”
Mild winter, indeed.
Matter of fact, there’s gonna be a lot of people doffing winter wear on Saturday in Port Stanley.
And it’s not just because the forecast is calling for a return of more of the unusual, unseasonably warm weather we’ve had this winter. (Never mind 8 C on Saturday. What about 16 C on Monday?)
So far, 310 people have signed on for Saturday’s annual Port Stanley Polar Bear Dip in Lake Erie, a Childcan funder for the organization that supports children with cancer and their families. As of Thursday a.m., 46 teams had raised just more than $68,000.
Check-in is at 10 a.m. at the Masonic Centre on Fruit Ridge Line at Sunset. From there, shuttle buses take participants to an 11 a.m. plunge at Little Beach, and then return to the hall for a lunch.
Chilly weather last year cut into attendance at the Springwater Maple Syrup Festival, the yearly celebration hosted by the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority.
With this year’s roll-of-the-dice winter, who knows?
The festival runs March 9 to March 17 at Springwater Conservation area from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, with demonstrations of maple sugaring from early times to modern day, and a chance to savour a stack of flapjacks in the pancake house.
Lots of details through catfishcreek.ca.
The room was by no means small.
And it was absolutely packed with people Sunday afternoon in Port Dover at Lighthouse Festival Theatre for a celebration of Simon Joynes’ life. Standing room only — the dream of any theatre’s artistic director, including, I’m sure, Simon, who was for 18 years, artistic director of the Port Stanley Festival Theatre and, before that, the Lighthouse lead. He and family were Dover residents.
Now, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre has set a date for its own celebration for Simon, who died Feb. 4 at just age 65.
It is set for 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 18 at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, with remarks at 5 p.m.ish.
It’s a bright, sunny morning as this entry is being written, as it is every week, on a Thursday morning. And the thermometer, unusually for this unusual winter of ours, reads a seasonal -5 C.
Of course, this particular Thursday is anything but usual because 2024 is a Leap Year, and Thursday is the Feb. 29 we get on the calendar only every four years (give or take, because, like everything there is in life, there are exceptions).
But all that said, this morning is also a morning to wish a very happy birthday to friend Fred Kondal, whose birthday is Feb. 29 and who today turns a wonderful 104 years of age.
I’m sure, though, Fred will remind everyone that, really, as a Leap Day baby whose birthday comes only once every four years, he really is just 26.
At an open house for Fred’s 100th birthday in 2020, Sister Mary spoke of a metaphoric picture of a field of harvested sunflowers, but with one still standing tall and in bloom. She observed Fred’s “extraordinary zest” and called him “an amazing example of enthusiasm and love for life, and faith in a higher power.”
Everyone has been invited to drop by from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 1881 Steakhouse and Bar on Talbot Street East, to wish Fred a happy birthday and many more.
* * *
And that’s that for the next few weeks. This corner will return.
Stay well.
ericbunnellspeople@gmail.com
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