Manitoulin Snowdusters hosting second annual Poker Chip Run in memory of Todd “TC” Corbiere
MANITOULIN—A couple of more stops have been added on from last year for those who participate and want to get their sheets stamped as part of the second annual Poker Chip Run in Memory of Todd “TC” Corbiere being hosted by the Manitoulin Snowdusters. The event starts tomorrow, February 1.
“We have 38 businesses participating this year, a few more than last year, with the addition of new stops at Whitefish River First Nation, Sheguiandah First Nation and Killarney,” said Chris Laidley, a member of the Snowdusters, last week. “Again, this year, participants can drive their snowmobile, car, whatever to the stops to get their sheets stamped.” He noted that for those using a snowmobile and using one of the local snow trails, an Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) trail permit is required.
Mr. Laidley noted that participants can travel to each stop, sign up for the event, provide their participant run sheet and draw a coloured chip from a package. “At the end of the event we will hold a draw to figure out the value of the coloured chips and the person with the highest value at the end will win.”
A poker hand costs each participant $30 each, said Mr. Laidley. He explained, “One of the new things in place this year is that people can buy tickets for a dance ($30 each) and dinner ($60 each) taking place at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre on April 6 (which also is the end date for the event).” For those who would like a combination ticket, having purchased a poker chip hand and are attending the dinner/dance, it is $100 per person or $180 for a couple. The draw will take place that night as well.
For those who want to book a room in the hotel for the evening, as well as take in the dinner/dance, they should book this directly with the Manitoulin Hotel.
The Island businesses that have the chip run hands, and tickets for the dinner/dance include Betty’s Confectionary in Gore Bay, Loco Beanz in Manitowaning, General Store and Gas Bar in Birch Island, Buie’s in Spring Bay, Herbert Fisheries in Killarney, and Laidley Stationery in Little Current.
Participants can only get their participant sheet stamped for their own poker hand, said Mr. Laidley, who explained another new aspect of this year’s are new double point values. If participants in the poker chip run make a purchase at any of the business stops, the value of the coloured chip drawn is doubled.
With the 2023 poker chip run, 11 Todd ‘TC’ Corbiere student bursary prizes of $150 were provided to kids carrying on past high school in a trade.
First prize in the poker chip run is five percent of what is raised through the event plus a gift certificate for $1,000 toward any product offered by Wheels to Water, based in Sheguiandah.
Any business or individual who wants to donate toward the event can contact Mr. Laidley at 705-862-2616 or by email at Laidley67@gmail.com.
