by Betty Bardswich
MINDEMOYA—The board members of Community Living Manitoulin (CLM) did a great job of decorating the activity centre at the Mindemoya Missionary Church on October 17 as the organization celebrated at their annual Harvest Ball.
Interim Executive Director Wayne Janzen welcomed CLM members, staff and parents and handed out many well-deserved certificates of merit.
Arthur Hanes was one of the first to be called up and he received an Enterprising Worker award, followed by Annamarie Bateman who was given a Dedicated Worker certificate and Brock Case who shows skill with computers. Bradley Cooper was pronounced a movie connoisseur and Bruce Vanhorne was praised for his music skills as well as Tim Bradley who was proclaimed a musical minstrel. Kathy Leclair was given a healthy goals award and Clarrisa Moggy was praised for her creativity. To great applause, Keith Noble was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
It seemed only fitting that Katie Dopson-Pitman receive an award in communications as she joined Mr. Janzen at the front of the room to help him hand out awards and proved that she was a natural on the microphone and in front of an audience. As she called different people up for their awards, Ms. Dopson had several humorous remarks to make, usually directed at staff.
The festivities didn’t end with the awards ceremony. Next were draws for door prizes with board member Tyler Madahbee doing the honours of pulling names for the gifts. Next, Karlene Scott, who is also on the CLM board, pulled out her tickle trunk and gave out costumes for people to wear and asked them to pose for photographs.
Wanda Clayton, a counsellor staff member at CLM, was at the celebration and said, “The Harvest Ball is always a great outing. I love seeing everyone dressed up and the smiles and excitement over their awards and dancing and socializing. It makes supporting our individuals a great pleasure.” Ms. Clayton has been at CLM going on six years and has never missed this celebration.
The CLM individuals were indeed dressed up with beautiful dresses, tops and hairdos while a lot of the men wore cowboy hats and black vests and pants. Author of the book ‘Life, Loss and Friends,’ Marie Celeste Cranston looked stunning in a mauve outfit while Mary-Beth Tailios was also beautifully dressed.
A very special moment occurred at the celebration as Phillip Roy asked to take over the microphone. Mr. Roy recently suffered a heart attack and he gave a heartfelt talk as he spoke about his experience and thanked everyone who had helped him through that difficult time.
The evening also featured the music of Barry Williamson, Bob Swihart, Jeff Gilmore, Larry Karn and Jeff Pyette, also known as Double Barrel, and it didn’t take long for people to hit the dance floor and to enjoy sandwiches, squares and tea and coffee throughout the evening.
