Epic march for Food Bank!
On Saturday, May 28 there is a great, fitness event happening to support the many people who operate, need and volunteer at the Help Centre Food Bank in Mindemoya, run by Manitoulin Family Resources. This inaugural event will begin at the township office in Kagawong. Please help raise awareness of our communities’ need by joining the march or donating a non-perishable food product or monetary gift along the route or to Dean’s Valu-Mart in Gore Bay, Guardian Drug stores in Little Current and Manitowaning or directly to the MFR Help Centre in Mindemoya.
The fun begins at 9 am in Kagawong then an easy 15km walk to M’Chigeeng for a rest at the Band Office and then a 12km jaunt to Mindemoya at the MFR headquarters on Forest Street.
Sudbury Rocks, rockers!
Hats off to the inspirational Fisher/Odjig family of Wikwemikong. On this past weekend, they completed quite a feat by having four generations run in the Sudbury Rocks event to raise funds to fight diabetes. Led by the amazing patriarch Donald Scotty Fisher (soon to be 90 years, young), the family demonstrated their athleticism as well as support for an important cause. Included in this rare accomplishment were Scotty’s son Steven and wife Sarah, grandchildren (Jaqueline and Marshall) and his great-grandchildren who all joined the legendary “Grey Coach” in a very successful event.
Their clan joined many other excellent Island runners! In the 42km marathon hats off to Little Current’s Steve Fessenden. In the 10km race, ‘way to go’ to Tammy Rolston, Leslie Marshall, Paula Recollet, Randy Recollet, Julian Wemigwans, Myrna Wemigwans, Leslie Recollet, Laura Hagman and Melissa Brandon.
In the 5, Birch Island’s Avery Sutherland easily took gold in her 12 and under division with an amazing 22:38 clocking. Interestingly, Avery was just 50 seconds behind 30 – 39 winner Tessa Bonhomme (formerly an instructor at the Rainbow Country Hockey School, Olympic Gold Medalist and now national sportscaster)! Wikwemikong’s Sierra Pangowish was 3rd in the 12 and under division. In the boys’ division Benjamin Marshall took 7th. Also having great runs were: Shaolin Roy, Jessica Marshall, Patrick Beaudry, Ashley Mishibinijima, Dominic Beaudry, Natasha Rueter, Cameryn Beaudry, Linda Faubert, Noella Pitawanakwat, Lisa George, Brenda Beaudry, Marc Faubert, Frances Mandamin, Yvette Corbiere, Patty Debassige, Mariette Sutherland, Autumn Peltier, Stephanie Peltier and Diane Meehan. Congratulations to all participants!
Around the Bay’ers!
Missing in my earlier coverage of all the Around the Bay events were Heather Eismont and Grade 7 daughter Haylee Cress. The avid runners, competed in the 5 km race with some 2,300+ runners. Haylee was amazing, placing 377th, easily eclipsing Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne! For her age group (10-14), she was 11th out of 52 with a chip time of 26:54. The pair have registered for the Road to Hope half marathon being held this November in Hamilton as well. Good luck team!
Legion track and field opportunity
Good news: The Legion Branch 514 from Gore Bay will once again cover the entry fee for athletes who are interested in attending the District ‘H’ Legion Track and Field Meet on June 11! The 2016 meet at Laurentian University in Sudbury is a great event and the stepping stone to the provincials and eventual nationals as Evansville’s Joseph Maxwell did enroute to becoming a Legion Canadian record holder! Interested members of the Manitoulin Legion Track Team are requested to contact Daryl Leighton at (705) 282-9946 or by email at: dtleighton@hotmail.com. There is a maximum of four events per athlete. The deadline to send him information for on-line registration is May 30th, but please contact him in advance so that he can provide the necessary forms; don’t miss out!
Hockey awards time
Congratulations to Everett Webkamigad (son of Brad, a longtime member of the Wiky Hawks and Thunderbirds and wife Liz) on his hockey accomplishments. Last week Everett, playing in Sault Ste. Marie, was awarded the Most Gentlemanly Player Trophy by a panel of 5 coaches. Everett is a stalwart defenseman for the Sports Gold Rush Minor Bantams. The Rush are the 2016 N.O.H.A. Minor Bantam AA Champions having defeated the Nickel City Sons in the Championship final.
NAHC results!
In the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships the Ontario Female squad won Silver while the Ontario Male team bowed out in the Bronze Medal game. Island participants Deidre Debassige, Janelle Manitowabi, Tanner Webkamigad and Gregory Trudeau-Paquet contributed substantially to their respective team’s success.
A good sport is good for sports.
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