GORDON—A very deserving member of Gordon/Barrie Island Township has been recognized for her efforts by the council and community with the 2016 municipal Senior of the Year Award.
“First of all, I would like to welcome everybody here today on behalf of council,” stated Lee Hayden, reeve of Gordon/Barrie Island at a seniors’ tea held June 16. “I feel it is so important to get together at least once a year to celebrate a main source of volunteers in the community, our seniors.”
“We celebrate seniors in June,” said Reeve Hayden. “The boundary line between middle age and old age in our society cannot be defined exactly because governments and organizations don’t apply standard definitions or meanings. There are many community members who may have reached an age designated by others as a senior, however, they are more active and involved in the community than ever.”
“People may consider themselves seniors because of changes in activities or social roles-when they become grandparents or when their health declines. Some consider themselves seniors when they officially retire from the workplace,” said Reeve Hayden. “Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. who retired from the Supreme Court in 1932 at the age of 90, once said ‘old is 15 years older than I am now.’ He must have been a young man at heart.”
“When I look around this gathering today, I do not see a measurement in terms of birthdays,” said Reeve Hayden. “I see a group of active people with an enormous amount of life experiences that to me, command respect for all you have accomplished in your lives.”
“We are celebrating senior’s month, but also celebrating those energetic volunteers in our community,” continued Reeve Hayden.
“Volunteering is serving a cause greater than one’s self. A way of giving back to the community for the many blessings and courtesies that have been received. It means taking the time to help someone who cannot help themselves, and it means providing for those who need just a little boost to get started climbing the ladder of success. It means a few minutes of our time, but to those who are struggling, it can mean absolutely everything,” said Reeve Hayden.
Cassie Noble, a member of the culture and recreation committee, then made the presentation. “Welcome to the annual volunteer and senior tea which gives us the opportunity to celebrate and appreciate those people who have made an outstanding difference in the lives of their families, friends and communities,” said Ms. Noble. “June being Seniors Month, I think that it is also appropriate to share the municipality’s Senior of the Year award.”
Ms. Noble explained council receives nominations for the award from residents in the community. “I think this is a pretty good indication that the individual chosen has touched the lives of many people in our community.”
“I would like to tell you a few things that were mentioned by nominators and community members about the individual receiving the award this year,” continued Ms. Noble. “This nominated individual participates in her community with a quiet, cooperative, and supportive mannerism.”
“She keeps herself strong to provide support to others,” said Ms. Noble. “She belongs to the Lyons Memorial United Church in Gore Bay and is an active member in the UCW which provides support to funeral services by doing luncheons, and also provides volunteer time to the annual church fowl supper.”
“She belongs to a quilting group in the community and as a group assists with making quilts which are provided to fire victims. She also makes quilts for her grandchildren,” continued Ms. Noble. Ms. Slomke has canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society, is an active member in the Gordon Women’s Institute group, and provides support to the group by donations of baking to funeral luncheons and Christmas goodies, and sewing to community members.
“As a Women’s Institute member she supports sending out cards in the community in the form of get well, or bereavement, or just thinking of you messages,” said Ms. Noble. “Our municipal clerk grew up in the community knowing our nominee’s warm and friendly demeanor and has always found it easy to talk to her. She has always felt better after speaking to her.”
Ms. Slomke, “has been a teacher, moving back to Manitoulin in 1966 as a supply teacher, and worked at Manitoulin Transport,” said Ms. Noble. “She and her husband Hinds have spent many years in this community farming, raising their family and contributing to the community.”
“She is very proud of her children Shawna and Douglas and her three grandchildren, Hailey, Tory and Currie,” added Ms. Noble in presenting the award to Ms. Slomke.
“It is an honour and a surprise to be chosen for this award,” said Ms. Slomke. “I try to help when and where I can.” She said with the strong organizations and council’s efforts, this along with everything that is in place in the municipality, “it is very good to live in Gordon/Barrie Island.”
