MINDEMOYA—You can see it on the faces of the Brothers of the Blade (BOTB) and the Brothers of the Wheel (BOTW) motorcycle club members, not to mention Community Living clients and staff at the annual Pennies from Heaven event; everyone is extremely excited and happy to be able to see, greet and hug each other.
This year’s example of how the world should all get along was again held at Timberlane Rustic Lodge this past Saturday.
“For me, this is the third year I have attended this event,” said Adrienne Farquhar, executive director of Community Living Manitoulin (CLM). “It never ceases to amaze me, the feeling you get being here. Each year is like the first time, the sights and sounds of everyone so happy and excited to be seeing each other again. It is truly an amazing feeling, and it feels new every year.”
“Our clients look forward to this day, all year, and it is great that Community Living Wiikwemkoong will be taking part along with us and Espanola,” said Ms. Farquhar.
CLM client Arthur Haines was almost giddy with excitement when he handed over a miniature motorcycle ornament he had put together and presented to Gary Meads, one of the main organizers of the event, along with Chris Crash. “This means more than anything,” said Mr. Meads, who told Mr. Haines that his gift would be placed prominently into his motorcycle group’s clubhouse. He could also be seen eagerly showing the rest of the bikers on hand the gift that had been given to them.
Mr. Crash then presented Mr. Haines with a hat with his motorcycle club’s logo on it.
“To me there is nothing more gratifying than helping to organize and put on this event. It is the most gratifying thing I do personally and the rest of our clubs’ members agree.” He pointed out 60 members of the two motorcycle clubs were on hand this year, from Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Uxbridge and Muskoka. “It can take 21-24 hours for someone to travel here from Tennessee,” he pointed out.
“It is part of the biker facade that we are all big, tough people,” said Mr. Crash. “But we all have families, kids, wives, grandchildren, parents, brothers and sisters. When everyone leaves today, we all have tears in our eyes.”
The two motorcycle clubs raise between $4,000-$5,000 every year, which they donate equally among the Community Living groups for their ‘wish list’ needs.
“Adrienne Farquhar is one of the amazing people that work at these community living organizations. It is all these people that work for these organizations that are amazing,” said Mr. Crash.
“I have been coming to this event for the past 30 years,” said Mr. Meads. “The clients that come here always have a great time, and we look forward to it all year. It makes us feel good to have a day with them every year. I remember last year when the clients from the Espanola group home couldn’t make it because their van had broken down. When we left here, we went and visited them, took pictures and presented them with medals. We all had a great time.”
“I can remember when this event was first held at Bill Arrowsmith’s home in Sheguiandah, then we went to Widgawa Lodge for many years after that,” said Mr. Meads. “And for many years now Bill (Wall) and Mark (Varey) have put this event on here at Timberlane. They do an excellent job, and anything we need they are there.”
The bikers and clients of Manitoulin, Wiikwemkoong and Espanola enjoyed several great hours together, playing games and enjoying a fabulous lunch. Among the games the bikers host for the clients include the egg race, potato hunt and weenie bite. However, the event where the smiles come out in full takes place when the bikers take the clients on a short ride on their motorcycles.
“It is a beautiful thing, this event,” said Johnny, one of the bikers. “We have to get back to that in the world these days. We have to get back to where people help and enjoy each other’s company.”
