LITTLE CURRENT—Last month, Bruce Burnett was surprised when he was called into the Northeast Town office only to learn that what he assumed was to be a meeting with the mayor regarding Haweater Weekend was something altogether different. Instead, he was bestowed with the Province of Ontario’s Senior of the Year Award for 2022 in recognition of his ‘outstanding contributions to his community after age 65.’
Mayor Al MacNevin later made that award public during a meeting of council, a meeting Mr. Burnett could not attend due to his previous commitment to the Little Current Lions Club and its evening meeting. Mr. Burnett has held the title of president of that club for the past 10 years and has been a member of the Little Current Lions for an impressive 32 years.
If being president of one of Manitoulin’s busiest service clubs isn’t enough (did we mention that Haweater Weekend is soon upon us?), Mr. Burnett is also a long-time member of the Little Current Fish and Game Club.
“It was very surprising when I got the call to come and see Al,” Mr. Burnett told The Expositor. “I thought it had to do with Haweater, then when Dave (Williamson, CAO) showed up, I thought ‘uh oh,’ so I asked if he was joining our meeting too. He said ‘no, I’m the photographer’.”
“It’s a great honour, but the only problem is it shows how old I am,” he laughed, admitting to getting some good-natured teasing from his family.
Mr. Burnett said he’s humbled when he looks at the long list of area volunteers who have received the award before him. “I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life.”
Mr. Burnett was nominated for the award by Councillor Barb Baker.
