MINDEMOYA—Over 100 people from across Manitoulin Island packed the Freshwater Community Church on Thursday of last week to show the pride they have for the medal winning Manitoulin Special Olympics (MSO) athletes and coaches from the Canada National Winter Games in Calgary.
“Manitoulin Island is so proud of all of you, and we hope you feel that love and pride,” stated Karlene Scott, master of ceremonies for the special celebration as everyone stood up and gave the MSO team a standing ovation.
Everyone was on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of six MSO athletes and four coaches who attended the games. The MSO gold medal curling rink included skip Tyler Madahbee, vice Dylan Danville, second Dayne Tipper, leads Austin Recollet and William Leclair, coaches Ellen Holroyd and Janet Anning; MSO snowshoer Matthew Bedard who won three bronze medals at the games, coach Joanne Mellan; and MSO coach Sandy Graham who coached the Team Ontario five pin bowling team at the games.
The athletes and coaches were led into the church by piper Dave Beaton, Manitoulin Sea Cadets and youngsters holding up the names of each of the MSO athletes and coaches.
“We would like to welcome everyone here tonight for this amazing evening as well as celebrate our special Olympians who have just returned from the national games in Calgary. Our gold medal winning curling team, snowshoer Matthew Bedard who brought home three bronze medals and coach Sandy Graham, who coached the Ontario five pin bowling team,” said Ms. Scott. She thanked all those who took part in the opening and “most of all of you here this evening taking time from your busy lives to be here.”
Mr. Bedard read the Special Olympics Oath, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Ben Lentir chair of the Bluegrass in the Country festival (held annually in June and is the MSO biggest fundraising event) said, “Congratulations to our special Olympic athletes. What an honour to be here this evening for this celebration.”
Mr. Lentir explained Bluegrass in the Country started in 2010 to help MSO but has become a phenomenal festival. “That is due to all the support we have from sponsors and volunteers. This year’s festival is being held June 7-9 and we have a wonderful lineup of musicians, with proceeds from the event going to a great cause (MSO).”
The MSO curling team has, for many years, practiced every week at the Providence Bay Curling Club. “It is a great honour to be here to represent our curling club,” stated Jack White, PBCC president. “On behalf of the club we appreciate so much being able to help support the (MSO) curlers. To see the payoff of a gold member makes our members proud.” He also praised the efforts of curling club members Marc Lefebvre, Heather Niven and Herv Leclair who help to coach the curling team.”
“I came back to Providence Bay in 2013 and joined the curling club,” said Mr. White. “It has been such an honour to be part of the membership of PBCC and for the club to be able to help the athletes excel has been awesome.”
Both Wendy Friesen and Lise Shaffer, Supportive Independent Living workers at Community Living Manitoulin (CLM) both bade congratulations and best wishes to the MSO athletes and coaches. “We see how hard these athletes worked. You represent Manitoulin Island in such a great way. CLM is proud of the athletes, coaches and volunteers.”
Richard Stephens, mayor of Central Manitoulin, noted how proud the municipality is of MSO in presenting a certificate of congratulations to each of the athletes and coaches.
Jackie White, on behalf of the municipality of Assiginack, commended the athletes and all who that support them. She also acknowledged the families of the athletes who drive the athletes to practices faithfully and cheer them on. “The curling team brought home the gold medal. Wow! It takes a lot of determination, hours of practice and effort to be able to win and wear a gold medal.”
“And to Assiginack’s own Matthew Bedard, you have our hearts,” said Ms. White. “We have no idea how hard you have worked, especially with no snow this year.” She acknowledged the efforts of his coach Joanne Mellan and Steve Redmond who helps with Mr. Bedard’s dryland practices. “Matthew, your winning three bronze medals makes us burst with pride.”
“What these athletes have accomplished is incredible,” said Angela McLeod, representing Sheshegwaning First Nation on behalf of council and the community. She presented a beautiful painting to MSO athlete Dylan Danville.
Patsy Corbiere, chief of Aundeck Omni Kaning said, “I would like to congratulate all the athletes and coaches. There are a lot of families here tonight, and all those in the community who were not in Calgary stood beside all of the athletes and coaches.”
“Tyler (Madahbee) is one of my favourite relatives,” said Chief Corbiere. “And the reason for this is that he is always happy, Tyler gives me a big hug every time I see him. And he has good ideas that he shares. We are proud of him and all of the athletes, coaches and volunteers.”
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha also offered congratulations to the athletes on winning medals at the nationals. “To me (MSO) always makes me proud. And at the Bluegrass festival every I am always welcomed with a smile from everyone.”
“MSO has always brought me so much pride,” stated MPP Mantha. “But it takes an entire community of individuals to accomplish so much. Congratulations, you guys did an awesome job.”
Ms. Scott read a letter of congratulations to all the MSO athletes and coaches from Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes, noting, “every year I am blown away with all the participating special Olympic athletes, coaches, volunteers who achieve so much. You represent Manitoulin Island in the best possible way and Manitoulin Island is so proud of each and every one of you.”
Katherine Tipper gave a huge thank you to all the families of MSO athletes and the MSO coaches. “If it wasn’t for the coaches there would be no special Olympics program. I don’t think people truly understand how much you do. When our teams go to things like the nationals it is definitely not a holiday for them or the athletes. You are all amazing.”
MSO coach Janet Anning said the celebration, “was overwhelming, it was fantastic. On behalf of the coaches and athletes we would like to thank the community for everything. We were so overwhelmed and excited when we received the welcome home Sunday night on our way back from Sudbury and the celebration Thursday evening. We want to thank the whole Manitoulin community for all the emails and Facebook posts congratulating the team. And to the Providence Bay and Mindemoya curling clubs (the Mindemoya club where MSO had practiced for its first 10 years of existence) and where Tyler and Dylan are both members in the club. Everyone has been so supportive and welcoming of our curlers.”
