by Tom Sasvari
MANITOULIN—Cynthia Debassige of M’Chigeeng First Nation was the first-place winner in the successful Manitoulin Snowdusters Snowmobile Club poker chip run. The event was held in memory of Todd ‘T.C.’ Corbiere of Honora Bay, a snowmobile enthusiast who passed away at the age of 60 in August of last year.
“The event went pretty well,” said Chris Laidley of the Snowdusters, one of the main organizers of the event. “We had a total of 51 people take part, along with 35 businesses.”
“We had our Snowdusters meeting last night (March 21) and had the draw for the poker chip values,” said Mr. Laidley. The point value results were red, 25 points, black, 20 points, blue, 15 points, white, 10 points, and green, five points.
For finishing in first place Ms. Debassige won a $1,000 detailing package from Wheels 2 Water plus $822.05 in cash, for a total prize value of $1,822.05.
Second place went to Rob Breathat of Spring Bay who had a total of 575 points. He received a cash prize of $822.05. Judy Felic of Mindemoya, with a total of 560 points took third place of $548.00 in cash.
There were also several donated prizes handed out on a first come first choice basis, said Mr. Laidley. A snowmobile helmet donated by Rylan’s Clothing was won by Stacey Felix (535 points), while snowmobile oil, donated by McDougall Energy was won by Rick Bond (545 points). A NAPA trunk organizer, hats and lights package donated by Allen’s Automotive was won by Brooke Addison (500 points) and Joan Prior (545 points).
Landen Harasym (525 points) won a gift bag donated by Indigenous Tourism Ontario, Tom Morphet (500 points) won a gift bag donated by Trailside Sports and a gift basket donated by Charlene’s Kitchen was won by Martha Murray (510 points). Annette King (530 points) won a hat, scarf and mitts donated by Julia’s Boutique while Nancy Clark (525 points) won a two-night stay at the Kicking Mule Ranch, and a one night hotel accommodation at Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre was won by Cole Chisholm (who had 530 points).
Al Davy of the Snowdusters brought forward the idea of the poker chip run. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be going toward a student bursary being created in Mr. Corbiere’s memory.
“Originally we talked of doing this for the family, but Kate (Mr. Corbiere’s wife) wanted to do this as a bursary for the high school (Manitoulin Secondary School) in his memory,” explained Mr. Laidley. He said that $1,644.05 of the proceeds raised from the Poker Chip Run will go toward this student bursary.
Ms. Corbiere told The Expositor previously, “I had been contacted by Maya Holsen, secretary of the Snowdusters who asked if they could have my blessing to hold this event. I was extremely honoured and so pleased that the community would do this for Todd. And to see that other people were affected by him in this way was heart-warming. I asked if a portion of the proceeds from the event could be used for a student bursary at MSS. Todd was a member of the Snowdusters and helped the club maintain its groomer, and he was proud of, and loved, Manitoulin.”
Mr. Laidley said the organizers are very grateful for all those who took part, the businesses, and all those who donated prizes for the event. He also thanked, “Kate Corbiere and her children Madelyn, Hanna and Isaac for allowing the Snowdusters to have this event in memory of a great guy.”
Mr. Laidley also acknowledged his son Cole for putting the packages together and distributing/collecting packages. “And my wife Tammy for supporting me while I took time away from regular work to put this Poker Chip Run together.”
