MINDEMOYA—The 2017 Central Manitoulin Lions Club Homecoming Weekend Elimination Draw story developed like a script in a Hollywood movie.
The evening began with a tribute to Peter Thureson, and a donation from the to the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary in his memory. Mr. Thureson was a long-time member of the Lions who passed away in March. Shortly after retiring from the military 30 years ago, he and his wife Leila moved to Mindemoya, and Mr. Thureson became a community volunteer. He joined the Central Manitoulin Lions, held the position of president for a time, and, as Lion Dale Scott told the audience, he ran a tight ship, making sure everything went smoothly.
The evening went on, with the draws for $100 and $200, building up to the big moment when 399 tickets had been drawn and only one ticket was left in the bin. When Dale Scott opened the last ticket, it was like a happy ending to a movie. He announced, “The winners of the $5,000 grand prize are Greg Thureson, Alison McPherson and Geoff Thureson!” It was smiles all around for the two sons and daughter of Peter and Leila Thureson, as Leila came to the front of the Arena to accept the cheque on their behalf.
After the grand prize was drawn, all of the tickets that had been eliminated went back into the bin for the $1,000 consolation prize, which was won by Crystal Saumier of Mindemoya. The Elimination Draw is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Central Manitoulin Lions Club, with $8,000 in prizes being drawn.
