Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb hands out 20 King Charles Coronation Medals in Wingham
BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb recently honoured 20 worthy volunteers and community members from both Huron and Bruce Counties with King Charles Coronation Medals, recognizing the work of pillars of the community and all they’ve accomplished.
The celebration took place at the Knights of Columbus hall within the North Huron Wescast Community Complex in Wingham and included robust a capella versions of “O’ Canada” and “God Save The King” bookending the presentations.
Several locals and those with definitive local ties were honoured that night, including Blyth’s Duncan McGregor, Goderich’s Don Dodds, Exeter’s Bonnie Sitter, Clinton’s Jared Petteplace and Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund founder Patrick Armstrong.
McGregor, nominated by seven of his frequent theatre collaborators, was honoured for his more-than 60 years of involvement in Huron County arts, community and theatre as a playwright, director, actor and artistic director. His projects, as noted in the nomination, often tackle themes of fairness, tolerance and Canadian history.
The nomination also noted McGregor’s long history of philanthropy, raising money for many organizations through his theatre productions over the years.
Dodds, nominated by Darrell Bergsma, was recognized for his 65 years of volunteerism with local 4-H and 75 years with the Huron County Plowmen’s Association, in addition to decades of work with Cavan United Church, including as its Clerk of Sessions.
Sitter, nominated by Elaine Cook, Linda Schori and Patricia Campbell, was honoured specifically for her work bringing the story of Ontario’s Farmerettes to life through the book she co-authored, Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz, which was then turned into a play that has been produced at 4th Line Theatre and the Blyth Festival. Her work with this group, which has since expanded to a soon-to-be-released documentary, has made great strides in ensuring that the hard work, dedication and sacrifice of this group as part of the World War II effort will not be forgotten to time.
Petteplace, nominated by Hassan Chamas, was recognized for his community leadership and generosity. Lobb specifically noted the creation of a market for young entrepreneurs undertaken by Petteplace and his wife that has flourished in recent years, encouraging young people to start their own businesses and engage with their local communities.
Armstrong, nominated by Wayne Arthur McConnell, was honoured for his work and outreach with the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund and the Huron and Area Search and Rescue (HASAR) group, with Lobb being careful to note Armstrong’s contributions and the vital role they’ve played in enhancing safety awareness and readiness in the region.
Other recipients include:
• Andrew Dykeman of Kincardine for his leadership in business and community philanthropic endeavours and his continuing work to strengthen and uplift his community.
• Captain Ryan F. McClinchey for his 30 years of leadership and volunteerism with the Goderich Kinsmen and the Goderich Air Cadets.
• Chandrashekhar Tripathi for his role as a founding member of the Kincardine Multicultural Celebration and the Hindi Cultural Open House, planting over 1,000 trees through the Living Snow Fence Project and as a member of the Grey-Bruce Health Care Spiritual Council.
• The late Doug Kennedy for his role in Kincardine’s local political and hockey scenes, including 50 years of service to hockey in Kincardine, which earned him the prestigious Golden Hockey Strick from the Ontario Hockey Association.
• Douglas Fines for his over 30 years with the Goderich Lions Club, as a small business owner and as a passionate advocate for social change.
• Dr. Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor who has spent her life in Canada working with children with special needs. A practising optometrist in Walkerton specializing in the care of neurodiverse children, Oyaide-Ofenor authored A to Z on How I See, which has proven to be a valuable tool to detect special needs in children early by observing how children interact with the words in the book. She also uses her platform as a digital creator to advocate for and support children with special needs.
• Tara Somerville for her career as a physician who has played a vital role in her community of Port Elgin, promoting healthy lifestyles and improving the quality of life for people around her.
• Marianne Hogan for her extensive work with the Kingsbridge Centre and as a leader in the arts and as a dedicated mentor within her community. She has also won the 2013 Mother Teresa Award and was named an Inspiring Woman of Huron in 2018.
• Matthew Digby for his over 30 years of volunteerism, including as the manager of his community’s firefighter boot drive, which has raised over $100,000 during that time, his role in the Canadian Coast Guard, co-ordinating international disaster response missions and as an active member of the Lake Smith Conservationists as a passionate advocate for environmental preservation. Lobb also noted that Digby had recently been part of a mission that rescued someone from human trafficking.
• Patrick O’Connor for his vital role in fundraising for numerous projects in the Port Elgin and Saugeen Shores areas and with the Rotary Clubs of Southampton and Saugeen Shores.
• Rick Shropshall for his service in the Canadian Armed Forces, serving in the regular force for 25 years and then in the Primary Reserve for another nine, as a 47-year Legion member and his time volunteering with the Military Family Resource Centre and the Integrated Personnel Support Unit in London, providing essential support to military members and their families.
• Retired Sergeant Laszlo Santha who spent 34 years in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, representing Canada in many roles over the course of that time, and for 17 years on the Tiverton Fire Department.
• Steve Travale Dr. as a dedicated leader in Kincardine youth baseball, an active board member of the Western Ontario Baseball Association and the Kincardine Minor Baseball Association and his coaching of numerous teams that reached provincial championships.
• Superintendent Paul James Thorne for his 15 years of advocacy and commitment to veterans and as the president of the Goderich Legion for several years, in addition to time as a board member for Grey Bruce Health Services and the Saugeen Shores Minor Hockey Association.
• Thomas Prout for his work with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and as a director as the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. He has also spent two decades working with the Sunset Community Foundation, which has since grown to include $280,000 in endowments.