Lion’s “Raise The Roof Campaign” Receives A Big Boost From Construction Association

Tom Smith, President of the Valley East Lion’s Club, was thrilled to accept a cheque in the amount of $2,418.67 from the recently disbanded Valley East Construction Association. Suzie Simon, Treasurer of the Association, and Mario Whissell, President, were pleased that one of their final duties was to present this donation in order to help the Lion’s Club get one step closer to rebuilding their new club house.

The Valley East Construction Association was established in 1990 and played a vital role in improving and stabilizing the construction economy in Valley East. At one time, over 60 members were active in the association which became a forum for dealing with different levels of government and other organizations to ensure that there was fair treatment and equal opportunity for all construction businesses in the community.

On November 4, 2001, those in attendance faced the reality that the interest in the association had dwindled to the point that it was no longer a viable force in the industry. A motion to dissolve was put forward and carried. It was also decided at that meeting that the best way to dispense of the funds remaining in the account was to donate it to an association that was dedicated to the children of the community.

“One organization that the community has benefited from over the years is the local Lion’s Club,” explained Whissell. “We recognize how vital, vibrant and warm-hearted that this organization has been for all sectors of this community, be it seniors, children, a person with a disability and so on to name a few. We trust that the Valley East Lion’s Club is our best candidate to fulfill the Valley East Construction Association members final wish. They have the expertise and knowledge of how these funds can be best used for the needs of this community’s children.”

The Valley East Lion’s Club is currently involved in a fund-raising drive to generate enough money to pay their portion of the insurance deductible in order to re-construct the club house which was destroyed by snow damage last spring. At the present time they hold their meetings in the old Our Lady of Fatima School in Blezard Valley and gather for breakfast meetings twice a month in the Lookout Lounge at the Clearview Golf Club.

The donation was much appreciated by the Lion’s and viewed as a welcome expression of gratitude for their many hours of tireless volunteer time for this community.

Registrations Now Being Taken For Annual Needy Children’s Christmas Party

`The Sudbury and Valley East Needy Children’s Christmas Party is scheduled for Saturday, December 22, 2001 from 1 to 3 p.m. and Merv Linklater, party co-ordinator, is now taking registrations for the event. When you call to register your name, he will let you know where the party will be held. For the previous three years it was held at the Lion’s Den, but as a result of the snow damage experienced in the spring, the Christmas party will have to be relocated.

For the past eight years, Merv, who 4 years ago  moved from his tiny apartment in Sudbury to a little house in Hanmer, has been collecting donations of all kinds from generous people and directing them to those of us who are less fortunate. You name it _ he’s found it! From stoves, beds, fridges, clothing of all sizes, to toys and utensils. If someone has something to donate, he knows someone else on his list of 375 needy individuals who can use it. This fall beds are in biggest demand - so much so that Merv cannot keep up.

Merv has a place in his heart for children, especially around Christmas. “It is so sad to see so much poverty in this area now,” Merv exclaimed. “I feel really badly for the children and we just want to make sure they have some happiness at least with this party that we organize for them.”

He is also looking for donations such as toys, games, books, crayons, candies for loot bags, new or used wrapping paper and tags. All of these items, plus the use of a Santa Claus suit for the party are needed in order to make this a great afternoon for the children. If you have anything you can spare, give Merv a call at 969-0802. Items can even be picked up Saturday mornings between 8 a.m. and 12 noon.

Residents have always been generous when Merv puts out a request, and he is hoping for more of the same at this time. Last year the Children’s Christmas Party was attended by 62 boys and girls from the age of 2 to 13. This year he is expecting at least that many. Anything you have to offer would be much appreciated.

To register a child for the party, call Merv at 969-0802 as soon as possible and have yourself a Merry Christmas from the man everyone knows as ‘Merv The Nurse’ - truly an angel at work in our community.

Karly Roberts and Steven McAnulty Outstanding For Valley East Waves

The Valley East Waves put on a clinic in the water during the Sault Ste. Marie Aquatic Club Invitational Meet held in the Sault in November. Two of the swimmers achieved the Individual High Point awards for their age group.

Karly Roberts, shown in the photo with her awards, competed in the 11 & 12 year old girls Pre-Provincial category, achieving first place finishes in all nine of her events, all of them in personal best times. She took the Individual High Point Award for the 2^nd consecutive year as well. This is considered a perfect meet and is quite an accomplishment for the young swimmer. As a result, Karly also qualified for 7 Youth Cup and 6 Provincial events with her times. The Grade 8 student from Valley View Public School has been swimming competitively for 5 years. Her coach, Sharon Leger, commented that Karly wasn’t even the top seed in many of her races, but she definitely was in the zone during the weekend event. To put it in perspective, Karly’s accomplishment would be equated with a hockey player scoring five goals; a baseball pitcher throwing a perfect game; a golfer getting a hole in one; or a ball player hitting four home runs in one game. It is a remarkable feat and one which will be remembered for a very long time.

Steven McAnulty, also shown in the photo, a Grade 5 student at Valley View Public School, is in his 2^nd year of competitive swimming for the Waves. He finished with 2 firsts, 1 second and 4 thirds, capturing  the individual high point award for 10 and under Development Boys.

Eric Dupuis placed second for high point for 13+14 Boys Pre_Provincials with 8 out of 9 personal best times and qualified in numerous Youth Cup and Provincial events. Eric, Karly and Emilie Bourgeault_Tasse will head to the Youth Cup Meet in Etobicoke on Dec 6_9.  The Youth Cup is an International Invitational Meet that focuses on 13_14 year old swimmers.

The rest of the results from the Sault follow:

Ronald Arbour: 2nd in 50 Fly, 4th in 50 Free and 100 Free, 6th in 200 Free and 100 Back and had a perfect meet with personal bests in all events.

Emilie Bourgeault_Tasse:  5th in 200 IM and 200 Free, 6th in 100 Breast and 100 Free.

Eric Dupuis:  1st in 100 Breast,200 Free, and 100 Back, 2nd in 200 Back, 50 Free, 400 Free, 200 IM, 100 Fly, and 100 Free.

Bryan Forbes: 8th in 50 Back, and 400 Free.

Danika Forget:  6th in 100 Breast and 100 Back

Lexine Harvey:  3rd in 50 Fly and 50 Breast, 4th in 200 IM and 100 Back, 6^th in 100 Free.

Carli Hill: 8th 100 Back

Beau Lacroix: 4th in 200 Breast, 5th in 200 BAck and 100 Breast.

Michelle Leger:  1st in 50 Free, 2nd in 100 Free, 5th in 50 Fly and 50 Breast, 6th in 100 Breast.

Frank Louiseize:  3rd in 400 Free and 200 Free.

Michael MacKenzie:  6th in 50 Breast and a perfect meet.

Steven McAnulty:  1st in 200 IM and 100 Breast, 2nd in 50 Back, 3rd in 50 Free, 200 Free, 50 Breast and 100 Free, 4th in 100 Back and 50 Fly.

Sarah McCormack: a perfect meet

Logan McGinn:  2nd in 50 Back, 200 Free and 100 Free, 3rd in 100 Breast, 6^th in 100 Back.

Brandon Paquette:  5th in 100 Back, 6th in 50 Back, and 50 Fly and a perfect meet.

Josee Pilon: 3rd in 100 BAck, 4th in 50 Back and 6th in 50 Fly.

Karly Roberts: 1st in 200 BAck, 50 Free, 400 Free, 200 IM, 100 Breast, 200

Free, 100 Back, 100 Fly, and 100 Free and a perfect meet.

Gillian Russell: 8th in 50 Breast.

Megan Villeneuve: 6th in 50 Back

The Waves also competed in a number of relay races:

10 and under Girls Medley 2nd (Danika Forget, Michelle Leger, Jessica Kivi and Chelsea Villeneuve)

10 and under Girls Free 3rd (Chelsea Villeneuve, Danika Forget, Jessica Kivi and Sarah McCormack)

11+12 Girls Development Medley 1st (Carli Hill, Megan Villeneuve, Amanda Windsor and Gillian Russell)

11+12 Girls Development Free 3rd (Carli Hill, Megan Villeneuve, Amanda Windsor and Michelle Leger)

11+12 Girls Pre_Provincial Medley and Free 3rd (Karly Roberts, Logan McGinn, Josee Pilon and Carli Hill)