Town awards community members for their spirit

GRAVENHURST - All ages, all walks, all heroes in their own right and some even quite literally, the 20th Gravenhurst Community Spirit Awards honoured each and every one of them.
Twenty-seven individuals or community organizations were called forth to the opera house stage during the evening ceremony Oct. 18 for their kudos in the spotlight, each described as “passioned individuals” by Mayor Paisley Donaldson.
“The common bond amongst them all is their enthusiasm and devotion to making our community a better place,” Donaldson said.
“I’m amazed at the level of commitment our citizens have for the community,” she added. “I believe we have a wonderful, welcoming and close-knit neighbourhood.”
Athletes, volunteers, sages and Good Samaritans, each contributed to their community and became part of the 100 or more people who have been honoured since the awards ceremony was created in 1992 and held every two years since.
This time around, along with the stalwart volunteers and community supporters, the organizers had an opportunity to pay tribute to two town heroes, responsible for saving lives during summer of 2011’s raging fire at the former IDA pharmacy and apartments above at the corner of Muskoka Road and Bay Street.
Quiet and somber, even a little weepy, Jay Rebelein and Scott Gillies both received the Good Samaritan Award for their selfless actions.
Emcee and chair of the awards committee Gord Durnan described the “amazing help” the two men gave to families trapped in the building, whose quick actions prevented tragedy that August night.
To a rousing standing ovation the men took their spot on stage. Gillies explained he wasn’t expecting such a big reception, having already received awards for their bravery.
“It’s just a great honour and really a bit of a surprise,” he said. “When they called and asked us to attend, I certainly wasn’t expecting a reception like this.”
Durnan welcomed each to the stage where all recipients were greeted by the mayor and local MPP Norm Miller, who joked he had his “schedule cleared up” and was thrilled to be able to attend.
“I do think it’s really important we recognize those people who do so many things to make their community better,” Miller said. “We simply cannot say thank you enough to our volunteers.”
Volunteers Awards
For their longtime efforts first volunteering to help, then organizing the Kahshe Lake not-for-profit craft show that has raised more than $80,000 in 30 years for local organizations and charities, Judy and Dennis Ring were honoured, as was “Heritage Hank” Henry Smith, who chairs the town’s heritage committee and works tirelessly with the local Steamship and Historical Society and museum, and organizes events like Doors Open and Portals into the Past.
Joining that group of honourees was Betty Moase, who even at 85 years of age is still volunteering with the Severn Bridge Fair board, that area’s Women’s Institute and has well more than 25 years of service with the Girl Guides of Canada.
The group of Andrew and Rob Currie, James Lucibello and Luke Thompson were recognized for their work volunteering for Music on the Barge summer concerts.
Captain Bonita McGory of the local Salvation Army and its food bank and thrift store was recognized for her strong volunteer work around town, which also includes support of the newly created off-leash park and as a member of the Gravenhurst Rotary Club.
Mary and Bill Hopcraft were nominated for their long volunteer efforts at the Gravenhurst Manor, while Rotarian Ken Little was honoured for his work as chair of the club’s Bursary Endowment Fund, which provides funds to the impoverished for further education.
Helen Seehaver, who Durnan said “personifies the philosophies and goals of hospice and palliative care” through her volunteer work throughout Gravenhurst was also a recipient.
En masse, the Lions Club of Gravenhurst’s Canadian flag team was honoured for providing flags for local businesses for the past 40 years and providing pride and colour to the streets of town.
“This (program) is truly an amazing contribution,” Durnan said, giving thanks to the club for its generosity and leadership.
A longtime volunteer with the Rebekah Chapter of Gravenhurst Connie Fairman earned the award this year as well.
“With her caring manner, they say that Connie usually volunteers for all opportunities before even being asked,” Durnan said in praise.
She was followed by Severn Bridge’s Mike Smith who co-founded the rowing club there, acts as head coach and introduced the Muskoka Fall Classic rowing regatta to Gull Lake Rotary Park for the first time this past summer.
The final volunteer award recipient of the evening was Rick McGuire who moved to the area as a psychologist in 1982 and became known for his athleticism, playing many years of local ball. He was the first recipient of the Donnie Smith Award for sportsmanship and ability, while also being a longtime old-timer league hockey player, a curler and as a volunteer with Big Brothers.
“The truth be told, he has a hard time saying no when asked (to volunteer),” Durnan said.
Rotarian and internationally recognized volunteer Lisa McCoy was the first recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Awards that night, having helped build the Muskoka School in rural Cambodia as well as providing that area’s youth bicycles so they could get to school.
Jody and Dale Gienow of the Muskoka Wildlife Centre also received the award for helping injured or sick animals, while prolific writer and legion member Liam Dwyer was recognized for drawing the attention of his readers to Muskoka through his books.
Local young athletes Dylan Sontag and Alex Champ caught the attention of the nominating committee for their excellence and determination in their fields. Sontag set the Greater Metro Hockey League’s all-time scoring record in his final season with the South Muskoka Shield in 2011 with 502 points, while Champ skipped his high school and junior curling league teams to several championships with his sights set on bigger things still.
“Alex is hopeful of skipping the Canadian team to the Olympics one day,” Durnan explained.
Another fellow sportsman, Gord Carey, who brought Gravenhurst the South Muskoka Shield some years ago and served it both as a coach and general manager before retiring at the close of the 2011-12 season, was also brought up to the stage for his moment of recognition.

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