Bracebridge honours volunteer, sports all-stars

BRACEBRIDGE — Some of Muskoka top sports stars and supporters and volunteers were feted Tuesday in the Heart of Muskoka community.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018, the Town of Bracebridge recognized and celebrated the outstanding achievements of local residents in volunteerism and sport at the Community Recognition and Sport Awards Ceremony held at Rene M. Caisse Theatre.

The town, through the community recognition advisory committee, annually recognizes individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact in the community.

The town also submits nominations for provincial awards to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s Honours and Awards Program and to the Ontario Heritage Trust based on local nominations.

Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith. left, and the 2018 class of volunteers and sports al-stars May 29.

The following individuals and organizations were recognized:

Janice Broadworth, Bracebridge, Volunteer Service Award

  • Janice has been volunteering in our community for over 30 years. She has been a part of the “Out of the Cold” dinner program for 11 years. She is a devoted member of the church, helping with many fundraising dinners and Christmas bazaars. Janice was instrumental in the purchase of kitchen equipment for the church and sings in the Advent Choir which performs at local retirement homes and schools over the holidays. In the past, Janice has helped prepare and deliver meals for “Meals on Wheels” and is known to help many neighbours needing assistance or companionship. She also spent endless hours at the minor baseball and minor hockey food booths.

Pilar Rubio, Bracebridge Volunteer Service Award

  • For the past 5 years, Pilar Rubio has been an intuitive, warm and caring volunteer with Hospice Muskoka in Bracebridge. Pilar’s compassionate nature saw her join the Board of Directors for Hospice Muskoka as chair of the Butterfly Release Fundraiser. Pilar generates awareness, through her dedication to patient-centered care for those facing terminal illness. She provides warmth, and understanding to end of life challenges through palliative care. Pilar has also worked with Monsignor O’Leary School Parents’ Council, Muskoka Victim Services and volunteers with the Rotary Club of Bracebridge on many club-supported community service projects.

Annalise Smart, Bracebridge Volunteer Service Award

  • Annalise began volunteering at a young age and continues to assist with sympathy teas, Lions bingo’s, Lions Club Gala Dinners and Bracebridge United Church pancake luncheons and Irish dinners. She has volunteered with the Ronnie Fund and Ten Thousand Villages fundraisers, she became a peer support leader at her high school and also spends time at The Pines reading to residents, helping fold laundry and assisting residents in the dining hall. From November through March each year Annalise also helps teach young students to curl. Annalise is scheduled to travel to Nicaragua this June to volunteer. To assist with costs associated with this volunteer effort she has organized a curling bonspiel with a silent auction. It is refreshing to see young people like Annalise who are dedicated to our community and helping others.

Sonja Smith, Bracebridge Senior Achievement Award

  • Sonja has been a familiar face at the Pines Long-Term Care Home for over 3 years. She assists residents on bus trips, helps with bingo, folding laundry, evening entertainment and with special events. When Sonya isn’t at the Pines, she is usually helping with the Intergenerational Mentorship Program where she has volunteered since its inception in 2015. Sonja has been a member of the local Hospital Auxiliary for 23 years, and has also assisted with ‘Meals on Wheels’ for 20 years. When Sonya is at home she prepares baked goods to donate to the various bazaars and sales where she volunteers. Sonya has and continues to enrich the lives of many individuals in Bracebridge.

Sally Mills, Bracebridge Good Citizenship Award

  • Sally has been instrumental in starting and organizing the Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club in Bracebridge. She promotes this new outdoor sport which is a gentle form of exercise for individuals ranging from ages 9 to 99. From raising funds through grants together with other donations to guiding the main contractor, who was building the bowling green, Sally has been instrumental in bringing Lawn Bowling to Muskoka.

Volunteers of the:Manna Food Bank, Bracebridge Outstanding Volunteer Achievement

  • In 1993, the Manna Food Bank was incorporated and continues to fulfill the ever increasing need to assist struggling local families. Nearly 100 volunteers offer their time and services to help provide food for over 600 families in Bracebridge. Each and every volunteer provides an invaluable service to ensure continued operation as the Manna Food Bank relies entirely on donations and the generous support from our community. The roles of the volunteers vary, but each is sensitive to the needs of every client.

These volunteers also help to make Bracebridge a better community:

The Olde Tyme Gospel Band, Bracebridge Recognition of Merit

  • In 2005, the Olde Tyme Gospel Band was formed by members of the Bracebridge United Church. A short 13 years later, they have had 624 Tuesday night practices, countless performances, both local and out of town, produced 2 CD’s and have over 200 songs in their repertoire. Over their time together they have raised $25,000 for local outreach projects and the general operation of the Church. This group continues to bring toe-tapping favourites, smiles to people’s faces and have a genuine love for their instruments and music. The current band members are: Bob Joynt, Ron Austin, Beth Black, Jim Hammond, John Holtby, Bob Kobe, George Reid and Jim Webb.

The Hines Family, Christopher Todd Lang Accessibility Award

  • The story of our award recipients began many years ago with their parents Mary and Harvey Hines. Mary and Harvey dedicated their lives to caring for those with disabilities by making them part of their family and giving them a life outside of institutions. Over the years, the Hines family fostered 72 individuals who became brothers and sisters to Mike and Wally Hines. Some of the children expressed special talents such as art, mathematics and cooking and many also became Special Olympians. The whole family became involved and supporters of Special Olympics. After the death of their parents, Mike and Wally approached Special Olympics Ontario, Muskoka about starting a golf tournament in honour of their parents, with all proceeds going to Special Olympics Ontario, Muskoka. In the eleven years the tournament has been running, they have raised over $133,000.

Community Sport Awards

The evening included the presentation of the 2018 Bracebridge Community Sport Awards. The Sport Awards are presented annually to the athlete, coach and team of the year. Those receiving awards have shown excellence in their sport; demonstrated sportsmanship; are a credit to the community; have displayed good character; and serve as excellent role models for young athletes in the community.

The following individuals were recognized at the Awards Celebration:

Alexis Kokkas, Jim Quigley Memorial Award-Bracebridge Athlete of the Year

  • This past season, Alexis played for the Barrie Jr. Sharks in the PWHL (Provincial Women’s Hockey League) and finished 6th in team scoring. The PWHL is a 21-andunder league consisting of 20 teams from Windsor to Ottawa. In addition, Alexis helped Team Ontario win gold at the 2016 Summer Games by notching the overtime winner in the semi-final game. Alexis is a phenomenal hockey player in her second year with the Barrie team and is competing at the highest level possible for her age group. Alexis is currently receiving looks from a number of NCAA division one schools.

Mike Fry, Bracebridge Community Coach of the Year

  • Mike began coaching minor ball in 2012, since then he has gone on to coach the Bandits to win the Mite Provincial Championships in 2014 and 2015. In 2016 and 2017 he was the head coach of the Bracebridge Bandits Squirt Select Team. This team won the 2017 Squirt Provincial Championship after going undefeated through the entire season. In addition to coaching minor ball, Mike has also coached within the South Muskoka Minor Hockey Association. Mike’s coaching style is firm but fair, his goal is to work hard as a team.

Bracebridge KnightHawks Ontario Winter Games Team, Norm Harkness Memorial Award, Bracebridge Team of the Year

  • The Bracebridge Knight Hawks saw a very successful year with four of their top athletes being selected to play in the 2018 Ontario Winter Games for the Georgian Bay Badminton District. The Winter Games Team is comprised of 6 male and 6 female players; the Bracebridge Knight Hawks are proud that 4 of those athletes are from our community: Katie Garth, Paige Hillman, Tyler Blair and Kiersten Hillman. These athletes worked extremely hard to be part of the Games Team. All of the players have played for their schools at OFSAA, as well as regionally and provincially in tournaments over the past several years, medaling at most tournaments. At this year’s Winter Games the team came in 4th overall, beating out teams from Toronto, as well as Northern, Western and Central Ontario in a round robin play.

Bracebridge Baseball Wall of Fame

The Bracebridge Baseball Wall of Fame was created in 2011 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions or achievements in the sport of baseball in Bracebridge in one of four categories: Player, Coach/Official, Fan/Supporter, and Builder/Sponsor.

2018 Inductees into the Bracebridge Baseball Wall of Fame include:

Ken Veitch Jr., Bracebridge Baseball Wall of Fame – Player

  •  Ken Veitch Jr. started playing ball at age 13 with Bracebridge Minor Ball. Since then he has gone on to play ball in many provincial and national tournaments across the country, and overseas. Today Ken is still involved with the Bracebridge Men’s Fastball League. He has played in the league since he was 19 years old; has been a part of the Executive for the past 20; years and is currently the Media and Promotion Rep. In addition to this, Ken is also a part of many clinics for both young players and coaches each year.

Norm Raynor Bracebridge Baseball Wall of Fame – Player

  • Norm Raynor has played fast pitch softball for just over forty years; starting at age ten in Kearney and finishing in Bracebridge. He has been known to play every single position on the field. In addition to being a player, Norm coached minor baseball in Bracebridge and was fortunate enough to take 2 teams to the All-Ontario finals through his coaching career.

Tim McBride Bracebridge, Baseball Wall of Fame – Coach/Official

  • Tim started coaching his son’s t-ball team in 1999, and hasn’t looked back since. He continued to coach both of his son’s all the way through their minorball years. In addition to coaching, Tim sat on the Bracebridge Minor Ball Executive from 2000-2016. He began as the Treasurer and later held the title of Head Coach and then President for several years. On top of coaching, and being a part of the executive, Tim also played in the men’s senior slow pitch league and then eventually returned to the fast pitch league to play on a team with his son. Bracebridge Town Council was pleased to host the annual Community Recognition and Sports Awards Celebration to publicly honour the achievements of outstanding award recipients and to thank those who are leaders and role models in the building of the community.

For further information please contact: Community Recognition Advisory Committee Councillor Steven Clement, Chair 705-645-5325 [email protected]