Kincardine area residents honoured at Remarkable Citizens Awards celebration

Standing ovations, cheers, and tears of joy were shared Wednesday night in Teeswater as 37 "Remarkable Citizens" were recognized at the eighth annual New Year's Levee, hosted by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson.

“I’ve always said that there is no better way to ring in the new year – and decade for that matter – than recognizing people who make a difference in our communities across Huron-Bruce,” said Thompson.

This year’s winners included Mikayla Ansley of Blyth, a legally-blind young woman whose essay on “Kindness” won the International Lions Youth Peace Essay; Richard and Elaine Porter of Cargill who have fostered more than 430 children over a span of 50 years; and Barry Ludwig of Teeswater who has donated blood more than 250 times.

“Everyone’s achievements and volunteer work is truly remarkable,” said Thompson. “These people make a difference, and they are all an inspiration.”

Several residents of Kincardine, Tiverton, Ripley and Lucknow were honoured including:
 

• Wes Larson of Kincardine
• Jennifer Morin of Kincardine
• Arthur McIntosh of Kincardine
• Jordan Jarvis of Kincardine
• Marilyn Freer of Ripley
• Peggy Griffin Paetzold of Tiverton
• Ron Alton of Lucknow
• Ruth Alton of Lucknow
• Sam and Heather Finnie of Ripley
• Sharon Nivins of Lucknow

Also recognized, were: Brenda Campbell of Seaforth, Brian and Gisele Ireland of Teeswater, Bruce MacDonald of Teeswater, George and Ruth Townsend of Seaforth, Gladys Van Egmond of Clinton, Gwen Devereaux of Seaforth, Helen Varekamp of Bayfield, Jane Smyth of Blyth, Joanne Caldecott of Brockton, John Elmslie of Bayfield, Karen Redmond of Auburn, Kaushik P. Patel of Clinton, Lyle Haney and Gwen Good of Seaforth, Mike Dixon of Bayfield, Nicole Mackechnie of Goderich/Bayfield, Patricia Lewington of Bayfield, Steve Tiffin and Adam Ireland of Teeswater, and Zoellyn (Zoey) Onn of Brussels.

To date, 175 Huron-Bruce residents have been recognized as “Remarkable Citizens.”

Thompson also applauded those who make the nominations. “We couldn’t do this without their support.”



Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson (back right), presents awards to Remarkable Citizens of Kincardine, Tiverton and Ripley; in back, are Arthur McIntosh (left), Jennifer Morin; and in front, are Wes Larson (left), Jordan Jarvis, Marilyn Freer, and Peggy Griffin Paetzold; photos courtesy of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office



Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson (back, left), presents awards to Remarkable Citizens of Ripley and Lucknow; in back, is Ron Alton; and in front, are Sharon Nivins (left), Ruth Alton and Marilyn Freer; absent, are Sam and Heather Finnie