by Marc Nadeau, President, Oxford Mills Community Association
On Canada Day, a record number of residents and visitors gathered at Maplewood Park for music, friendship, food and children’s activities. A special Thank You is extended the musicians who gave so generously of their time and talents. Thank you, Kiefer Ray James, Happy Crap, Fiddlehead Soup and County Rd 44 Bluegrass Band. In the shade of the maples, the St Lawrence Sword Fighting Guild gave another excellent demonstration of their arts and skills. David Shanahan spoke of the history off Maplewood Park and the foresight of earlier people to establish and maintain a gem in the hamlet.
Community events occur when willing spirits and money come together. Our sponsors are a critical part of the day and its success. Thank you, Brewed Awakenings, Samantha Rivet-Stevenson of RBC Investments, Dial a Chef, The Brigadoon, Voice2Net, TD Graham + Associates, Lions Club, Sustainable Success Strength Training, The North Grenville Times, Canine Country Retreat, Davidson Geothermal, Grahame’s Bakery, Lockwood Bros. Construction, Olde Porch Primitive, Gerry Van Gurp/Royal Lepage, Penny Beavis/Coldwell Banker, JM Automotive, McGahey Insurance, Stonehedge Farm/Jim and Nora DeVette.
Both individuals and local businesses contributed to a Silent Auction that brought an array of sale items, from art pieces to business gift certificates. Thank you, To Be Continued, Brewed Awakening, Vincent SpaGarage, Forget-Me-Not Herbs and Flowers, Coco Paving, Rekmans Garage, Heather Snow of Sweet Legs, Carrie Smith of Kemptville Physiotherapy, Daniel Spring and Albert’s Meat Market.
Individual volunteers assist with setup, parking and helping to ensure that the day’s events unfold smoothly. Thank you, Lisa, Lize, Brenda, Julie and Robert. Rowan Meyer did us all proud bagpiping the official guests and participants to the flagpole for the singing of O Canada and the raising of the flag. Our Town Crier, Deron Johnston, was picture perfect, given the historic setting and grandeur of the maples.
They say, “Many hands make light work”. This applies to our country and our community. The Oxford Mills Community Association wish to ‘thank you all’ for a wonderful day in Maplewood Park.
