by Brandon Mayer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
At a special Council meeting last week, the Municipality announced the recipients of the 2021 North Grenville Civic Awards. The February 9 meeting saw over a dozen North Grenville residents and several community groups honoured for their outstanding service to the community.
Mayor Nancy Peckford shared a positive message about the awards. “Congratulations to the 2021 Civic Award recipients,” she said. “Council is indeed grateful for your commitment to improving the quality of life and community cohesion here in North Grenville – and there is no doubt that you certainly did that in 2021. Despite the ups and downs of this past year, so many individuals stepped up time and time again in unpredictable and ever-changing circumstances.”
Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman also commented, saying “Council received an overwhelming response to the call for nominations and would like to thank all those who took the time to nominate someone. We are very fortunate to have such talented and energetic individuals that are sharing their time and energy for everyone’s benefit.”
Award recipients include: Joyce Seguin for Agricultural Leadership (Senior), Herb Cloutier for Arts and Culture (Senior), Sustainable North Grenville for Environment (Group), Eliza Batchelor for Exemplary Work in the Community (Youth), Neil Whyte for Exemplary Work in the Community (Senior), Kemptville Pride for Exemplary Work in the Community (Group), Members of the ParticipACTION working group for Health and Wellness (Group), Sarah Herring for Recreation Sport and Leisure (Senior), and The Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guides for the Youth Award (Group).
The Civic Awards Program was established to recognize and honour the contributions and dedication of individuals and groups who make outstanding contributions to improving the quality of life for all those living and working in North Grenville. Since the program began in 2009, more than 50 individuals and 11 groups have been recognized for their efforts.”
Recreation Sport and Leisure Award winner Mark Robinson told the Times that he was surprised to win the award, which he received for his volunteer efforts in maintaining the Bishop’s Mills Outdoor Rink and the Bishop’s Mills Community Park. “It’s nice to be recognized but I don’t do it to be recognized, I do it for the kids,” Mark said. “I know how much I enjoyed it when I was young, it breaks up the monotony of winter.”
Sarah Herring received the same award as Mark, but in the Seniors’ category. She told the Times, “I am so honoured to receive a civic award from the Municipality of North Grenville for my contribution to sport and recreation. When I moved to Kemptville five years ago, it was its recreational spaces – Ferguson Forest Centre, the Campus, the river – that first drew me in, so the Friends of the Ferguson Forest Centre, the Centre itself, and the municipality’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee, all seemed like natural places to volunteer in my new community. I don’t think you could find a more caring and vibrant community than North Grenville, so it’s my pleasure to live and serve here, and most especially to have been able to contribute to the community’s recreational spaces by founding Kemptville Winter Trail last winter, and working with Dwayne Dowdell of Kemptville Disc Golf Club to help establish the Ferguson Forest Disc Golf Course last spring. I couldn’t have done anything without the help and assistance of so many – my husband and family, the Ferguson Forest Centre, my fellow board and committee members, our mayor and council – most notably Councillor O’Sullivan – and the many generous individuals and businesses of North Grenville.” Other award recipients could not be reached for comment.
