Agricultural Society celebrates with gala night

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Bill Freeman

---

EMC News -Norwood "The Norwood Fair is the epitome of what Peterborough County is," says Peterborough County Warden and Douro-Dummer Township Mayor J. Murray Jones.

"Nothing binds the Norwood Fair more than its commitment to provide hospitality for everyone," adds Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal.

Warden Jones and MPP Leal made their comments during the Agricultural Society's annual awards dinner, a night of celebration and refl ection on the record-breaking 143rd edition which drew an estimated 55,000 people to the Friendly Town during the three-day Thanksgiving Weekend event.

Awards for high points and distinguished voluntary service were among those presented during the event which filled the community centre's Millennium Room.

It was also a night of thank-yous from president Greg Stewart who presided over the last two fairs and six days of unimaginably warm weather.

"It's been a pleasure to work with so many great volunteers over the last two years," said Stewart, who joined the executive as a junior director 18 years ago.

"As a kid growing up I watched the fair grow and evolve into an event that is certainly one-of-a-kind," he said.

"It's been a privilege to be on the executive."

Stewart collectively thanked all he's worked with but singled out secretary-manager Paul Quinlan for his assistance and guidance during the last six years.

His strongest words of praise were for the fair's participants and sponsors.

"If it wasn't for you it wouldn't be the fair it is."

"Each and every year you outdo yourself," added Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Mayor Ron Gerow.

People travel from across North America to enjoy the fair, the former county warden added.

"It's second to none and we all know that."

"Mostly we need to thank the volunteers," Asphodel-Norwood Mayor Doug Pearcy said. "That says a lot about our community that we're a community that works together and gets things done."

Mayor Pearcy recalled that at last year's gala the township was "challenged" to extend Alma Street to County Road 42 and that council has delivered, taking some surplus funds from the King Street reconstruction project and completing the extension.

"It's going to be an asset as we move down the road," he said.

Raeburn Scott received the George Richardson Memorial Volunteer Award which recognized his work in organizing curling club members and their friends to operate the gate, an arrangement that realized $6,700 for the club this year.

"This is for sure our largest fund raiser, it keeps us afloat," Scott said.

He called the relationship between the club and Fair Board "unique."

"We all know that the fair puts Norwood on the map. We have to provide things that make Norwood a good place to live and I think the curling club is one of those things."

Award winners:

George Richardson Memorial Award -Raeburn Scott

Agricultural Service Award -Bonnie and Alex Davidson

Stinson family Award (elementary school high points) -Laura Cassidy Lobb

Zapletal Family Award (secondary school high points) -Cameron Stockdale

D.A. McNeil Memorial Award (special education high points) -Emily Buchanan

Dairy High Points -Tara and Randy Bullock

Beef High Points -Billy Elmhirst

Homecraft High Points -Lois Moffat







blog comments powered by Disqus