Maberly_volunteers

Jeff Green | Dec 04, 2008

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Arnold Fournier, Lorraine Fournier, Carl Ferguson, Doris Ferguson (with mike), Beverly Patterson, Gordon Patterson, Rosetta Van Alstine-McInnes, president.

On Saturday, November 29, Maberly Hall was packed with friends, neighbours and family to honour the longest serving members of the Maberly Fair. Rosetta VanAlstine-McInnes, president of the Maberly Agricultural Society, had planned and organized this event, keeping it a secret from the award recipients, bringing their family members from all over Ontario and even Western Canada, without their knowledge. There was no question about the surprise as tears flowed around the hall.

Volunteers honoured, with years of service to the Maberly Fair, were Carl Ferguson, 67 years of service, twice president, for a total of 10 years; Doris Ferguson, 59 years service, serving as Secretary-Treasurer for 10 years; Arnold Fournier, 32 years of service, serving as president for 4 years; Lorraine Fournier, 55 years of service; Gordon Patterson, 52 years of service, thrice president for a total of 13 years; and Beverly Patterson, 43 years service.

While the Fergusons and the Fourniers have “retired” and moved from Maberly to Perth, the Pattersons continue to farm on the boundary between North and South Sherbrooke. All continue to be active organizers of the fair.

Rosetta presented them with long service awards from the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies, certificates from MP Scott Reid and MPP Randy Hillier.

Keith Kerr, Reeve of Tay Valley Township personally presented township certificates of appreciation for volunteerism.

They received a long, standing ovation from their neighbours, a final admonition from Rosetta that these awards in no way relieved them of their responsibilities to continue serving on the board of directors and the floor was cleared for dancing to a Lanark County Band, Memory Lane.

The evening was a fitting tribute to these six fine people, who have given so many years of their talents and still continue to give unselfishly to their community.