Northern Frontenac Community Services Volunteer of the Year

Jeff Green | Apr 14, 2016

Northern Frontenac Community Services thanked over 100 of its volunteers at an annual dinner at St. James Catholic Church hall in Sharbot Lake on Monday night, April 11.

After everyone had enjoyed a dinner of chicken breast, peas and new potatoes, followed by cake, it was time for the main event, the announcement of the winner of the Volunteer of the Year award. When Gail Young, the co-ordinator of Frontenac Transportation Services (FTS), came to the microphone at the front of the hall, it was a tip the audience that the winner this year would be one of the FTS drivers, who collectively drove over 600,000 kilometres this past year.

Marion Barker is a dedicated driver who has been with FTS for many years and makes herself available Monday to Friday each week.

“About two years ago she tried to take Fridays off, but so many clients ask for her by name and she can't say no to them,” said Gail Young.

Young also said that Marion Barker is able to juggle different ongoing trips at one time.

“She brings client A to one location, and instead of, waiting, collects client B and brings them where they have to go; then heads back to bring client A home before returning to pick up client B. She has as many as four clients on the go at one time like that. I only knew how complicated it all was when she got sick one day and I had to replace her. The new driver just looked at the paperwork and shook their head,” said Young.

For her part, Marion Barker said she enjoys the atmosphere at FTS and NFCS.

After the award ceremony, the father and son duo of Gilbert and Justin Riddell played together in public for the first time. They played a selection of their favorite Waylon Jennings and George Jones tunes, to the delight of all the “outlaw country” fans in the room. They also marked the death of Merle Haggard this past weekend by performing a number of songs from his extensive catalogue.

Gib plays often with the Old Habits, but hopefully the Gib and Justin show will return sometime soon. Their harmonies are too good to be heard only in the Riddell family kitchen.