New support for Sydenham's Canada Day celebrations

Jun 16, 2011

Photo: Jane Timbrell & Lanny Newell 

Seven-year Sydenham resident, Jane Timbrell, who is one of the committee members for the Canada Day celebrations at the Point in Sydenham, has come up with a new idea for a competition for this year’s celebrations. The event will be the “Best Decorated House” competition and it will be open to the entire community as part of the Canada Day celebrations.

Jane presented her idea to the Point's Canada Day committee, who not only liked it - but since she has decorated her own home for many years, they also appointed her as the event organizer and the judge. “I have always decorated my own home for Canada Day and thought it would be a lot of fun to run a competition so that the whole community could participate.”

It was around the time that the idea for a competition was born that Jane met Lanny Newell, of the Newell family business, the new owners of the Taylor Plaza in Sydenham. Lanny said the timing was perfect since he was looking for ways to give back to the community, and he agreed to sponsor Jane’s new Canada Day competition. “Giving back to the community is a really important part of what I and my family do.”

On June 10 in front of Hillside Coffee in the soon to be renamed Hillside Plaza, Lanny presented Jane with a cheque for $350 to sponsor her event. As new corporate citizens to the community, Newell, who hails from Brockville, feels it is important for him and his family, “to integrate ourselves with the Sydenham community by supporting community events like this one.” The competition invites all home owners and business owners to decorate their premises for Canada Day. Only the residential entries will be judged on the day of the event and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Area business have donated the prizes, which will be gift certificates for $200, $100 and $50. Canada Day at Sydenham Point will take place on Friday July 1 and will include all of the regular events and local musical entertainment. Watch for further ads and posters prior to the event.