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Wednesday, September 27, 2006 · Page 16 Leamington and Mersea Historical Society recognizes heritage contributions BY BILL GAY Key people and projects were recognized last Friday by the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society at an awards ceremony held at the Rhine Danube in Leamington. The Heritage First Families award went to the Conover family. The Society's award for restoration or preservation was presented to Blytheswood General Store. The Royal Bank Historic Contribution award was posthumously given to the late Peter and Helen Epp. Heritage and historic cerificates of merit went to the alph Foster family for his iscovery of oil and gas in he area as early as 1825. The late William Hilborn as recognized for being he first horticulturalist to row flowers in a greenouse from 1889 to 1896. Leamington Councillor on Nicholson was singled ut for a lifetime achieveent award for serving the rea in a variety of organizaions. Roger Roney, who now o-chairs the group restorng the historic Michigan entral Railway Station in eamington, was honoured for many years of activity in key historical projects. Joyce Minhinnick won recognition for her active role in the work of the Historical Society. The Heritage or Historic Contribution (living) awards went to both Albert Hoekstra and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 84, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary in December. The Leamington and Mersea Historical Society was founded in 1979 to foster, maintain, restore and display artifacts relevant to the local area. Their museum at Albuna is open from 1:30 to 4:30, Saturday and Sunday, from March to the first weekend in December. Mayor John Adams, left, congratulates Royal Canadian Legion Branch 84 President John Garton. The Branch is celebrating its 80th anniversary in December. Trails and walkways fundraiser cancelled The Essex Trails and Walkways second annual fundraiser dinner scheduled for Sept. 30 has been cancelled. Ward 3 Councillor Bill Caixeiro, who sits on the committee, said slow ticket sales prompted the cancellation. An award presentation originally scheduled during the event has been re-schedled for the Oct. 2 town ouncil meeting at 7 p.m. Trillium Grant workshop The Town of Lakeshore, in partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundtion, will offer a Trillium Grant workshop on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 3 to 5 .m. at the Comber ommunity Centre. Non-profit groups and ervice clubs in the surounding areas are invited to SVP before Oct. 3 by conacting Terri-Ann Hurst at 28-2700, ext. 271.