Wednesday, September 27, 2006 · Page 17 Seniors celebrate, gear up for winter games BY DANIEL SCHWAB EMERYVILLE For 25 years, participants of the Windsor-Essex County Senior Games have been proving that at any age, they can still spike a volleyball, swim a lap or take a slapshot. The "kick-off" event to the winter games brought more than 100 volunteers of the 55plus generation to the Knights of Columbus Hall in Emeryville Sept. 20. The luncheon paid tribute to the more than 150 local volunteers involved in the games. The event wouldn't have reached its quarter-century anniversary without its volunteers, said Jill Weatherston, president of the Windsor-Essex games. "Volunteers enjoy the games so much," Weatherston said. "And they feel that it is absolutely important for seniors to remain active all their retired lives and even before they're retired. We're one of the most successful districts in Ontario and that's absolutely because of the volunteers." This year's winter games will kick off during the second week in November at a handful of venues around Essex County and Windsor. Some of the events include hockey, cross country skiing, volleyball and badminton. Another event is curling, and members of the Windsor Senior Curling Association presented Weatherston with a cheque for CUTTING THE CAKE (L-R) Investment Planning Counsel sponsor Howard Haskings, Windsor-Essex County Senior Games President Jill Weatherston, recognized athlete Pauline Kniaziew and master of ceremonies Tony Doucette each lend a hand in cutting the cake during the games' 25th anniversary volunteer recognition luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Emeryville Sept. 20. $1,000 for some of the games' expenses. "It's this type of dedication that has kept us going for 25 years," said Paulette Kupnicki, the City of Windsor's co-ordina- tor of leisure services for seniors. Kupnicki was the lead speaker during the luncheon, commending sponsors and volunteers for their continuing support to the games. "To sustain an organization for 25 years is absolutely remarkable," she said. "It shows how important these games are. It helps seniors become reconnected." Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos attended the kick-off. He praised the group for its infectious spirit. "I recognize the spirit in this room is contagious," Santos said. The Kniaziews of Leamington were also recognized as the first family to be highlighted by the senior games committee this year. Throughout the year, the committee plans to honour families who have promoted sports and athleticism. Pauline Kniaziew said she spent her 35th wedding anniversary with her husband Richard in Frankfurt, Germany, participating in the Iron Man Triathlon. The event consisted of a 3.8-kilometre swim, a 180-kilometre bike ride and a 42kilometre marathon run. "Our daughter Claire waited for us at the finish line," Kniaziew joked. Last year, the family, which also includes Kniaziew's son Dufton, joined Canada's national triathlon team. "Physical activity at any level, any age, is healthy for a body and mind," Kniaziew said. Farm Credit Canada prepares for Drive Away Hunger campaign BY FREE PRESS STAFF Farm Credit Canada, a financial service provider for farmers and agriculturebased businesses across the country, is preparing for its Drive Away Hunger campaign. The program started in 2004 when a Guelph-based program manager drove an open cab tractor and trailer through the Listowel, Ont. area collecting food donations for eight days. The campaign in this area runs from Oct. 10-16. Farm Credit Canada employees will drive two tractors with 16-foot trailers from Windsor to Ottawa and on to Guelph collecting donations along the way. The crew will stop in Essex at BDO Dunwoody at 10 a.m. Oct. 10. Donations can be dropped off at all Agris locations in Essex County, as well as all Zehrs stores in Windsor, the Zehrs in LaSalle, CHYR and Bateman's Stationery in Leamington, and BDO Dunwoody, Essex Foodland and the Zehrs store in Essex. Donations of rice, tuna, canned fruit, baby formula, canned vegetables, fruit juice, peanut butter, granola bars and powdered milk are appreciated. The goal of the 2006 Ontario Drive Away Hunger campaign is 100,000 pounds of food. FCC employees said the food collected will be distributed throughout Ontario, including Essex. The Essex Area Food Bank and the Salvation Army in Essex, as well as other members of the WindsorEssex County Food Bank Association, will receive donations from the campaign, Anne Holding, a customer service representative for FCC, said. THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TECUMSEH MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT PROGRAM AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS/ BARRIERS TO IMPROVEMENTS REPORTS The MPMP report requires Ontario municipalities to measure and report to taxpayers on their performance in service delivery. The performance measures address both the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal services. The service areas reported on include garbage, sewage, water, transportation, fire, police, local government, land use, planning and social services. Section 300 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25 requires that municipalities provide notice to the public on improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of their delivery and to report on barriers to achieving these improvements. This report outlines the various improvements achieved by the Town of Tecumseh. Visit the Town's website at www.tecumseh.ca and click on the "Treasury Department" to view these reports and/or copies are available for viewing at the Tecumseh Town Hall, 917 Lesperance Road, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Luc Gagnon, CA BMath Director of Financial Services/Treasurer 519-735-2184 The winner of the Victim Services of Windsor and Essex County "Matco Tools" tool box raffle is ... ROGER MARENTETTE Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Ferns, Grasses, Bagged & Bulk Soil/Mulch Delivery and tree planting services, landscape design and house calls We specialize in Native Plants Countryside Upholstery "For all your furniture needs" 35 Victoria Avenue, Essex, ON. (519) 776-8778 (In rear next to Siefker Machine) ADVERTISE! 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