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14 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tues. November 27, 1984 Pride of community win medals MABEL CAWKER She's everywhere There isn't too much going on in Nestleton that Mabel Cawker doesn't have a hand in. You can see her at family picnics, can- vassing for the Cana- dian Cancer Society, speaking at afternoon luncheons and suppor- ting local theatre. If there's a fair going on, Mabel's there, and if you've tasted something particularly tasty at a bake sale, there's a good chance that Mabel has baked it. Which is why Mabel Cawker was such a shoo-in for an Ontario Bicentennial medal. Only six local residents were chosen for the prestigious award, and it only makes sense that Mrs. Cawker was one of Farmer at heart When he's not busy in the community, Armour McMillan can be found in the basement of his Greenbank home, en- grossed in his wood- working hobby. However, that's not too often. Throughout his lifetime, Mr.McMillan has dedicated himself to others, and as a result, has won the Ontario Bicentennial medal. He was born on a farm near Greenbank (then Ontario County), one of ten children. He finished elementary school and then decided to stay home so younger members of the family could further their edu- cation. While they were off learning through books, Armour was lear- ning about farm life. He farmed with his father for 12 years and was finally given the oppor- tunity for education through the Department of Agriculture in Ux- bridge. Through the years he served on many farm organizations including the Port Perry Fair Board, Ontario County Holstein Club and the South Ontario Plow- mans Association. He was president of the Port Perry Fair Board for five years and has been honoured with a long time service dip- loma and made an honourary director. Mr. McMillan also served on municipal council for a number of years and was Deputy Reeve before Regional Council was born. And before being elected to council, he was chair- man of the controversial Committee of Adjust- ment. Since his retirement from the farm he has worked with a farm implement dealership in Sunderland and has always been willing to help with community projects at the church, park or Centennial Hall. A number of years ago, he placed a trophy in Greenbank School to be won by a graduate and he continues to give cash prizes for the completion of 4-H projects. them. Her list of accomplish- ments is extraordinarily long and includes nearly 30 years with the Cancer Society, writing a weeky news column for the Port Perry Star, and various other publica- tions, more than 20 years with the Order of the Eastern Star, and dedicated membership with the United Church. She has also been ac- tively involved with the Federated Women's In- stitutes of Ontario in- cluding four years at the Honeydale Branch, three years as District President, three years as Provincial Board Director and six years as Toronto and. area public relations officer. She is also the co- founder of the Louise Patterson Handicraft Guild and has a natural talent for piano and voice. When she's not doing something for the com- munity, which isn't too often, Mrs. Cawker has her husband Sam and four boys to think about. She also has a great affection for plants (she has nearly 80), dancing, hiking and driving. ARMOUR McMILLAN Didn't expect to win Earl Martyn really didn't expect to win an Ontario Bicentennial medal. But nobody else was surprised when the for- mer politician and EARL MARTYN community worker was awarded one of nearly 2,000 specially minted medals, marketing On- tario's 200th anniver- sary, and the people who have laboured to make the province what it is today. Mr. Martyn was born and raised on farmland just south of Prince Albert, where he still makes his home in a comfortable bungalow with his wife Jean and their pet poodle Noel. Although he doesn't get around the way he used to, the retired farmer still does occasional vol- unteer work for Comm- unity Care and the Oddfellows Lodge. At one time, however, he spent most of his time dedicated to his community, including six years in municipal politics. He was Reeve "the year Kennedy was shot" and although he thoroughly liked Council he was happy (uv return to the farm "I enjoy politics, I still do, but I didn't lose any sleep when 1 left," he said. "'l was, after all, a farmer." He was also deeply involved with his church Prince Albert United, where he took on nearly every job available, in- cluding steward and church elder. But it was his work with the Community Hospital Board and the Port Perry Fair Board that helped earn him the medal, a dedicated de- cade with each organ- ization. An institution More than anything, Percy Van Camp is an institution in Black- stock. He received a tumult- ous ovation at this summer's Blackstock Fair, as he opened the festivities with a speech chock full of anecodotes about the "good old days' of the fair's early beginnins. Percy's father first took an interest in the fair, and passed it down to his children (there were 11 in the family), in particuar to Percy, who cultivated his inter- est in the fair board for the next half century. True to the Van Camp tradition, he passed his own interest in the fair to his sons, and even to his grandson. After holding nearly every possible position on the fair board, Mr. Van Camp was hon- oured with a special diploma and now con- siders himself retired with his wife in their home on Scugog Street. It was his dedicated service to the Black- stock Fair, billed as "the best little one-day fair around," has earned him an Ontario Bicentennial medal - and the respect of his community. About his time with the board, Mr. Van Camp says, "The whole thing is, I must have liked it or I wouldn't have done it!" VIN WALKER Mr. Softball If it wasn't for Vin Walker, Port Perry's minor softball league wouldn't be as big as it is today. Some claim Mr. Walker started the league single-handed but the modest father of two says he had a lot of help. Whatever the case may be, Mr. Walker was one of six local residents who were chosen to be recipients of Ontario Bicentennial medals, an honour that will be bestowed on the pro- vince's most caring individuals. Vin came to Port Perry to stay in 1962, the . same year the town's first ball diamond was built on the lakeshore. He'd lived here once before but he had grown up in Oshawa. On the other hand, his wife, Jean, was born and raised here, so it was here that the family made a permanent home. His children, Karen and Kevin, were looking for a little athletic involvement so Vin started a ball team in his backyard with the help of neighbours. There had been a smattering of ball players throughout the town but nobody had taken the time to organ- ize things. Vin had some experience coaching hockey and softball in Oshawa, so with his guidance, minor softball struggled to its feet. Now he's a past presi- dent of the Ontario Amateur Softball Assoc- iation and the Canadian Amateur Softball Asso- ciation. There's no doubt about it, Mr.Walker's dedica- tion to sport and to the children of this comm- unity had made his extremely popular. { Says Earl Martyn, a fellow medal winner, "I'm sure glad to see Vin Walker win a medal. No one deserves it more than him." - EE -------- a. PERCY VAN cAMP