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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2005 THE NEW TANNER 13 Pioneer Days another outstanding success Rockwood's Pioneer Day celebrations were a huge success last Sat- urday. The fun started with the annual Rubber Duckie Race at the Li- ons' Waterside Park. Six hundred rubber duckies. floated to the finish line on the Eramosa River. This event raised $1513 for the Guelph Wish Fund for Children, who sponsored Pioneer Day and donated prizes and award plaques. The next special event at Waterside Park was the unveiling of a bronze plaque commemorating the found- ers of Rockwood, donated by the Rockwood and District Lions Club. The inscription provides a concise history of Rockwood, from its' first settler in 1821, John Harris, to its' incorporation as a police village in 1903. Lion Grant McRae pre- sented the plaque with a speech describing how it came about. Lion Fred T. Hawkins pointed out that most communities have plaques commemorating their founders and suggest- ed that the Lions create and erect such a plaque in Rockwood's Waterside Park. Unfortunately, Mr. Hawkins met with a fatal accident and never saw his vision realized. His family asked Fred to be remembered by donating to the Rockwood and District Lion's Club. These donations were ear- marked for the development of his idea. Another Lion, Jim Nellis, succumbed to a fatal illness, and his wife Grace and family requested donations be made to the Lions. Mr. Len McDougall did the same in memory of his wife Edna. Together, the generous donations to this memorial fund allowed Fred's dream to become real- ity. Lions Bruce Hunter, Don Martin, Cam Mullen and Grant McRae formed a com- mittee to create and erect the plaque, which was presented to the community. Meanwhile, at the old fire hall, Rockwood Centennial Public School grades 7 and 8 students held a car wash and garage sale. The students initiated this fundraiser with the help of their bus driver, Denise Fisher. The students raised over $1,000 for the improvement of their play- ground, which currently has no play structure and will soon have no swings. The next event was the Pioneer Day Parade, which started at Rockmosa Com- munity Centre and ended at Lloyd Dyer Park. It was led by the Acton Citizens' Band. They were followed by a colourful array of floats, decorated bicycles, classic and antique cars and trac- tors, and a Swiss carnival band. First prize for best float went to Lisa Logan and Honourable Mention: This Lil? Ol' Lady won most unique entry. She is a Pioneer Day institution, mysteriously appearing in the parade each year. - Re- becca Ring photo friends for their "Pirates of the Caribbean" entry, featuring Jack Sparrow and other swashbucklers on their pirate ship. Second prize went to the Rockwood Centennial Public School grade 3 students for their historical hay wagon entry. The children, dressed in pioneer's clothing, rode ona hay wagon pulled by an an- tique tractor and decorated with old photographs depict- ing Rockwood's pioneering past. Third prize went to Rob Leighton for his pony-drawn cart. Honourable Mention for most unique entry went to the "Little ol' Lady," whose identity is fiercely guarded. Local children decorated their bikes providing a bril- liant display of colour and creativity. Each received a medallion. First, second and third prizes went to Tosh Wilson, David Duffield and Emma Stiles. A unique entry was 13 year-old Addison Rayner driving his racing kart. He is currently running in the Hamilton Regional Kart Club in the World Formula Junior Class. He finished in the top 10 in all races so far this year, placing first in one and third in another. He finished second in last year's championships. There was a great turnout to Lloyd Dyer Park, despite the stifling heat and humidity. There was lots of delicious food provided by local ven- dors and restaurateurs. There were also several interesting displays, including a "Birds. of Prey" demonstration by Mountsberg Conservation Area. Volunteers Lara Butt and Kevin Bissessar in- troduced three birds to the crowd; Gwen, a barn owl; Takenya, a red-tailed hawk; and Calvin, an American kestrel. The Conservation- ists educated the audience on the behaviors and traits of each bird, as well as issues threatening their survival in the wild, such as loss of nesting sites for the barn owl. As metal barns replace wooden ones, and urban- ization reduces agricultural land, the barn owl's numbers are declining. Volunteers erect nesting boxes for the owls to help counteract these problems. The kids enjoyed a hockey "rink" set up by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately, there were no NHL players on hand. The day ended with an evening dance at the park. Everyone had a good time. Dr. Clare Maine of the Rockwood Veterinary Clinic hosted the event and the proceeds went to Animals Homeward Bound, which helps homeless animals find families. First Prize Float: "Pirates of the Caribbean" won first prize in the Pioneer Day Parade. It was created by Lisa, Mary, and Crystal Logan, Carl Daymen (Jack Sparrow), Wade Buczek, Peter King, Adam Hunt and others. - Photo by Rebecca Ring SECOND PRIZE FLOAT: Rockwood Centennial Public School's Grade 3 Class took second prize for their historic hay wagon. - Rebecca Ring photo Guelph/ (Council Chip S by Rebecca Ring Eramosa Lions get Donation for Spring Fair On behalf of the Rockwood and District Lions Club, Dar- ryl Nichol spoke at the last meeting of Guelph/Eramosa township council to request help from the municipality. He requested direct donation. or a substantial reduction in Rockmosa Community Cen- tre rental fees. The Lions club wants to continue its causes, such as free diabetic informa- tion breakfast sessions, teen dances, school programs such as anti-bullying education, purchasing items for special needs students, and money for grad students to attend grad night who would not otherwise have the means, etc. Council voted to donate $500 on the basis that Lions Club proceeds go to the com- munity. Regarding Rockmosa fees, the Lions were previ- ously granted rights of access because they built the hall. This is a long-standing agree- ment and council requested an updated copy before discuss- ing fee waivers. Two Area Schools Request Help for Playgrounds Both Rockwood Centennial and Eramosa Public Schools need help raising funds for replacing play structures in their playgrounds. Old play structures were deemed un- safe by the government and either removed or soon to be removed. Sandra Boyd and Mary Livingston spoke on behalf of the Rockwood Centen- nial School's playground improvement committee. They explained that no level of government or the school board is responsible for the cost. A group of parent volun- teers is trying to raise $50,000 and organize the refurbishing of the playground. All the council members were sur- prised and dismayed that there is no government responsibil- ity for these funds. Mayor Martin explained there is no place for a township donation in "the act". Councillor White suggested that they look into how council look into how they can help. All agreed that play,structures are needed in the school playgrounds. McCrae asked about the liability and ownership. Boyd explained that the school would own them but the Parent Council would be li- able, but they have an option to buy insurance with the equipment. White added that this is a physical fitness is- sue and asked if the Trillium Foundation was approached. Committee member Debbie Drake said that the township could apply on the commit- tee's behalf due to community need. Elizabeth Lengyel and Ron Hawkins then spoke on behalf of Eramosa Public School's playground committee. Their situation is almost identical to Rockwood Centennial's. Property and Leisure Services manager Brad Ro- elofson was asked to meet with the groups and develop a strategy. He recommended entering into joint owner- ship of the playgrounds. This would qualify them for dif- ferent funds. White will take a sample draft agreement to the AMO to see what could be available. McCrae voiced concerns that "what is good for the goose is good for the gander" and there are other schools in the township. He agreed that these two schools' needs are immediate. Eden Mills Park Parking Richard Lay spoke about parking at Eden Mills Park. Currently, drivers are in- structed to park their cars on the grassy field beyond the playground. He suggested alternatives, but according to Brad Roelofson, each had problems. Lay is concerned that the grassy lot will be paved but Roelofson said* there are no plans to do so because the community ob- jected. The current parking set up is being tried out this year and will be reevalu- ated. TakingTenders for Bridge Construction The township has received tenders from construction companies to build the Eden Mills bridge. Public Works Manager Ken Gagnon is recommending Marshall Filmore Construction as they submitted the lowest bid and Gagnon was satisfied with the company's history. He said construction should begin in the end of June or beginning of July. The bridge will be usable during the Writer's Festival. The Rockwood Karate Club Dojo Instructor Donna Haskett 519-856-2058 EMAIL:donnagmac@yahoo.ca OR VISIT: rockwoodkarate.com