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8- The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 17, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Family leaves friendly footprint on town By Karen Alton SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Sunday afternoon on Oakville's bustling main street, the sun beamed down obliquely on a near perfect fall day. In the cheery surroundings of Seasons restaurant about 80 citizens gathered to bid farewell and say thank you to super-volunteers Liz Benneian, Ken Kawall and their 12-year-old son Tyler. Tyler, it was noted, has played his part in the family effort with unusual grace. He has spent much of his young life on a diet of Council meetings, poetry readings and tree plantings. It turns out this is a healthy diet. Who knew? Benneian, a journalist by trade, and Kawall, a Chief Information Officer for the Ontario government, have been volunteers primarily in two significant areas, the environment with Liz, as president of Oakvillegreen, and Ken in the arts, as president of the Oakville Arts Council. After a decade in Oakville the family has moved on to a Victorian heritage house in Vineland in the Niagara Peninsula. The new digs mesh well with the family ethos, which values history, culture and a self-sustaining lifestyle. "It's a fabulous house built around 1900, with a decent sized garden so we can grow our own food. The only drawback is it's in Vineland," said Ken. The festivities on Sunday, organized by a committee led by Elka Ruth Enola of Oakville's Poetry Alliance, were apolitical by design and populated in roughly equal numbers by passionate environmentalists and lovers of the arts, plus one even more colourful stakeholder ­ if that is possible - the local multicultural group, Carousel of Nations. A quintessential "feel-good" event, the ticket cost a bargain $40 included a three course lunch and the gift for Benneian and Kawall, a garden bench, sourced through an Oakville company, and constructed of wood from a managed forest. Former MP Bonnie Brown showed up early but left discreetly before the food arrived and the speechifying began. Mayor Rob Burton had a seat at the head table beside his wife Wendy. The Mayor spoke briefly. "Ken and Liz have marked this community forever, in the areas of the Arts, and the Environment, and in Economics too," three elements he described as the cornerstones of the community. "Their abilities to bring people together and to communicate, to focus on tasks at hand, and to produce results, are unparalleled," he said. He lauded the couple for their example of "taking personal responsibility and taking action." See They'll page 9 MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER GREENER PASTURES: Liz Benneian her husband Ken Kawall and their son Tyler pose for the picture at Seasons Restaurant. The family is in the process of leaving Oakville for their new home in Vineland. Benneian is well known for her tireless work on environmental issues. Kawall is well known for his outstanding work with the Oakville Arts Council, the Scouts and the Carousel of Nations. Renovate · Decorate · Celebrate For a limited time join one of Ontario's finest athletic and social clubs at a 50% reduction. Nestled on the edge of Oakville's harbour, the Oakville Club is steeped in the rich history of its lore and the modern elixir of active relaxation. Offering a unique blend of sport and social engagements, the club appeals to the kinetic lifestyle in a tranquil setting. Families discover a compass of generations and a place to forge new memories. Yachting Tennis, squash, badminton State-of-the-art fitness centre and studio Heated outdoor pool Summer camps Family activities Childcare Personal trainers Renowned racquet professionals Social events Award-winning chef Waterside patio dining Casual restaurant and dining-room Magnificent setting A Vision for the future F D Time is Precious, Mistakes are Costly and Decorating is complicated. Act quickly and receive 50% off the regular entrance fee $7,000 IS NOW $3,500 Single $12,000 IS NOW $6,000 Couple Inquire about your Personal Design Consultation We at Fitz by Design are committed to creating breathtaking, functional spaces that are unique as the individuals living in them. 56 Water Street, Oakville, Ontario L6J 2Y3 Contact Kalee Mah at 905.845.0231 ext. 207 or kmah@oakvilleclub.com www.oakvilleclub.com