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alK (înnaîunn Statesman • 1 /fi & ü,if N, A r/u - fi ws 71 i Section Two Wednesday, June 11, 1986 To celebrate 52 years of dedicated service and to mark the occasion of her retirement, retirement, Maple Grove United Church congregation joined with many past and present choir members on Sunday, June 8th to honour Edna roes© U J -V Æf umm hrrove Organist -gL Laird, church organist. Master of ceremonies, Ross Metcalf, brought to life, memories from the past. He recalled Edna's early experiences experiences playing the old pump organ in the original church building, heated by two wood stoves. "Today," Roes said, "the church and community at large are honouring a super, grand lady and church musician." Ross noted that Edna served first from 1923 until 1947 and then again from 1958 until the present time. "What a great record!" He paid tribute to Edna's kindness, sincerity, dependability dependability and sense of humour, attributes which have endeared endeared her to three generations generations of choir members. Speaking on behalf of himself himself and past ministers of Maple Grove United Church, Rev. Mark Elliott praised Edna for her enormous contribution contribution to the Christian ministry through the field of music. He noted the benefit provided to all the church's ministers by Edna's personal attitudes. Mrs. Ruth Harris, pastoral assistant and wife of the late Rev. David Harris, a former minister of the charge, commented commented on Edna's Christian commitment, likening her to a tall tree whose deep roots provided the strength to withstand withstand the changing circum stances of life. Mildred Huband expressed appreciation on behalf of all the assembled choir members for Edna's patience and understanding throughout the years. A beautifully decorated cake was provided for the occasion by Mrs. Velma Spry. Gifts on behalf of those in attendance included a sum of money, a radio/ recorder combination, presented by Win Brown arid a bicycle which was ceremoniously rid den into the C.E. Hall by Paul McIntyre, a member of the present choir. Even though Edna Laird's retirement as organist will mark the end of an era for Maple Grove United Church, the congregation can still look forward to her participation in other aspects of the life of the church. ,Jhj fct After 52 years as organist of Maple Grove United Church, Edna Laird retired on Sunday. She is Gifts to Edna Laird included a bicycle ridden in by choir member Paul At the reception for retiring organist Edna Laird present and former members of the choir pictured here behind her cake and flowers. McIntyre and a combination radio-recorder presented by Win Brown. Sunday morning at Maple Grove United Church, assembled on stage behind the honored guest. At the West Durham District Scouts Appreciation and Awards Night in Orono Community Centre on Saturday, head table guests were, from the left, District Commissioner Roger Leetooze, and his wife Sherrell, Mayor and Mrs. John Winters, District President Dan Bonakowsky, Provincial Field Secretary John Stevens, Records Keeper Betty Charland, the Rev. James Small, Chaplain of Newcastle Group. Members of the Orono Group Committee served a sumptuous roast beef dinner to the assembly and took a brief rest in the kitchen when this photo was taken. District Commissioner Roger Leetooze was called upon to make a special award to Alf Brown, a former District President who has also filled many other positions including more recently his work on behalf of St. John Ambulance and as co-ordinator of Scout paper drivers in Bowmanville. These were only a few of the many service presentations that were made. Many of the leaders with Scouting Groups, from West Durham District, met at the Orono Community Centre on Saturday, June 7th, for the annually held Appreciation and Awards Night. The District District Annual Meeting was included in the agenda this year, as well. Our numbers in attendance were down this year, as many leaders were away at various camps with their boys. As we all tucked into the delicious roast beef dinner, served by Marg Bradley and the Orono Group Committee, our thoughts went out to those, sitting around their camp stoves eating "Weinies and beans." Head table guests included Dan Bonakowsky, West Durham Durham District President; Rev. James Small, chaplain for the Newcastle Scout Group; John Stevens, the Provincial Field Executive for Quinte Region; Mayor John Winters and his wife; Roger Leetooze, District Commissioner for West Durham Durham and his wife. After a bountiful meal, for which Rev. Small gave thanks, it was time for the presentation of training and service awards to the leaders. Three year warrants were presented to: Sharon Hof- stede, George Atchison, Richard Annis, Kevin Bates, Tom Colliss, Jim Coyle, Sandra Dennis, George For- sey, Walter Hollander, A1 Hyland, Hyland, Mary McDonald, Grand Snowden, Ron Whitbread, Andrew Mann, Robert Smith. Five year service pins were presented to: Bob Smith, George Forsey, Walter Hollander, Hollander, Chris Vandevelte, Bob Goodmurphy, Steve Gods- mark, Ted Bumstead, Abe Hofstede, Marg Colliss. Ten year pins were presented to: Tony Clements, Marg Hill, Elaine Werheid, Fred Snead, Abe Hofstede, Marg Colliss, Ruth Yeo. A15 year pin was presented to Dan Bonakowsky. 20 year pins were presented to: Ernie Colliss and Helen Theissen, A 25 year pin was presented to Gord Haddow. John Stevens, the Provincial Field Executive, led the round of applause for these recipients, saying that the average term of a volunteer in Scouting is 18 months. He was delighted to see so many long service pins awarded in West Durham. A special award was presented to Bob Hill of Newcastle, Newcastle, for his work over the ^ears at the District level. A well deserved service presentation presentation was made to Alf Brown for his long and faithful service to Scouting. Alf was active over the years as District District President as well as many other positions and most recently as the co-ordinator of the Bowmanville Scout Paper Drives. He has attended, faithfully, faithfully, to all gatherings as our St. John's First Aid person for many years, no matter if we travel away from home on a camp-out or use local facilities. facilities. He was given a standing ovation to show our appreciation appreciation for his diligent service. Training awards were presented as well, £art I Woodbadge woggles were presented to: Jim Noble of the 7th Bowmanville group; Jim Wickens of the 1st Hill- crest group; Chris Vandevelte of the 1st Bethany/ Pontypool group; Ryan Lebeau of the 1st Bethany/ Pontypool group. Unfortunately, none of these four people was in attendance and these awards will be presented at their group meetings as soon as possible. Many other training awards have been earned around the District this year, but these have been presented at various meetings and activities activities throughout the year. The Annual Meeting consisted consisted of a short business meeting and the election of officers for the 1986-87 Scouting Scouting season. The nominating committee put forward the following slate of officers, who agreed to stand for the positions and were duly elected by a show of hands: President: Dan Bonakowsky; Bonakowsky; Vice President: Bill Kraayvanger; Treasurer: Bert Watson; Secretary: Bill Harford; Records: Betty Charland; Registrar: Kal Jones; Training Co-ordinator: Sherrell Leetooze; Trees for Canada Chairman: Gord Haddow; Badge Secretary: Helen Theissen; Public Relations Co-ordinator: Ian Wilson. The District President, Dan Bonakowsky, announced the District's wish that Roger Leetooze be appointed for another term as District Commissioner. Commissioner. On behalf of the Provincial council, John Stevens, Field Executive for Quinte Region, approved the appointment. Mr. Stevens then installed the new officers,' as they repeated their Scouting Scouting promise. SCOUTS CANADA WEST DURHAM DISTRICT President Dan Bonakowsky had high praise for Bob Hill of Newcastle for his many years of work on behalf of Scouting at the District level.