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Countylive is on holiday this week and will be updating at a minimum. Please enjoy exploring the site, and the year-in-review series of photographs from 2017.
The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s inaugural ‘Celebration of Life Monarch Butterfly Release’ was held simultaneously at Wellington Park and at the Whattam Funeral Home garden in Picton. “Butterflies are an acknowledgement of a life lived,” said Monica Alyea, hospital foundation chairman. “Their release signifies freedom and encourages those left behind to take another step in the healing process.” Above, Leo and Maureen Finnegan release their butterflies at the Whattam Funeral Home park while hospital foundation vice-chairman Fran Donaldson and Whattam and Hicks funeral homes owner Bob Osborne look on. – Sandra Foreman photo
On hand to answer questions to a standing-room-only crowd at councillor Steve Ferguson’s Milford Town Hall meeting on wind turbines were OPP’s Nicole Lott, APPEC’s Orville Walsh, lawyers Dave DeMille and Samantha Foster, the County’s Director of Operations Preston Parkinson, Mayor Robert Quaiff, CAO James Hepburn, MPP Todd Smith. The crowd hear no stone will be left unturned in effort to stop industrial wind turbines from affecting South Marysburgh.
Emma Lough was named Baby of the Year at the Picton Fair Baby Show. Emma captured everyone’s attention while she toured the stage and kept her mother, Melissa Lough of Picton, and her grandmother busy. She won in the 13-18 month female category. – Olivia Timm photo
The Murray Clapp Memorial Citizenship Awards were presented at the Milford Fair by Joyce Minaker, Leona Head and Glendon Walker, to local residents to mark and honour exemplary volunteer contributions within the community. This year’s recipients were Susan Creasy, Steve Ferguson, Karen Guernsey, Barb Proctor, Wesley Spafford, and Doug McGregor, who was unable to attend the ceremony. – Sharon Harrison photo
The seventh annual Veterans’ Day ceremony at Glenwood Cemetery began with a parade of colour parties that marched to the sounds from the 8 Wing Trenton Pipe and Drum Band. Glenwood is the final resting place for more than 250 veterans who served in Canada’s military engagements. – Olivia Timm photo
Electrical issues were determined as the cause of fire that destroyed the back portion of a home on Talbot Street. Firefighters were assisted on the scene by EMS monitoring for heat exhaustion. One firefighter was treated at Picton hospital, and released. The OPP also assisted with the investigation and traffic control. One family dog and two cats perished at the scene.
Search and Rescue was in the air and on the ground at Mountain View using real training and skills in response to a mock air disaster. The annual National Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) includes aerial and ground searches, medical responses, parachute accuracy and rescues.
Council amended its Committee of the Whole motion to include a six-month timeline to receive request for proposal purchase offers and alternative proposals for the old Picton fire hall and town hall. Seven County residents spoke to “immeasurable benefits” of the hall, its importance to the community, and asked for 18-24 months to come up with a sustainable plan for its future.
Taste Community Grown took on a new flavour this year, serving up one of the County’s favourite events with a little change on the side. The wine and culinary festival took place, for the first time, at historic Camp Picton, in the Loch Sloy hangers and the change in venue was not the only difference. The event had something for all ages – from beer and wine and plenty of food – to jewellry, arts, crafts, live entertainment and family fun for an event bustling with locals and tourists alike. – Olivia Timm photo