Three County residents honoured with Queen’s Jubilee medals

Three Prince Edward County residents were among 13 recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. County residents honoured were Jeanette Arsenault,shown above with MPP Todd Smith and RCMP constable David Burtch. Gerald (Jerry) Mattis also received a medal. Myrna Wood was honoured but was unable to attend the ceremony.

Jerry Mattis with MPP Smith and RCMP constable Burtch.

The obverse depicts a crowned image of the Sovereign, in whose name the medal is bestowed. The reverse marks the sixtieth, or diamond, anniversary of the accession to the Throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The anniversary is expressed by the central diamond shape, by the background composed of a pattern of diamonds, and by the two dates. The Royal Cypher consists of the Royal Crown above the letters EIIR (i.e., Elizabeth II Regina, the latter word meaning Queen in Latin). The maple leaves refer to Canada, while the motto VIVAT REGINA means “Long live The Queen!”

Three Prince Edward County residents were among 13 recipients of the new commemorative medal created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne as Queen of Canada.
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal honours Her Majesty for her service to this country, and at the same time, serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. County residents honoured were Jeanette Arsenault, Myrna Wood and Gerald (Jerry) Mattis.
“I am always amazed by the volunteer spirit that exists here in Quinte,” said Prince Edward Hastings MP Todd Smith, who hosted the event and presented the medals Thursday night at Zwick’s Island Park in Belleville. “So many of our organizations are run solely by volunteers in the communities that make great things happen.|”
Smith honoured the 13 receipients and noted there would be more presented by MP Daryl Kramp later in the fall. During this year of celebrations, 60,000 Canadians are to be recognized for making significant contributions. The medal’s ribbon uses a new arrangement of the blue, red and white colours found in the 1953 Coronation Medal, the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal.

The recipients:
Jeanette Arsenault, a staple of the music and arts community in Prince Edward County. She volunteers her time and musical talens with many charitable causes in the County, provincially, nationally, and internationally. She has also volunteer with the 60 Million Girls organization which empowers women and girls through education and The Invisible Army which supports the families and communities of Canadian soldiers.
“What a wonderful way to create a bridge between our cultures at a time when I am presenting my Acadian heritage to the world with my new show, ‘I’m An Acadian-Canadian, eh!’,” Arsenault said. “I happily accept this medal in the spirit of celebration and reconciliation.”

Gerald (Jerry) Mattis, has been an avid community volunteer for many years. He has volunteered with the humane society and minor hockey in Prince Edward County and The Royal Canadian Legion. He served in the artillery and has been a scout leader. He was a foster parent for many years, housing up to 14 children at a time.

Myna Wood was honoured for her work as founder of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, an organization dedicated to protecting the wildlife in Prince Edward County. Wood is also a long time women’s rights activist and a long time volunteer with the Prince Edward County Public Library in Picton.

Andy Forgie, for more than 20 years, has been a staple of the Belleville and surrounding areas music and arts communities. He has volunteered his time, services and skills to charity events and music festivals in the Quinte region. He also performs musical therapy at several area nursing homes.

Cindy Brandt is a long time volunteer in the Stirling area. She helped organize events such as the annual Mill Pond Tournament and most recently Stirling’s successful bid to be named Kraft Hockeyville. The money raised by Cindy and the volunteers from Hockeyville will go to upgrading the Stirling District Recreation Centre.

Richard Lowrey is a volunteer and long-time chairman of the annual Marmora SnoFest event which features dog sled racing and talent shows among its activities.

Joyce (Joy) Husak, with fellow medal recipient Pauline Ramsbottom, has been one of the main support volunteers for the Bancroft Mayo Community Centre. She also cleans, organizes, plays music and makes food for the seniors at the popular centre.

Pauline Ramsbottom, was also one of the main support volunteers for the Mayo Community Centre, also cleaning, organizing events, playing music and making food weekly for more than 20 years.

Harry Latta has been a tireless and dedicated volunteer to the Belleville Minor Hockey Association and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association for more than 30 years, and also served with its board of directors.

Bertha (Bert) Moore has been volunteering for more than 55 years with many organizations, including the Salvation Army, Canadian Cancer Society, the ALS Society, Community Care South Hastings, the Kiwanis Club, Quinte Ballet School adn Quinte Curling Club.

Rick Watt, is the long-time chair and volunteer with Operation Red Nose, Quinte, the well-known holiday drive-home service that strives to reduce impaired driving.

Susan Catherwood has worked with Inn from the Cold and Thank Goodness It’s Friday, two community outreach meal programs offered through Bridge Street Church. She is also a children’s entertainer and volunteer in the pediatric ward at Belleville hospital.

Larry McTaggart has volunteered with various childrens’ and recreational programs in the Bancroft area over the past 20 years, including the Bancroft and District Minor Hockey, Community Family Movie Program and has served on municipal councils in the Townships of Dungannon, Bancroft and North Hastings.