Clearview Hall of Famers announced
Inductions into Clearview Township’s new Culture and Sports Hall of Fame were announced at an awards ceremony Tuesday.
The Young Leader in Culture award went to Creemore’s Emily Fischl, AKA Emilie Que; Athlete of the Year went to karate champion Michelle Maizis; the Builder Award went posthumously to William Paul “Siv” Carruthers; the Team Award went to the 1973-1977 Stayner Siskins Junior D team; the Community Volunteer Award went to SCI basketball coach Tony denBok; the Artist Achievement Award went to Frieda Linke, of Linke’s Local Arts Gallery in Stayner; and the Festival and Event Award went to Gathering of the Classics.
Fischl, nominated by Barb LaFleshe, was recognized for all the work she does in the community, including offering art camp for many years with her mom darci-que, and for her talents as a singer.
Maizis, nominated by her son Alexandros, was recognized for competing at several world championships, too many to count. In 2017 she won gold in women’s over 60kg point fighting and gold in women’s Japanese kata while representing Team Canada at the World Martial Arts Organization World Championships in Ireland.
Shawn Davidson presented the Team Award to the 1973-1977 Stayner Siskins team and the builder award to his late father-in-law William Paul “Siv” Carruthers, the first general manager with the Siskins when they formed in 1972, and later coach.
“A brief summary of his championship calibre is two provincial championships, six provincial finals appearances and 11 league titles as a coach and general manager. Exceptional. But I don’t believe the titles really mattered to Sivy. He was a fierce competitor who always wanted to win but it was his relationships that mattered the most,” said Davidson… “He loved the sport of hockey and he would be so honoured and so humbled by the accolades that have come in since his death 2010. The Siskins honouring him with the Siv patch, the Alliston Hornets bringing the Schmaltz Cup to be displayed at his funeral, the league renaming the division after him, the Coach of the Year award named after him and now this honour in his hometown.”
Siskinʼ Junior D team from the 70s, the only teams to win the provincial championship twice. Davidson recapped four provincial finals appearances in five seasons with two championships.
“What an incredible time that must have been for the fans. Having just experienced another long playoff run for the Schmaltz Cup with the current Siskins, to do it four years in a row, wow. The old barn on Mill Street must have been rocking,” said Davidson.
SCI basketball coach Tony denBok was presented the community volunteer award. He was nominated by Clayton Culham, who said the school’s basketball program would have folded a long time ago without denBok, who coaches the junior and senior teams.
Frieda Linke was recognized for her contribution to the arts scene and the development of the Stayner art gallery.
Gathering of the Classics, now in its 30th year, was nominated by event committee member and Clearview Public Library employee Michele McKenzie. Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation president Mike Mazereeuw and long-term members Robert and Judy Lesica, along with McKenzie, accepted the award.
Award plaques will be displayed at the Hall of Fame at the Stayner Community Centre once the library addition is complete.
