Citizens honoured for contributions to sport, community
Culture and Sports Hall of Fame inductees for 2024 gathered at the Stayner Community Centre for an awards ceremony and dinner on June 11.
Young Leader in Sport – Benjamin Martin
Nominating Ben Martin was an easy choice for Trevor Harris, he said, but presenting it was not. The award was presented posthumously, with Martin’s father and sister accepting on his behalf. At the young age of 20, Martin died in January following a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a brain aneurysm.
A coach and former player for New Lowell and Everett, Martin was involved in many sports and activities.
“His pride and devotion towards Clearview Township, and sport as a whole was exemplary while being a positive role model,” said Harris, concluding with, “His dedication and leadership to the team concept and his teammates was admirable.”
Builder Award – Janice and Julie Bingham
Sisters Janice and Julie Bigham are recognized as builders for their tremendous contributions to slo-pitch baseball, broomball, synchronized skating and figure skating communities in Clearview and surrounding area.
“The contributions of these two incredible women have often been under recognized despite their significant and longstanding roles in the sporting community,” said nominator Edina Van Staveren.
Both started with the Creemore Skating Club at a very young age and went on to be instrumental in the club.
Janice is currently the sole coach teaching all levels, is the director of the Stayner Skating Club carnival, is the coach’s rep on the executive of the Stayner Skating Club and coaches at Honeywood Skating Club, running PreCanSkate and CanSkate sessions.
Julie, a Skate Canada approved judge, has taken on several roles including test chairperson, competition chairperson and has been the president for the last 10 years. She is also a program assistant in Creemore, Stayner and Honeywood, and assistant coach.
They helped to establish the Country Blades Adult Synchronized Skating Team where Janice served as coach and Julie served as team manager.
“I cannot help but reflect on all the efforts that these two women have put into local, organized sport in our area for the past 20 years while at the same time running a successful family business,” said Van Staveren. “Their dedication, love of sport and willingness to take on multiple volunteer roles is exemplary and the organizations that they have belonged to are richer for their contributions.”
Artistic Achievement Award – Helen Blackburn
Blackburn, a lifelong local resident, was nominated for cultural and civic achievement as the chronicler of
Clearview’s history. She is the author of local history books Has the Bell Rung Yet? ; Night Train to Creemore 1872- 1901; and The Bridges of Creemore Mills 1832-1871. She continues to write a monthly column for The Creemore Echo.
“Helen writes vividly of her own past…”, said nominator Suzanne Wesetvik. “Her warm character, and sharp and curious mind, are reflected in her writings’ charm and humour, and her early eye for detail and reference to other writers’ works. Helen helps bring the past to life for us all, reminding us of where we have been and what we have lost, and what is important to remember and maintain.”
Builder Award – Frank Bednarek
Bednarek was instrumental in bringing soccer to New Lowell. With Henry Verstraten, he started the Barrie Soccer Association in 1972. He started the New Lowell Minor Soccer Association in 1988 with three teams that played in the Newmarket region. Under Bednarek’s leadership the association grew to more than 120 players. He was the first president of the association and held the position for 20 years.
Bednarek was a FIFA referee, working nationally and internationally. He is credited with developing many referees and coaches.
Athletic Achievement Award – Bob Lowe
Lowe played 12 years of minor hockey in Stayner followed by three years with the Siskins before moving on to a 22-year career coaching and officiating. He lost his left eye to cancer in 2007. Then a few years later a piece of metal pierced his right eye in a workplace accident leaving him completely blind.
Six years ago Lowe joined the Ice Owls, a blind hockey organization based in Agincourt. To be eligible, players must have 10 per cent vision or less. The group has about 40 members, and Lowe says on any given Sunday from October through March, about 20 people turn out to play from as far away as Windsor, Peterborough, Ottawa and Sudbury.
Community Volunteer Award – Todd Patton
Patton was nominated by Trevor Harris for developing a Select team for New Lowell Minor Baseball Association (NLMBA) and being a key contributor to the changing look of the organization.
“He represented the community in a positive manner through his dedication, respect for others, teaching the players both baseball and social skills while employing professionalism,” said Harris. Through “tireless efforts, he brought coaches, manager and players together as a cohesive team, resulting in his Select team being awarded the York Simcoe Baseball Association Select (YSBA) Team of the Year award. Spearheading the coordination, taking on the role of convenor, NLMBA hosted the YSBA qualifier for U11 Select that consisted of 13 teams, which had great success.”
Community Volunteer Award – Michelle and Gord Hussey
The Husseys are recognized for being reliable volunteers with the Stayner Garden Club. President Anne Ripley wrote in her nomination that Gord and Michelle wear many hats in Clearview Township. They help with the plant sale, Tulip Days, participate in parades and assist with weekly town garden clean ups.
“They are always very pleasant to work with and once you let them know what you want they are there and will get the job done in no time at all,” said Ripley.
Festival & Event Award – 8th Annual Clearview Tulip Days Festival
The eighth Annual Clearview Tulip Days Festival was held in Stayner on May 16, 2024 celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Airforce and the role that Canadian soldiers played in the liberation of the Netherlands near the end of the Second World War. Clearview Councillor Marty Beelen was emcee for the event. He told the crowd that his father spent most of the war as a prisoner and vowed that if he made it out alive, he would emigrate to Canada. The Tulip Days Festival was presented by the Stayner Garden Club and the Stayner Heritage Society. Stayner Kinsmen hosted a free barbecue lunch and Chris Vanderkruys supplied a traditional dutch treat, Oliebollen.
Team Award – U18 Rep (2023) Clearview Canucks
The U18 Clearview Canucks Rep Hockey Team were recognized for their 2023 win in the Tier 2 Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championship. In the series the Canucks won 4-0 over Middlebrook, tied 2-2 vs East Lambton and then followed with three more wins 4-2 over Brighton Bolts and Tavistock, and 3-2 over Minto Mad Dogs.
The team was made up of captain Tait Lightheart, assistant captains Holden Andrews, Brody Foster, and
Carter Westendorp, goalie Aiden Forte, Luke Lightheart, Sawyer Hughes, Luke Millsap, Seth Walker, Jackson Mitchell, Miles Dempsey, Griffin MacIntyre, Jack Walsh, Evan Longfield, Brady Reynolds and Troy Walker.
The team clinched the championship following an already stellar season winning the U18C Regional Silver Stick Champions, the U18 Huntsville Classic Tournament champions, and the U18 Tier 2, Region 5 Champions, under the leadership of head coach Brian MacIntyre, assistant coaches Pete Walker and Mike Hughes, trainer Martin Walsh, assistant trainer Peter Mitchell, and team manager Fran Moore.
The awards are on display in the atrium of the Stayner Community Centre and Stayner Branch of the Clearview Public Library. For more information about the Culture & Sports Hall of Fame or to view past inductees, please visit www.discoverclearview. ca/hall-of-fame.
Three new Lifetime Contributions to Community Awards were handed out at the Culture and Sports Hall of Fame ceremony held at the Stayner Community Centre on June 11, recognizing individuals who have resided in Clearview Township for a minimum of 10 years and having demonstrated athletic prowess, artistic achievements, establishing youth organizations and outstanding volunteerism. The winners have dedicated their time and passion to make a significant impact.
Charlie McNabb
Charlie McNabb’s legacy is woven into every corner of Clearview Township—from the field and rink to the classroom and council chamber. His lifelong dedication to public service, sports, education, and remembrance has left a lasting imprint on the community. His spirit of generosity, leadership, and civic pride exemplifies the very essence of the Lifetime Contributions to Community Award.
Known affectionately as “Mr. Legion,” McNabb was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, where he held roles as president, zone commander, and deputy commander.
McNabb is credited as the founder of Sunnidale Winterama, and was instrumental in organizing and coaching local teams, such as the New Lowell Men’s Fastball and the New Lowell Merchants Men’s Hockey teams. His influence extended across regional baseball leagues, where he also served as an umpire in both the North Dufferin and South Simcoe Baseball Leagues.
John Squire
“John Squire exemplifies the very essence of community service. His lifetime of contributions, leadership, and generosity are truly inspiring and deserving of the Lifetime Contributions to Community Award,” said his son, Jason Squire.
An accountant by profession, Squire served as treasurer for many organizations over decades of volunteer service. He has been a volunteer with the Optimists, Scouts, Centennial United Church, Clearview Stayner Food Bank, and is a dedicated blood donor, giving 110 times.
Since 1985, John has been an active and devoted member of the Stayner Lions, and is the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship, a life member of Lions International, and a Guardian of Camp Huronda.
Robert ‘Moose’ Walker
Robert Walker, who was given the nickname Moose, during his days playing with Stayner Minor Hockey, has contributed to the community through coaching, umpiring, a member of the Stayner Granite Club and Stayner Lions Club, a founding member of Clearview Community Theatre, co-founder of the Clearview Youth Centre, volunteer firefighter, in addition to being on municipal council for 34 years.
“You ask anyone who Robert “Moose” Waker is and they will tell you that Moose is an active member of the community who is not afraid to make a footprint in the lives of people around him,” said his daughter Lori Walker Curl. “A man who is willing to do a lot, not only for his family, but for anyone who lives in the community – a community which he loves, respects and holds dear to his heart.”
The awards are on display in the atrium of the Stayner Community Centre and Stayner Branch of the Clearview Public Library. For more information about the Culture & Sports Hall of Fame or to view past inductees, please visit www.discoverclearview.ca/hall-of-fame.
Clearview Township photo/Conor Loftus
