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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-06-23, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016. Sports McKague earns silver at provincial track and field Justin McKague was the lone ambassador for F.E. Madill Secondary School at the 2016 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) and earned a silver -medal at the provincial competition for the second time in his high school career. The event was held at the University of Windsor June 2-4. McKague has qualified to compete at the provincial high school championship for five consecutive years, a feat that few high school athletes have accomplished. A seasoned competitor in the high jump in his five years at Madill, he was able to focus well and calmly cleared each of the first three heights without any misses. He narrowly missed 1.95 -metres Up and over Not many athletes can claim to have medaled twice at the Ontario Federation of School Athletics Association (OFSAA) track and field competitions, however Justin McKague of F.E. Madill Secondary School can. McKague, the lone member of the Madill track and field team to go to the event, earned his second career silver medal at the finals held earlier this month. Previously, McKague had come in second during his Grade 9 year, five years ago. (Photo submitted) Letters to the Editor and won an OFSAA silver medal in an unusual three-way tie for second place. In his junior year of competition, McKague also won a silver medal in OFSAA high jump. It was a fitting finale to his successful high school track and field career. McKague graduates later this month from Madill. To earn his berth at the OFSAA championships, McKague cleared the high jump bar at 1.90 metres to earn third place and qualification at the OFSAA West Regional competition. Prior to that, McKague led the Senior Boys individual championship at the Huron -Perth competition with wins in the high jump, triple jump and long jump, which earned him his spot at the Western Ontario Secondary School Athletics Association (WOSSAA). McKague and his fellow students are now preparing for the annual Legion District 'C' Legion Meet to be held June 25 in Kincardine. Knights to play Otters in Clinton Continued from page 1 Scrimgeour said, will give plenty of Huron County children a close-up look at some of the future stars of the NHL. While plans have yet to be finalized, Scrimgeour has high hopes for somewhat of a fan festival to coincide with the game that will include a number of activities throughout Clinton, including a barbecue and perhaps an opportunity for people to meet some of the players. Scrimgeour has already worked ahead in partnering with a number of local businesses, including Part II Bistro and Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company, among others to make the event a truly regional success. He has also received word that the Knights plan on bringing the Memorial Cup to Clinton, which will be a great opportunity in itself afforded to just one team every year. Starr says that hosting an exhibition game outside of the greater London area every year is essential to what the Knights do and the team's efforts to connect with their fans, no matter where they happen to be. Drinkwater agreed, saying the game has historically given the Knights the chance to work with many of the minor hockey associations around southwestern Ontario and reach out to Knights fans who may not otherwise be able to travel for an OHL game. The game is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Central Huron Community Complex. Locally, tickets to the game will be on sale through the Blyth Festival box office and through Scrimgeour's Food Market. While a location has yet to be finalized, tickets will also eventually be on sale in Clinton as well. Tickets to the game will cost $15 each. Scrimgeour said he plans to have tickets on sale at the store by the end of the week. The Knights will also be selling some tickets through their outlets for fans in the London area. Outstanding coach passes away The late Ron Mason may have become famous for being a hockey player and coach away from Blyth, but that's where it all started. Mason was born January 14, 1940 and lived in Blyth before starting a hockey career that would see him earn accolades both as a player and a coach before passing away on June 13 in Michigan. The son of salesman Harvey Mason and elementary school teacher Agnes Mason had one sister, Marion Mason Rowe. The family also ran the Blyth Inn. He wed Marion Bell on June 8, 1963 and had two daughters, Tracy and Cindy, as well as two grandsons, Tyler and Travis. Mason played for the Ontario Hockey Association's Peterborough Fetes and the Ottawa Junior Canadians until he enrolled at St. Lawrence University in New York, where he played. He was part of some significant achievements at the school including being part of the first-ever Eastern College Athletic Conference championship team from the school and making the NCAA Frozen Four. He also earned Brussels meeting concerns Councillor Blaney An open letter to my community of Brussels, It was with some interest that I accidentally discovered last Wednesday about a meeting to be held in Brussels on the next day. This meeting was apparently called by a Brussels ex -councillor and featured the mayor of Huron East, or so I am informed. I have to rely on reports from some of those who did attend, as neither the mayor nor the organizer had the manners to inform, let alone invite, any of the four councillors from Grey and Brussels. If the reports about the comments at the meeting are substantiated it is fairly easy to make some assumptions about the reasons for the omission. With no municipal official attending who would know the current facts and figures and the reality of Brussels. It was easier to leave attendees with the impression that all was `going to hell in a handcart'. Bitch and gripe sessions are better, I guess, if one does not allow ugly facts to spoil the fun. I will only comment on one aspect of the discussions to ensure that readers have a clear understanding of an issue the organizer has repeatedly and loudly complained about — property standards. Property standard violations are complaint - driven in Huron East. This is partly because of the nature of the law, partly because of the cost of having a full-time bylaw enforcement officer, and partly because the residents of Huron East don't want the bylaw officer or their councillors to start acting as the `property politzie', peering into their backyards and measuring the height of their grass. If someone is so incensed about a property issue I would suggest they file a complaint like everyone else, rather than attempting to get others to complain about their neighbours. Relentless negativity does Brussels no good whatsoever. We have people and organizations that work hard to improve their community. They beautify the downtown with flowers and ornamental lighting, they contribute to the library renovations, they run cruise nights and contribute proceeds to the community centre, they spend time and energy organizing and running a farmers' market, music festivals and all the minor sports in the community. The Lions, Leos and Optimists raise thousands of dollars, which they put back into needed community projects. The churches run Soup and More 2 and the 5Rs does its part too. Loud and relentless negativity helps none of these organizations and simply leaves the contributors to community spirit to wonder why they bother. Perhaps, if the mayor's participation in a meeting which was described to me by one attendee as a `trash the town staff' exercise has not Writer requests help THE EDITOR, To the people of Blyth, we need your help. Our eyesight is failing. We love to walk, use our walkers or scooters. As there is no crosswalk we need your assistance when we have to cross County Road 4. A welcome arm or a reassuring voice is very much appreciated. Thanks for the past, present and future help. Pat Hunking. poisoned the atmosphere, the upcoming strategic planning exercise for recreation can allow for a rational, informed and complete examination of what plans we need to make for the future. Brussels is our town and we can tear it down or build it up! David Blaney Councillor, Brussels Ward Municipality of Huron East back-to-back first -team all -league honours, being the only player to do so until 2006. From there, Mason went on to be a coach, heading Lake Superior State and then moving on to two NCAA teams: Bowling Green State and Michigan State for 36 seasons until 2002. Over his 36 seasons as a coach, Mason earned 924 wins, the most for a college coach until Boston College's Jerry York surpassed the milestone in late December, 2012. The record, along with the fact that 33 of his 36 seasons were winning seasons and, in 30 of those, he led the team to 20 or more wins, earned Mason several accolades including the Spencer Penrose Memorial Trophy as the national coach of the year in 1992. After coaching for Michigan State University, Mason advanced to the position of athletic director in 2002. Motorcycle Jackets Bainton's Old Mill Downtown Blyth 519-523-4740 NORTH HURON COMMUNITY FOOD SHARE Invites you to their ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, June 29 at 7 pm, At the North Huron Community Food Share Building, Located at 405-D Josephine St., Wingham AGENDA - recap of the last year's events - projects going forward - nominating and voting in new executive Contact us at: nhfoodshare.ca 519-357-2277 ext. 4