HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-01-07, Page 23When it comes to Blyth’s JaniceHenry, the Legion LadiesAuxiliary’s prestigious MeritoriousService Award runs in the family.
Surprised by her fellow comrades
on Monday night, Henry was
awarded one of Canada’s highest
awards for a member of the Ladies
Auxiliary: The Meritorious Service
Award.
And while Henry was certainly
surprised to hear that she had
garnered such support for this
“unattainable” award, she is no
stranger to what it takes to receive it.
Both Henry’s mother and sister have
received the award.
The award, which requires months
of planning, is not received very
often, despite how it may appear
with Henry and her family. Henry
says her service to the community
simply comes from the way she was
raised.
Henry’s family was present for the
special ceremony at the Blyth
Legion Monday night.
Henry’s husband, sister and
children were all in attendance,
including her brother, who came
from Florida, leaving his vacation
early to attend the special
celebration in honour of his sister.
Members of the Blyth Ladies
Auxiliary read to Henry from a
collection of recommendation letters
from various community groups
including the Blyth Festival, Trinity
Anglican Church and members of
the Ladies Auxiliary.
In addition to her ongoing work in
the community, Henry’s past
accomplishments were listed,
including her knack for starting
traditions, several of which are still
carried on throughout the
community, including the Grade 7
students catering the Grade 8
graduation dinner at Blyth PublicSchool, a tradition that will bemissed with the school’s eventualclosing.Speaking afterwards, Henry saidshe was completely surprised. Knowing what her mother and
sister did to earn the honour of the
Meritorious Service Award, Henry
said that while she had spent
decades working for the community
of Blyth, she felt the award was “out
of reach.”
“It’s something you don’t ever
dream of getting,” she said. “It never
even crossed my mind. I have my
life membership, which is an honour
on its own.”
Henry said she feels even more
pride because of when she won the
award. The award, she said, is often
given to members too late in life for
them to enjoy the recognition it
affords them.
Henry missed her mother’s
ceremony, but was there for her
sister’s and said she couldn’t have
been more proud of her.
“My mother had just passed away
when my sister won the award, but
she knew about it and she was so
proud,” she said. “If my parents
were here, I know they would have
been so proud that we’ve continued
on with their work.”
Henry says her mother worked
tirelessly with the Legion, helping
out her husband, who was poppy
chairman, as well as in her own
position in the Ladies Auxiliary.
Over the years, she worked with
challenged children and Henry said
she learned that service to her
community and her fellow citizens
was just a part of life in her family.
“We learned early on that we were
no better and no lesser than
everyone else,” she said.
She says that while there have
been times of frustration throughout
her life and all of her services, she
has never considered quitting.
“Everyone has had tough days and
everyone has thought about
quitting,” she said. “I’m challenged
though and if there’s an idea out
there, I’ll take it on.”
This has been on display with therest of the Ladies Auxiliary in recentmonths with her participation indarts competitions throughout theorganization.Several people spoke of this atHenry’s ceremony, her recent
undertaking of darts.
While no one knew she could play
the game, before they knew it, she
and the rest of the Auxiliary were
competing throughout the province,
showing that all Henry has to do is
put her mind to something in order
to make it a reality.
She says that her work with the
Ladies Auxiliary has been tough at
times and there has been a time
commitment, but that everyone
involved has always understood and
encouraged her to fulfill those
commitments.
“There have been family functions
that I have had to miss because of
my commitments, but I’m not a
person who will walk away from a
commitment,” she said. “My family
has always understood and
encouraged me to do the things I
do.”
She said that her husband has
always encouraged her and never
told her that she shouldn’t go to
something.
“It was the same with my mother,”
she said. “We loved what she did,
but we were glad to have her back
when she was finished.”
The value of family and
involvement with the Blyth Legion
is not lost on Henry’s family, as both
of her sons are now members. This
makes Henry extremely proud, but
she also knows that her work in
Blyth is far from finished, with
significant repairs needed at the
Legion Hall as well as ongoing
membership concerns.
“I’m really pleased to see that my
children recognize the value in the
Legion. Even my grandchildren
come and help out at some events,”
she said.
“But I’ve never looked at my
membership as an achievement; I’ve
just always been proud to be a
member.”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010. PAGE 23.
Staff of the Blyth Festival attended
the Jan. 4 meeting of North Huron
council to give their annual report.
The good news was that despite a
difficult economic climate that
affected attendance the 2009 season
left the Festival with a $69,000
surplus.
“We think that is quite an
accomplishment,” said general
manager Deb Sholdice.
Sholdice thanked council for on-
going support before stating that the
35th season had been one of ups and
downs, “in much the same way it has
experienced over its long history.”
While the 2008 season’s runaway
success had wiped out the
accumulated deficit, Sholdice said
they recognized early that this was
not going to be repeated. As the
theatre would not be immune to the
economic downturn, she said, the
budget was set conservatively, and
as a result the season did come in
under budget.
She credited the production staff
for their resourcefulness in tight
times. “They were very forward
thinking,” said Sholdice.
She explained the work that was
planned now that the Festival had
received a Trillium grant and
highlighted the plays planned for the
2010 season.
Sholdice finished her comments
by announcing that long-time
Festival employee, marketing and
development director Karen Stewart
is leaving this month. “But be
assured she has put a comprehensive
template in place for her
replacement. She has taught us well
and we are confident we can move
ahead in the future.”
Stewart then spoke on the
marketing strategies of the past
season and for the year ahead. She
explained that 27 per cent of those
attending the Festival had been local
while 55.5 per cent had travelled
between 40 minutes and two hours
to attend. A total of 17.5 per cent
were outside the two-hour limit.
Only 20 per cent of the new
attendees were local with the
greatest number in the 40 minute to
two-hour drive category.
“The erosion of our local audience
is cause for significant concerns,”
said Stewart, adding that steps to
address this are being addressed at
this time, both through marketing
and outreach.
Council was asked to approve the
final installment of the three-
year plan with the Festival in the
amount of $20,000, which was done
by motion following the
presentation.
Reeve Neil Vincent, on council’s
behalf, thanked the women for their
dedication and work towards Blyth
Festival.
“It has been noticed.”
A top honour
Janice Henry of the Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary was
honoured on Monday night with one of the organization’s
highest honours: The Meritorious Service Award. Henry
was surprised by her fellow comrades and spent the night
hearing from friends, family and community organizations
as to why she deserved to receive this prestigious award.
The award, which requires a great amount of service to
even garner a consideration, runs in Henry’s family, as her
mother and her sister have both been recipients in the
past. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Festival ends year with surplus
Woman continues family’s award-winning tradition
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Tickets on sale at
Blyth Festival Office, Blyth Legion,
Ernie King Music
(Goderich & Wingham)
Credit Card Orders: 1-800-465-7829
www.tommyhunter.com
www.rocklandsentertainment.com
SAT. JANUARY 23/10 - 2PM
BLYTH MEMORIAL HALL
www.littlebowl.ca 524-BOWL (2695)
WE INVITE
YOU, YOUR
FAMILY & FRIENDS
to help us
celebrate the 1st...
WEEK #2, JAN. 8-14...
WARM UP
TO WINTER
with Food & Drink Specials!
204 Huron Road, Goderich
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen