Community Living Essex County holds 31st annual Charity Golf Classic

By Ron Giofu

Golfers hit the links last week in support of those with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Community Living Essex County (CLEC) held its 31st annual Charity Golf Classic last Thursday at Sutton Creek Golf Club in McGregor. While the total amount raised has not been finalized as of press time, the proceeds that are raised will benefit CLEC’s summer support programs for children and youth with an intellectual disability

“The weather was great. We had a really good day,” said Tony DeSantis, manager of community relations and resource development with CLEC. “We had 29 teams and 118 golfers.”

As part of the Charity Golf Classic,

By Ron Giofu

An exhibit featuring stained glass is now available for viewing at the Gibson Gallery.

“Ladies of Glass” is on exhibit through Aug. 6 with an opening reception being held last Sunday afternoon. It features the work of J. David Green, who is an Amherstburg resident.

CLEC awards the “Municipal Cup” to the municipality that had the best score. Team Kingsville won it this year with golfers including Mayor Dennis Rogers, Dennis Rogers Sr., CAO John Norton and Will Chisholm. Team Amherstburg won the low mixed team prize with team members including councillors Molly Allaire, Peter Courtney and Linden Crain and manager of licensing and enforcement Bill Tetler.

DeSantis thanked all of the sponsors, noting the amount of sponsorship dollars increased in 2023.

“The volunteers were absolutely awesome,” he added. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

Community Living Essex County executive director Karen Bolger was pleased with how this year’s golf tournament went.

“There’s a little bit here for everyone,” said Green.

The “Ladies of Glass” are a particular feature, though a few of his 13 works on display are of other topics. Green credited his wife Maggi for being an inspiration to him, with Maggi also being a stained glass artist.

When looking for a theme, Green said he focused on strong women.

“I think we had a fantastic turnout,” said Bolger. “Everyone had a great time.”

Bolger said the summer support program provides assistance for not only children and youth with intellectual disabilities, but their families as well. The proceeds from the golf tournament will help offset some of the costs that are incurred in presenting the program.

“It’s really a fun day and we raise money for the people we support,” said Bolger. “We have such a generous group of sponsors as well as the golfers themselves.”

Overall, CLEC supports over 700 people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Many staff members of the organization assisted with the Charity Golf Classic, including the

“I’m looking for strong woman characters and putting them into glass,” said Green. “When the light is bright behind them, it’s like they breathe.”

Green said he and his wife started working in stained glass in 1988. They went to the Glass Bead Factory in St. Jacobs to learn the craft. He said he travelled with his job a lot and promised his wife that he would spend every Wednesday night at the ten-week class with her.

“It’s fascinated me ever since,” he said.

Green said he did more commericaltype work in the beginning before he focused on the “Ladies of Glass.”

Maggi also helps her husband in other ways, he added.

“I’m partially colour blind,” Green explained. “My wife picks out all of the colours.” marketing team, and Bolger issued thanks to them as well as to those who stepped up from the community at large.

Green also said he tries to be unique and add depth to his pieces with overlays of beads, crystals and other materials to add to his works.

“We can’t do this without them,” Bolger added, of the volunteers.

Sutton Creek Golf Club was also thanked for their hospitality and support of the Charity Golf Classic. With a number of employers in the field of golfers this year, CLEC also had the opportunity to discuss the “Career Compass” employment program with them. Employment specialist Tammy Dalgleish encouraged the public to get involved if they have an opportunity to employ a person with an intellectual disability.

For more information on Community Living Essex County or to donate, visit www.communitylivingessex.org or call 519-776-6483.

Noting he has a studio in his Boblo Island home, the Greens have lived in the Cambridge area and in the United States before coming to Amherstburg to retire. They settled on Boblo because of his wife’s love of ships, noting her father was a marine engineer.

“Amherstburg is a wonderful town,” he said.

It was the first time Green has exhibited his work, adding the Gibson Gallery “is perfect for it.”

Syl Gagnon, president of the Fort Malden Guild of Arts and Crafts, said it was the first time in many years that he can recall a stained glass exhibit. The guild is the board that operates the gallery.

“What is unique for us is that it’s a different medium for us,” said Gagnon.

The Gibson Gallery is located at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. Their summer hours are daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For information, call 519-736-2826 or visit www.gibsonartgallery.com.