Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 9
Poppy painting party produces a plethora of painted poppies LEAMINGTON — For the past few weeks, about 15 friends, all tenants of Seacliff Heights II in Leamington, have been painting Remembrance Rocks in the common room there. Tracy Sharron and Karen Demarell spearheaded the idea after Karen saw some painted rocks on a Facebook page. So, the two organized a regular PPP (poppy painting party) in the common room, being careful to adhere to social distancing and room capacity guidelines. “We had 10 at a time come in shifts,” said Tracy. “This way, we could include everyone who wanted to paint.” The group created about 57 painted stones, rocks and pieces of shale of all shapes and sizes. Each one was adorned with a poppy or other patriotic symbol, and some of them were even done in honour of veterans from their families. Demarell, who has experience dealing with crafts and tole painting, was able to produce some patterns and give some guidance and reference to the painters. The result was four colourful baskets full of nicely painted rocks — all commemorating Remembrance Day in some way. They contacted area Legions and donated most of the pieces of art to each of them, while keeping a few to lay on the
steps at the cenotaph in Leamington. “We want to go there and put them on the steps,” said Sharron.
Stock photo of a Salvation Army bell-ringer.
Salvation Army kicks off Kettle Campaign
Tracy Sharron, left and her friend Karen Demarell, display some of the rocks painted during their poppy painting parties. Sun photo
LEAMINGTON-KINGSVILLE — The annual Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign will kick off on Monday, November 16 all across Canada. That will include Kingsville and Leamington, where volunteers will man the kettles at certain locations. “We are taking all precautions due to COVID,” said Kettle Campaign Coordinator for this area, Sarah Parsons. “We have nine different locations ready to go.” The campaign runs until Christmas Eve and Parsons says they are still looking for volunteers to ring the bell. New this year, at three of the locations will be a Tip Tap device to allow you to make a cashless, touchless donation. Those devices will be on the kettles at
Zehrs in Kingsville , as well as Walmart and Real Canadian Superstore in Leamington. Other locations will be cash donation only and they include Food Basics in Leamington, Giant Tiger in Leamington, Freshco in Leamington and Kingsville, and LCBO stores in Leamington and Kingsville. The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign is their primary fundraiser and has been a staple in holiday storefronts for 130 years. All donations collected locally will stay within the community. If you’d like to volunteer as a bell ringer, email sarah.parsons@salvationarmy.ca.
In Memoriam
B
orn in Transcona, Manitoba December 21, 1920, he attended high school in Leamington Ontario from 1934 to 1940, while working seasonally for H.J. Heinz in 1938 and 1939. He enlisted in Windsor in 1940m where he commenced his flight training in May 1941. Upon graduation he was promoted to Sergeant, transported to England, and assigned to the Royal Air Force.
Some of the poppy stones painted by the tenants of Seacliff Heights II in Leamington. Sun photo
Remembrance Day Memorials Families and Friends Remember IN MEMORIAM
MAURICE SNOOK November 5, 1918 – August 24, 2011
Dad, we miss you on this 10th Remembrance Day without you here. We remember one of your favourite prayers: It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the Veteran, who salutes the Flag, It is the Veteran, who serves under the Flag, Eternal rest grant them, and let perpetual light shine upon them. AMEN As always, but especially today, we thank you for the sacrifices made so unselfishly by you and all of our Canadian Veterans many years ago and since. We will never forget your sacrifices and the gifts of freedom that you have given to many abroad and to us here, on Canadian soil. We will always remember, appreciate, and respect these freedoms and those who have made them possible. We love you and we miss you dearly. Mary-Maureen & Jay
I
n the fall of 1942 he joined other Canadians in the RAF’s 81st Squadron in North Africa as a fighter pilot flying Spitfires. He saw considerable combat in the ensuing months. He survived being shot down twice and in February 1943 was awarded the Distinguish Flying Cross. By the fall of Tunis in May 1943 he was an acknowledged “ace” with 5.5 included in his official record.
H
e was returned to Canada where he established himself as a highly regarded flight instructor. However, in the spring of 1944 the Allies were desperate for experienced fighter pilots as air combat intensified in the build-up to the D-Day invasion of Normandy. As a result, F.O. Fenwick was reassigned to the RCAF’s 401st Squadron in Britain. He survived less than a month in his renewed combat role, being shot down for a third and final time on June 21, 1944 – an apparent victim of “friendly fire”. His family was living in Sioux Lookout, Ontario at the time of his death.
F
lying Officer Fenwick was obviously a brave, determined young man who answered the call with dash and vigour. A lot of life was packed into 23 short years. Although we can’t thank him, we can’t forget him, he did his part to make ours one of the world’s great countries.
F I
.O. Fenwick was one of the first to be buried in the Beny Sur Mer Canadian War Cemetery. His gravestone reads: n kind remembrance of one who gave all for his country, you and I and peace.
Flying Officer Harry E. Fenwick DFC
