24 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Southern Footprints draws 335 participants By Mark Ribble POINT PELEE — The 13th annual Southern Footprints community run returned to the trails of Point Pelee National Park on Sunday, April 24, drawing 335 participants. The sun was shining and the warm temperatures allowed for a large turnout of runners, walkers, spectators and mascots. Yes, the annual mascot race was held again with no less than 13 area mascots taking part in the annual fun dash. Crime Stoppers, who organized the mascot race, had them well-prepped for the festivities as they took the time to interact with many of the youngsters present. When the dust settled on the race, the Windsor Warlocks Dragon mascot left the start line quickly
and was never challenged, winning in convincing fashion. The Holy Names Knight finished second, with the Giant Tiger mascot taking bronze. Other participants included Sparky the Fire Dog, Geoffrey the Toys R Us Giraffe, Special Olympics Polar Bear, Snoil from LDSS, Griff from St. Clair College, Stewie The Tomato, Sunny from the Southpoint Sun, Elmer the Safety Elephant, Essex Windsor EMS mascot Siren and the giant shoe from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Once the mascots were put away, the racing began with the 1k kids fun event. About 50 youngsters took part in the race and each got a medal and snacks after they finished, with the crowd eagerly
cheering them to the finish line. When the adults took to the course — which began at the Visitor Centre, turned south on the roadway toward the tip and came back around to the Visitor Centre via the woodland trails — it took about 16 minutes to see the first finisher. The 5k race winner — Matt Lafleur from the St. Clair College track team — cruised through the course with the greatest of ease, besting the field by a wide margin. Lafleur was joined on the podium by Meg Mooney, who was the top female finisher in the 5k event. The 5k race was sponsored by Leamington Chrysler. The 10k event was also no contest when it came to speed as St. Clair’s Tyler Jones bested the field on the circuit that was sponsored by Pure Flavor. Addison Pollard joined him for the cermony as the top female finisher in the event. The 15k event was won by Ricky Nepomuceno, also of St. Clair College, who completed the trifecta for his school by cruising through the circuit three times to finish on Participants in the 5k, 10k and 15k run leave the start line.
top. Eva Breault took the female award as the top 15k finisher in that category. Race organizer Dave Campbell was thrilled with the turnout and the excitement showed by everyone in attendance. “It’s so good to be out here again,” he said. “Welcome everyone, and I hope you enjoy yourselves.” Campbell said that there
were 377 participants signed up ahead of the big day, but there were a few no-shows. He was still thrilled with the turnout. “We’re happy to be able to offer this again after two years of missing it,” he said. Emcee David Orshinsky led the runners through their paces, with encouraging words and precise instructions as the event
went off without a hitch. The weather couldn’t have been better, with Campbell commenting that they would have normally been there the week before if not for the Easter weekend. “That would have been a cold one,” he said. Campbell said they are aiming to donate $3,500 to Crime Stoppers from the proceeds this year.
Community Calendar
THURSDAY, APRIL 28 WE ARE BACK! THE ONTARIO PURPLE MARTIN ASSOC. will have its first meeting on Saturday, April 23 at 9:00 a.m. at Orchard View Golf Course, 1357 Cty. Rd. 34, Ruthven. ALL welcome. Masks optional. More info: Paul 519-738-3476. THURSDAY, APRIL 28 COFFEE HOUSE WITH JOE PERRY - 6:30 - 8:30 Musicians, singers, poets, story tellers and all are welcome for a fun free evening with friends. Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd. N. Free admission.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28 SENIOR EXPO - 9:00 am to noon, Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd. N. Over 40 exhibitors for health, lifestyle and active living. Free Admission First 50 visitors get a goodie bag. TUESDAY, MAY 3 KINGSVILLE HOMES THAT TELL THE BEST STORIES with Veronica Brown, 11:00 am, free admission, in-person and live streamed on Youtube. Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd. N. TUESDAY, MAY 10 ONCE UPON A TIME GENERAL STORE & SCHOOL HOUSE with Lisa Wacheski, Curator, Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village, 11:00 am, Journey back to 1840 Olinda General Store & 1907 Gosfield South One-Room School House. Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd. N. TUESDAY, MAY 10 ESSEX COUNTY, ONTARIO ANCESTORS VIRTUAL PRESENTATION - Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00 pm. Speaker: Dr. Laura J. Smith.Topic: Early Irish in Immigrants in Essex County. Free and open to everyone. Visit https://essex.ogs.on.ca for Zoom link to register. ONGOING COMMUNITY ANGEL CLOTHING CUPBOARD OPEN WEDNESDAYS by appointment only, 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Call 519-326-3111 to book your appointment. All are welcome! Free! St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington. Donated gently used clothing for men, women and children of all ages. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE CAFE Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am to noon. Free
Coffee, Free Cookies & Free Wifi. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE TAICHI - Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 am - Free drop-in program. Join us for gentle flowing stretching and movements. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE YARN SOCIAL - Tuesdays 10:00 am, Free drop-in program. Bring your knitting or crochet project, share patterns and more. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. JOIN THE KINGSVILLE FRIENDLY CLUB TO PLAY CARDS every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, 12:45 p.m., at the Unico Community Centre, 33 Beech St., Kingsville. Tuesday is euchre, bridge, cribbage. Friday is euchre, bridge, pepper. Must be 50+ years of age to join. If interested, drop in any Tuesday or Friday. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE GUITAR WELLNESS - Thursdays 4:00 pm, Free drop-in program. Group guitar lessons to enhance physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville.
IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234. MELO CLINIC & PREGNANCY CENTRE, 75 Erie Street South, Unit 103, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses. Pregnancy tests, STI testing & treatment. Call 24/7 for confidential support 519-326-0612. Business calls 519-326-3821. www.pregnancycentre.net. MUSICIANS AND SINGERS WANTED at the Leamington Half Century Club to join in the weekly singalong every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Drop in if interested (160 Talbot St. E.). Call 519-326-2521 for more info. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www. alanonwindsoressex.com T.O.P.S. - Take Off Pounds Sensibly - Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at the Leamington Half Century Centre, 160 Talbot St. E. Weigh-in from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Meeting 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. First meeting is free. For more inforamtoin call Joan at 519-3262388. Everyone welcome.
COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Food is available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish 226-340-7233, Salvation Army Food Bank, The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 14-24), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St. John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome. ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Next meetings are April 27, May 11 and May 25. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@ yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores.toastmastersclubs.org and click on Contact Us. STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH? Reach out to Hope 4 Me Peer to Peer Support Group. Virtual and in-person meetings available. Contact Tracy, Sue or Nancy at hope4mepeer@gmail.com for information about the group. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE WELLNESS COUNSELLING By appointment 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville. Register: kim@ kingsvillecentre.com or 226-773-5830. RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesn’t pay for or to help with unexpected expenses for cancer patients (e.g. hospital parking etc). If you, your group or organization would like to have a speaker explain the fund and its availability in this area, call 519682-2580. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE MILK BAG CREATIONS - Tuesdays 9:00 am to noon, Free drop-in program Help turn cleaned milk bags into woven mats and more for those in need. 1860 Division Rd. N. Kingsville PLAY ROTARY TV BINGO GAMES - Tuesday nights, live on TVCOGECO from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Can only be viewed in Chatham-Kent viewing areas. Support the community and purchase your cards from Adamson Guardian Drugs, Wheatley. Pick up your cards early! Play 5 different games on 3 faces in 1 hour. $3 for 15 ways to win and $2000 in prizes.
In the top photo, the mascots line up for the annual mascot race, which was won by the Windsor Warlocks Dragon. Next are the 5k winners, Meg Mooney, left and Matt Lafleur flanking organizer David Campbell. Below that are the 10k winners, with Addison Pollard on the left, followed by race volunteer Denise Gaffan, Pure Flavor rep Lindsay Gammon and Tyler Jones, who bested the field on the 10k course. In the bottom photo are 15k winners Ricky Nepomuceno, left, and Eva Breault, right, while Jenn Johns from the race committee is in the middle. SUN photos
