4 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Community Living time capsule captures 60 years of memories By Mark Ribble ESSEX COUNTY — Over the 60 years that Community Living Essex County (CLEC) has been operating, the name of the agency has changed three times to better reflect what it is they do. During that 60 years, they’ve managed to positively affect the lives of thousands of clients and
families across Essex County. From humble beginnings in 1961, the organization has come a long way and on Wednesday, August 18, were able to put together a time capsule which captured the essence of the agency over those 60 years. The time capsule was buried at the agency’s
location on Talbot Street in Essex with a crowd of about 30 people on hand to witness the feat. President of the CLEC Board of Directors, Sue Desjarlais, pointed out that it’s more than a celebration of the past. “We’re celebrating 60 years,” she said. “But also for our children, future employees, volunteers and the people we serve into the future.” Desjarlais said that in 40 years when CLEC turns 100, many of those in attendance won’t be around, but those that are will be witness to the opening of the time capsule.
“We are inspiring a whole new generation,” she said. The organization supports over 650 people of all ages with an intellectual disability and those supports include supported living, community participation, employment support, family support and special services at home. The majority of their funding comes from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, although they get additional funding through donations and a variety of fundraisers.
Those fundraisers include the annual Jingle Bell Run, the Ruthven Apple Festival, the annual golf tournament and this year, their 60 for 60 raffle which is running currently. One of the organizations clients, Ray Renaud, who is involved in the New Day Leaders of Today program, also spoke and thanked the agency for its work over the years. Karen Bolger, Executive Director of CLEC, took the podium to explain the kind of things that were going into the capsule, such as old dinner-dance tickets, flyers, lapel pins, certificates, medals, rib-
bons and even a candle. Also included were items from each of the four areas of the county that CLEC serves. The Leamington-area items were beach glass collected on the shores of Lake Erie. “Each community we serve is represented with something,” said Bolger. With that, the capsule was loaded up by CLEC’s Amanda Mastronardi and Derek Roy and lowered into the four-footby-four-foot hole, before Desjarlais, Mastronardi, Bolger and Renaud converged with shovels to ceremoniously begin the burial process.
Derek Roy and Amanda Mastronardi lower the time capsule into the ground during the ceremony. SUN photo
UP OR DELIVERY CK PI R FO E BL LA AI AV U FULL MEN ORDER ONLINE FOR PICK UP OR DELIVERY AT
CRAVELEAMINGTON.CA
26 ERIE ST N, LEAMINGTON Or Call
Amanda Mastronardi and Ray Renaud, left, shovel the dirt in along with Sue Dejarlais and Karen Bolger, right. SUN photo
PATIO N OW O PE N
519-322-0032
now ACCePting grAnt APPLiCAtionS
artNEWS Leamington Arts Centre - 519.326.2711 - leamingtonartscentre.com
An Affiliate of Pinnacle Physiotherapy
HONEY FAMILY FOUNDATION & WECF Grant
OPEN DURING ALL STAGES OF THE PANDEMIC
With much appreciation, the LAC was awarded funds to help the organization continue its mission to create, sustain and celebrate the arts in our region.
CATHERINE TREMBLAY
R.PT CAFCI Registered Physiotherapist
$200,000+ AvAiLABLe to grAnt in FALL 2021
registered Charities in Chatham-Kent
APPLY BY SePtemBer 30th 2021 at www.chathamkentcommunityfoundation.ca
JANINE GAUDREAU
R.PT Registered Physiotherapist
Safety measures to protect you in our brand new facility... Air Exchange System • Extensive Sanitization Mandatory Masks • Patient Screening
221 Talbot St. West Unit B, Leamington (in front of The Portuguese Club)
To Book An Appointment call 519.324.9233 or go to renewphysiotherapy.ca
ART SUPPLY SHOP - NOW ONLINE! Your local art supply shop is now OPEN 24/7 online! Browse and shop from home or on your mobile. Visit shop.leamingtonartscentre.com today!
onVIEW ARTS @ THE MARINA: inside the gallery This “vendor” style exhibit features 15 exhibitor store fronts. Admission is FREE! Wed - Fri 9-5, Sat & Sun 10-4. BELIEVE: Tim Roelens Large paintings from only $75-$100. On until Sept 26.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS WFCU CREDIT UNION: painting competition + exhibit An incredible opportunity for all artists to present their most accomplished works for a chance to win $1,200 in CASH PRIZES. 1st place $500, 2nd $400, 3rd $300. Visit leamingtonartscentre.com for more details and how to enter. Deadline Sun Aug 29 at 4pm.
summerHOURS: Wed - Friday 9-5, Sat + Sun Generous Supporters: Southpoint Sun & the Municipality of Leamington
