Raffle helps Jack Miner Bird Foundation

By Mark Ribble

KINGSVILLE — When local artist Elaine Guitar Van Loo took a stroll through Kennedy Woods earlier this year, she envisioned doing a painting of the woods and wanted to provide it to the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation to raffle off.

“I wanted to give back and say thank you,” said Elaine.

After learning that the Foundation is dependent upon donations and does not receive any government funding, she was even further motivated to do something for the Sanctuary.

Elaine embarked on an effort to paint along the trail inside Kennedy Woods and some 75 to 100 hours later, produced a beautiful 30 x 40 oil painting entitled “A Road Less Traveled.”

“I started with a preliminary sketch using charcoal,” she said. “Then offsite I was able to produce the oil painting.”

The painting was put up for raffle over this past summer with the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation spearheading the ticket sales.

Those ticket sales culminated in 626 tickets being sold at $5 each or five for $20, with the draw scheduled for Monday, October 18 after the Migration Festival. That’s where Judy Adams comes in.

Judy Adams, second from right, accepts her painting from artists Layne Van Loo, left, Elaine Guitar Van Loo and Jack Miner Foundation Executive Director, Amanda Everaert, at the Jack Miner House on Friday, Oct. 22.

SUN photo

Judy attended the Great Migration Paint Out on Sunday at the Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre during the annual Migration Festival.

When she went to purchase a raffle ticket, she offered the $20 but was told there were only four tickets remaining. She decided to purchase the four anyway.

A few moments later, the ticket seller approached her with her fifth ticket, which she promptly declared the ‘lucky ticket.’ And so it was. “I couldn’t believe it,” said Judy. “This is the first time I’ve won anything.”

Judy was on hand on Friday, October 22 to receive her prize from Elaine and Jack Miner Foundation Executive Director, Amanda Everaert. The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation was established in 1931 in the United States and in 1936 in Canada to continue the legacy of Jack Miner. The foundation is a charitable organization that operates solely through the generosity of private and corporate donations. The board of directors and staff are responsible for the ongoing operations of the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

The sanctuary grounds and Kennedy Woods trails are open year-round, from sunrise to sunset.

Santa is coming

The Foundation’s next event, Country Christmas, is coming up on December 3, 4 and 5.

On Friday, December 3, Santa will be at the Jack Miner House for photos from 5 pm until 8 pm.

Country Christmas continues on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5 from 1 pm to 8 pm with Santa’s workshop (kids’ crafts), cocoa/ cider and a bonfire.

Saturday afternoon, December 4, there will be a snowmobile show on the grounds.

The weekend kicks off the Jack Miner lights, which will be on daily from 6 pm until midnight through New Year’s Day.