18 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
This area will miss Larry McDonald By C. Scott Holland WHEATLEY — When it comes to fundraising and community projects, the first name that comes to mind is Larry McDonald, for his contributions to the well-being of Leamington and Wheatley and how they’ve been an inspirational for both towns. Unfortunately, the area lost that guiding light and ability to get fundraising projects going when he passed away last August. His life has been an intricate string of strong involvement in both communities. At the age of 16, Larry began playing minor hockey in Leamington and by 18, he was coaching. At the age of 24, he had quit playing competitive hockey, yet still coached. During his hockey career, McDonald played for the Leamington Flyers and in the former South Essex Hockey League, where he would eventually go on to a coaching role. He also became involved with Oldtimers’ hockey in 1976. However, his role in helping youngster develop their hockey skills did not end there. When the modern Wheatley Jr. C Sharks became an entity in 1995, he got involved and was a strong supporter, helping the team become a notable Jr. C franchise. Larry also served eight years on the Leamington Arena Board – two of those as its chairman – and in 1968, was Recreation Chairman when Wheatley decided to build their own arena and chose its site. He was the Vice-President of the building committee and in charge of special fundraising projects. It was
an amazing project. The arena opened in 1974 and was completely paid off by 1976. His involvement didn’t stop there. He was a member of Wheatley council in 1972 and a year later became the deputy-reeve then reeve before serving on Essex County Council and was named a Kent County warden. In the early 1960s, McDonald worked at the H. J. Heinz Co. in management, but a later opportunity drew him into the insurance business. In 1982, he partnered with Mike Epplett and formed McDonald-Epplett Insurance Brokers (after buying Southland Insurance in Wheatley). They opened Leamington Insurance Brokers in 1986. He was a long-time member of the Wheatley Shriners Club and was a charter President of the Wheatley Jaycees in 1960. Along with his wife Sandy, they created the Wheatley Jaycettes the following year (Sandy served as the club’s charter president). In 1982, he helped organize the Wheatley Old Boys Reunion – a project which spanned two years and duplicated much of the town’s original 1932 Reunion. Larry and Sandy owned the Car Barn Restaurant for 15 years before selling it in 1986. Despite being known for his fundraising spirit and abilities, a countless number of local projects could not have been completed with his enthusiasm. Two of the biggest ones have been raising money for the Kinsmen Complex as well as an incredible number of hours and time raising funds for Leamington District Memorial
McDonald (left) received many awards and accolades in his lifetime. Here, with wife Sandy, he holds one of his many awards in 1999. Photo from the Scott Holland Collection
Hospital (now Erie Shores HealthCare) and a host of charities. His leadership will be certainly missed and this area was blessed to have had a figure like him.
Thank you Chances Gaming Lounge for your continued support in raising funds for the
LEAMINGTON
Leamington Raceway on tap for 13 race dates LEAMINGTON — The Lakeshore Harness Racing Association has been granted 13 racing dates for the 2021 season. The
races will take place at Leamington Raceway on the Leamington Fairgrounds property. The 2020 season was
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Raceway was allowed to have limited fans in person during the last few meets
Do you know your ABCs of diabetes? Editor’s note: This column is part of a monthly submission from the Leamington Area Family Health Team. This week’s topic is diabetes. Today there are 11 million Canadians living with diabetes. One Canadian is newly diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes. Chances are, diabetes affects you or someone you know. If you have diabetes, you are at an increased risk for complications including heart disease, eye and kidney disease, nerve damage, and foot problems. Keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range can help reduce your risk of complications. It is important to learn your diabetes ABCs to know which targets are healthy for you: “A” stands for “A1c” – A1c is a blood test that shows what your average blood sugar has been for the last 3 months (target is 7.0% or less for most people) “B” stands for “Blood Pressure” – High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease (target is less than 130/80 for most people) “C” stands for “Cholesterol” – High cholesterol can also increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious problems (target for LDL is 2.0 or less) “D” stands for “Drugs to Protect your Heart” - Speak with your health
care team about medication to protect against heart attack and stroke “E” stands for “Exercise and Healthy Eating” – Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise each week and follow a healthy, well balanced diet “S” stands for “Self Management Support” – Work with your health care team to set SMART goals: Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely “S” stands for “Screening for Complications” – Regular screening can help detect complications earlier and apply interventions and/or medications to reduce risk of progression “S” stands for “Smoking Cessation” – Smoking and diabetes increase your risk of damage to blood vessels, which can lead to heart attack and stroke Why are your ABCs so important? Diabetes accounts for 30% of strokes, 40% of heart attacks, 50% of kidney failure requiring dialysis, and is the leading cause of blindness and non-traumatic lower limb amputations in Canada. By keeping your diabetes ABCs under control, you can greatly lower your risk for these complications. Work together with your diabetes team to create a plan to manage your ABCs through medications and lifestyle changes. Remember: Keep Calm and ask about Diabetes.
of the season. They hope that, by opening day on August 8, 2021, the virus threat will have eased enough to allow fans once again.
14 Mill Street East Leamington
519-322-2251 Proceeds go toward ice time, equipment and other player related expenses
Community Calendar
JANURAY 6 & 20 ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. January dates are the 6th and the 20th. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. 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.
ONGOING MIRACLE MOBILE MARKET - Free fresh produce boxes available in Wheatley every Tuesday from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at Wheatley Baptist Church. You can pick up a box and have option of paying it forward by donating and helping someone else. COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4-5 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4-5pm. Food and clothing are available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish, 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.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234. 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 519-682-2580.
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. PREGNANCY & RESOURCE CENTRE, 33 Princess St. (Central 33) Suite 212, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses and trained volunteers. Free pregnancy tests. Call 24/7 for free and confidential support - 519-3260612. Business calls: 519-326-3821.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS NOW BACK IN THE SOUTHPOINT SUN To place your event in the Community Calendar... Phone: 519-398-9098 • Email: sun@southpointsun.ca • or drop off at 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 2, Leamington SUBMISSIONS NOT GUARANTEED.
