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Opeongo Nordic celebrates at ‘We got the grant’ event Opeongo Nordic members, residents of the surrounding areas and Renfrew-NipissingPembroke MPP John Yakabuski recently celebrated Opeongo Nordic’s receipt of an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant at the businesses’ ‘We got the grant!’ celebration. The event, on Saturday, Feb. 6, included a plaque presentation, ribbon-cutting ceremony and a showcase of the new grooming equipment being funded by the grant. Reeve for Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, Garry Gruntz, was also be in attendance. Following the presentation, local ski instructor Paul Jorgensen provided a free cross-country ski group lesson. The Ontario Trillium Foundation recognized Opeongo Nordic as a registered not-for-profit and volunteer-managed ski club that
is making a significant contribution to improving the quality of life and health in Brudenell and surrounding areas. Funding from this capital grant has purchased much-needed new grooming equipment to augment aging and worn-out equipment. The leading grant foundation in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. Opeongo Nordic is located at the top of Drohan Road, near the intersection of Hwy. 512 and Opeongo Road in Brudenell. For more information, go to www.opeongonordic.com/wegot-the-grant-celebration or call Beth Kennedy at 613-757-2079.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Dale Thompson (groomer), Brenda Missen (club board member and treasurer), Karl Soopalu (groomer), Beth Kennedy (club secretary and board member), MPP John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke), Paul Jorgensen (president Opeongo Nordic), Garry Gruntz (Reeve, Brudenell, Lyndoc and Raglan).
Fish and Game Club hands out trophies for top anglers and hunters The Renfrew Fish and Game Club held its annual dinner and awards night Sunday, Feb. 14 at the DACA Center. About 100 people braved the cold to see who picked up trophies for game and fish harvested in 2015 by club members. In lieu of a guest speaker Kevin White spoke on some of the statistics of hunting accidents in the past. “From 1960 to 1968 there were over 100 hunting accidents per year in Ontario with about 10 to 20 of those being fatal. With the introduction of Mandatory Hunter Education Courses in 1968, accidents started to dramatically decline and by the mid 1990s accidents were well below 10 per year and with many years having no fatalities,” said White, who is also a Canadian Firearms/ Hunter education instructor. White says Ontario has one of the best programs in the world for hunter education. “As seasoned hunters (those with many years experience) we have to realize that new hunters are coming out of the course knowing the correct way, sometimes seasoned hunters get a little complacent and just might learn something from watching these new hunters.” White also said that even though hunting still has accidents it is still one of the safest activities to do compared to other activities like biking and swimming. White said that he does hunter safety courses throughout the year, with the next one starting on March 3 and that if anyone is interested to contact him. Darrell Mooney, past president of the club, joined White at the microphone to share a few stories and jokes and to help announce the winners for the evening. 28 The Renfrew Mercury - Thursday, March 3, 2016
The Renfrew Fish and Game Club handed out a number of trophies at its annual banquet. Front left to right; John Deshane, Jason Pasco, Bridget McLeod, Erin Pasco, Dylan Rekowski, James Utronki, Dianne Utronki, Eric Haskin, Kaitlyn Bourgeois, Brandon Hanniman, Holly Mooney, Lloyd Gibson and in the back are Tucker Mulvihill, Trevor Cavanagh. Submitted Sponsors
Brian Linde, president of the Renfrew Fish and Game thanked everyone for coming out to the evening and to also thanked all the sponsors for their support. Linde had a special thanks to Gourley’s Variety and Gas on Hwy. 132 for being our weigh in station for big game animals again. Linde reminded everyone that when they hear the names of trophy sponsors that they remember that name and support them in their business when they can and also urged all members to enter all their fish and game that they harvest during the year no matter
how big or small. Trophies
The evening ended with the presentation of about 30 trophies. The 2015 winners and trophy sponsors are: largemouth bass junior Josiaha Utronki:1lbs. 7oz., Haskin Painting. Largemouth bass junior Trevor Cavanagh 1lbs. 9oz., Renfrew Metro. Salmon senior Mitch Forgie 26lbs. 15oz., Ray’s Flower. Smallmouth bass senior Danny Rekowski 2lbs. 15oz., Gourley’s Variety and Sports. Best pike junior Eric Haskin 6lbs. 2oz., T Williams
Plumbing. Second best pike junior Trevor Cavanagh 3lbs., Bluewave Energy. Third best pike Josiaha Utronki 2lbs. 6oz., Protyre. Best pike senior Jerry Mahusky 12lbs. 3oz., Canadian Tire. Best pickerel junior Oliver Gould 7lbs. 8oz., M&R Feeds. Second best pickerel junior Dylan Rekowski 3lbs. 14oz., TFC Signs. Third best pickerel junior Trevor Cavanagh 3lbs., Renfrew Fish & Game. Best pickerel senior Danny Rekowski 6lbs., 2oz., Glen’s Auto and Towing. Best Lake trout junior Tucker Mulvihill 7lbs. 8oz., MacKenzie Motors. Outstanding fish by senior Mitch Forgie – Salmon 26lbs. 15oz., M.J Bolger Memorial. Outstanding fish by junior Tucker Mulvihill - lake trout 7lbs. 8oz., Renfrew Fish & Game. Best beaver Jason Pasco 52lbs. 8oz., Centreside Dairy. Best turkey L l o y d Gibson 23lbs. 8oz., Jim New Pre-Owned. Best coyote Jason Pasco 56lbs. 7oz., Renfrew & Game. Best grouse senior Diane Utronki, 1lbs. 7oz., Dwayne’s Auto Body. Best duck senior James Utronki 3lbs., Fiebigs Trophies. Best duck junior Isaiah Skebo 1lbs. 8oz., Sunlife Insurance. Best buck senior Erin Pasco 184lbs. 3oz., Kerry Forgie Memorial. Second best buck senior Tom Hanniman 131lbs. 8oz., Des Yolkowski. Best buck junior Kaitlyn Bourgeois 151lbs. 6oz., Renfrew Printing. Best doe Brandon Hanniman 118lbs. 1oz., Ottawa Valley Oxygen. Best deer muzzleloader Bridget McLeod – buck 121lbs. 2oz., Scott Hardware. Second best doe John Deshane 111lbs. 7oz., Finnigans Restaurant. Best deer by a lady Erin Pasco 184lbs. 3oz., Fred Hansma Construction. Youngest successful hunter Holly Mooney 12-years-old, Don Inglis Memorial. Oldest successful hunter John Deshane, Hilbert Enright Memorial. Best bear Jason Pasco 140lbs. Renfrew Fish & Game.