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A message from our club's President Karen Puzara: 
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A great experience for Optimist Red George. Congratulations Red we are proud of you! “An honour and a privilege to be invited by world-renowned musician Loreena McKennitt she wanted me to play my native flute as she played on her magical harp collaboration and duet soulful music the Huron Carol was the song it was played at this old school in Stratford Ontario with only few people allowed in the room I believe there was only six of us one of them being my good friend Matthew Maynard who introduced me to her music and I fell in love with the sound in her voice when I first heard it .She gifted me a set of her Greatest Hits on CD and DVD as well I gifted her a small eagle feather in honour of her recognition and raising awareness about that issues regarding pollution and taking care of the land she's a beautiful person has a voice of an Angel I've never felt like that before playing my flute with another musician such as her I felt really moved and we connected spiritually and emotionally.Dreams really do come true I told my friend Matthew I would like to have a duet with this Loreena McKennitt someday and it happened manifestation my ambition in my optimism and my willingness and desire to make things happen for the greater good I told Loreena McKennitt that I am Bridge builder trying my best to work towards Truth and Reconciliation on behalf of anishinabe people of kettle in Stony Point First Nation I told her that I have forgiveness in my heart and whatever the government has done First Nations people in the past I have forgiven i hope people can move forward and try to inspire others as well .Larena told me that she had studied the history about what the government has done to the First Nations people tragic it was and still is so I feel this was a great experience this happened on the day of December 7th 2020 4:20 p.m. Bridge there was a small video made also for the Royal Canadian Air Force we wish everybody a Merry Christmas peace and joy.”  Santa had a great time visiting all of the good girls and boys he saw on our Santa Holiday Tour! Click on the image to see more of the fun!  Huge congratulations to Optimist Sonja Collinet, the recipient of a municipality of Lambton Shores ‘Good Neighbour Award’! Sonja is seen here accepting her award from Deputy Mayor Doug Cook and Mayor Bill Weber. Sonja is passionate about her home community of Port Franks and keeping it beautiful. She cares deeply for the environment and wants to see the community care about it too. Sonja was a part of the original planning and building of the community gardens in Port Franks. She made them extra special by planting pollinator plants around the perimeter of the garden, adding bird houses and hardscaping the inside perimeter. Sonja also cares about the youth in the community and has dedicated many hours to the Arts and Stuff program every Wednesday and the summer art camps. The children love these programs and are grateful for the efforts Sonja puts into them. Sonja continues to build bridges with our Indigenous community. It was her idea to include the 7 Grandfather Cravings at the Port Franks trailhead, which was completed by a wood carver in Kettle Point.  We are a community service organization dedicated to "Bringing out the best in youth, in our communities and in ourselves". Optimists world-wide are dedicated to serving the youth of our communities. We are pleased to be able to help fund mental health and wellness initiatives for the students of Bosanquet P.S. Pictured below is President Karen Puzara presenting a cheque for $750 to the student council presidents at Bosanquet P.S. In addition, our club will be contributing $200 to support the school's parent council Christmas lunch project. Go Bobcats! You are kind! You are honest! You are part of a team!  We were so honoured to win FIRST PRIZE at the Forest Santa Parade with our gingerbread themed float! Thanks to our President and Vice President Karen and Tony Puzara for providing the vision, gathering and distributing materials and putting it all together, not to mention being out in the cold for hours. Also great delegation and knowing that everyone would do their part - that’s leadership. A shout out to all of Santa's Optimist elves who worked so hard to create all of the different elements involved: Garrett our right hand guy, Jim our talented woodworker, our painters Pattie, Doug, Derek, John, Marcia, Paul, Janice and Petar. Well done all! Look for us coming by on December 6th with our Santa Holiday Tour. Click on the picture below for more information, times and maps of our routes through Thedford, Walden and Port Franks!  Drive by Santa Claus Parade in Forest this weekend presented by Kiwanis and Forest Agriculture Society. We'll have a float there! More info: illmanruth@gmail.com  |
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