Editorial - May 7, 2008

By Laurie Brett

Celebrating the best!

In case you haven’t heard … Essex is the luckiest junior C hockey community in Ontario, bar none.

The Essex 73’s have amassed the most league titles in the history of the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League – 15 as of this year. They’ve had five All-Ontario final appearances during Coach Tony Piroski’s tenure. And they’ve gone toe to toe with the “best of the best” teams, bringing the most exciting level of Junior C hockey into our community year after year.

And this year was no different. The seven-game series that ended Sunday night with an overtime upset for Essex was a hard-fought contest that everyone should be proud of. The Alliston Hornets, this year’s Clarence Schmalz Cup winners, now know for the first time in their 37-year history what it feels like to be on top and, despite feeling a great deal of remorse for our local boys, we have to give Alliston the recognition they deserve. Thanks 73’s! Congratulations Alliston!

When it comes to recognition, barely a week goes by without someone in our community being recognized publicly for their good deeds, long years of service, outstanding performance or amazing feats. In this week’s Essex Free Press alone we report on a number of newsworthy accomplishments.

First, there’s Eileen Clifford. The people of our community have been honoured to know of Eileen’s dedication to the Essex Area Food Bank for over 10 years, but word of her hard work finally made it to Queen’s Park and the Ontario government recognized her last week with the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism. Congratulations Eileen!

Then there’s Elise Harding-Davis, former curator of the North American Black Historical Museum in Amherstburg, who was honoured last week at the United Way’s “Hearts that Light the Way” awards for her long term commitment to voluntarism in the community. Congratulations Elise!

A third honoree recognized last week was not an individual but rather the entire group of Rotary Clubs operating in Windsor and Essex County. The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County presented the Herb Gray Harmony Award to the clubs for the work they do to promote peace around the world. With only 15 members, the Essex Rotary Club still finds ways to contribute to international peace initiatives and has been very successful over the last few years in finding host families for the youth exchange program. Congratulations to all the Rotary Clubs of Windsor and Essex County!

Looking ahead (and warning you, in case it’s slipped your mind), there are thousands of mothers in the area who will be recognized this weekend for a wide array of special qualities. Whether you love mom for her patience and perseverance, the depth of her wisdom, or her unconditional love, now’s a good time to let her know that you’re celebrating the best!