Dedicated constable chosen as final medal bearer here for Rick Hansen Relay

By Pat Bailey

For Kevin O'Neil, there were several Canadian figures in his life that inspired him to dedicate so much of his time and effort to the people of Leamington.

It's ironic that one of those men is now responsible for O'Neil's latest honor -- being the final medal bearer when the 25th anniversary Rick Hansen Man in Motion Tour rolls into Leamington November 20, especially since Hansen himself was one of O'Neil's inspirations.

For O'Neil, crossing paths with Hansen 25 years ago, helped him become the man he is today.

As a young RCMP officer in Saskatchewan, O'Neil spent a day and a half as an escort for Hansen on the original 'Man in Motion Tour'.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Humphreys holds five-stroke lead in first round of club championship

The smooth swinging, former champion Brian Humphreys shot a sizzling five under par 66 to take a commanding five-stroke lead in the first round of the annual Erie Shores Men's Club Championship this past weekend.

Senior Club Champion Bill Ruiter stands alone in second place, five shots behind, at even par 71, while defending champion Jim McCallum is another two strokes back at two over par 73. Mike Morin is in fourth place after shooting an opening three over par round of 74.

Scott Rutgers and Sandy Towle are tied for fifth position at five over par 76 which is one stroke ahead of Ryan Harder's 77 and two better than Chris Webster's 79.

To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

28th Annual Tomato Festival Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events

Wednesday August 17

11:00 am - Tapping of the Tomato Keg in front of the Big Tomato (Uptown Leamington)

1:00 pm - Leamington Tomato Festival Texas Scramble Golf Tournament

Thursday August 18

7:00 pm - Leamington Tomato Festival Pageant (Leamington Recreation Complex, Sherk St.). Admission: $6.00 (4 and under free)

Friday August 19

6:00 pm - Opening Ceremonies

7:00 pm - Local Bands will Entertain

Saturday August 20

8:30 am - 6:30 pm - New Beach Volleyball Tournament

10:00 am - Tomato Festival Parade (starts at Leamington Fairgrounds and continues down Erie St. and ends at Seacliff Dr.)

1:00 pm - World Famous Tomato Stomp

2:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Local Bands will entertain

Sunday August 21

8:00 am - Pancake Breakfast

9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Custom Car Show (Uptown Leamington, Talbot St. W & Queen)

1:00 pm - FireFighter's Water Barrel Fights

2:00 pm - Local Entertainment

Check out the Children's Village, Crafters, Food Vendors and Wine Village.

Community Living Essex County

Charity Golf Classic Raises $15,000

Community Living Essex County played host to the 21st Annual Charity Golf Classic at Fox Glen Golf Club in McGregor on Wednesday, July 20th. A field of 109 golfers turned out and raised a total of $15,000 for Community Living Essex County in support of people with an intellectual disability and their families across Essex County. Highlights of the best ball scramble tournament included a live and silent auction and eighteen holes ....... to read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Development program for young volleyball players

The South County Volleyball Club is running a developmental volleyball program (DVP) for boys and girls ages 7 to 11 and girls only, aged 12 to 14.

The program begins on Thursday, October 6, and runs for eight weeks at Northwood Elementary in Windsor. The cost is $70 which includes a t-shirt.

For full details and to get a registration form, visit our website www.southcounty.ca or call 519-776-9912.

Comber farm to host farm twilight tour

This year's annual 'Farm Twilight Tour' will be hosted by the 2010 Essex Conservation Farm Award winner, Dave Buchanan, on Sept. 10 at his Comber farm.

The focus of this year's event is 'nature on the farm'. During the tour, which begins at 2 p.m., a woodlot and created wetland will be explored and discussed.

To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

BOATERS PULLED FROM WATERS

Three Leamington residents were plucked from Lake Erie around noon on Friday about 30 minutes  after their boat began to take on water.

According to OPP, the anglers were fishing from their 15-foot boat about two miles east of Point Pelee when they had to abandon ship.

Police said luckily one of the people on board had a portable VHF radio and was able to send out a ‘May Day’ distress call about 11:30 a.m.

The Canadian Coast Guard, the Essex County OPP Marine Unit and civilian vessels received the call and one of the civilian boaters was able to rescue the trio — a man aged 45, and two women, aged 45 and 26.

“It is good to see that the vessel and occupants were all equipped with the required safety devices,” said OPP Sergeant Rick Tonial. “if not, the result of this incident could have been tragic.”

The vessel has been recovered by the Canadian Coast Guard and returned to shore.