Published in The BANAR February 2016 by Marjorie MacQuarrie-Derickx.
Everyone has gifts and strengths that can be used to make their community stronger. My Dad, Bob, utilized his knowledge and abilities to create a stronger Gloucester township as well as a more responsible and responsive regional and provincial government. He was able to offer political service because his partner was Eleanor. She used her gifts raising five kids and running a very busy household, actively contributing and participating, forging lasting friendships at every turn, all while chauffering Bob (a non-driver) to the multitude of meetings he needed to attend.
Eleanor and Bob moved to the Hamlet in 1967 from nearby Cardinal Heights. Blackburn Hamlet, the new Costain development was a planned community in the Greenbelt with green space, extra wide streets and underground services. It was the perfect location for a family with five very active and growing children. Although the Costain development was new, it had the advantage of the existing community of Blackburn—with a rich history of pioneering families and a welcoming atmosphere. Hailing from PEI, our parents knew the importance of community and they came to Blackburn with a strongly entrenched commitment to service, including having worked hard to support and establish Rothwell United Church.
It did not take long for Eleanor and Lois Kemp to connect and for a formidable friendship to develop. Like my parents, Lois and her husband Eldon were active participants in their community. They emulated the principle that ‘if you want to have a voice in how things in your community are being done, then you better be prepared to be part of making it happen.’ The combined energies of Lois and Eleanor created a force to help make things happen in Blackburn and beyond. The fact that they each had large families—a built in workforce—was just an added blessing and an excellent way to foster a positive attitude for community service into the next generation. These ladies were ahead of the curve in many respects, expecting community service from their offspring—long before the mandated Community Service hours required by the Ontario Government for graduation from high school.
We have memories of the hand-crank Gestetner moving between our basement and the Kemp’s front room as we each took turns to roll out mimeographed copies of the BANAR (Blackburn Area News and Reports). Thanks to their combined troop of kids (and their friends) dividing the distribution area they ensured that residents were informed about the many activities that were happening in the community.
Together with a host of like-minded community volunteers, Lois and Eleanor organized and convened the first Blackburn Fun Fair, which was held on the grounds of Glen Ogilvie Public School. Heavy on ‘Fun’ and offering something for all, it provided a great opportunity for neighbours and families to gather and has become a Blackburn mainstay.
Mom was a keen recycler before it was popularized. Born into the age of ‘waste not–want not’ she could always find another use for just about everything. She made this ability work to community advantage by collecting newsprint and paper, filling our garage to the rafters and then transporting it to a depot where it was converted to cash by weight. Others in the community followed suit becoming depots for their surrounding neighbours and soon the paper drive had outgrown Eleanor’s station wagon. Eldon Kemp’s truck was called into service to pick up the excess. They had again seemingly created something from nothing, and only the investment of volunteer energy, time and some vehicle wear and tear. The dollars that came streaming back to the community helped to provide improved facilities or equipment, whatever the priority required by the community at the time. Interesting to recall this memory now that recycling programs are commonplace.
Mom pitched in at the various schools and was quick to volunteer in many other ways. She regularly drove us to and from sports, camps and other events and filled the car with others also needing a ride. She was a regular score-keeper and helped to manage teams in baseball, hockey and ringette (more about this later), fundraising, organizing tournaments and the like.
Mom also volunteered in other ways in the community. She distributed, collected, counted and deposited Penny-saver banks for Save the Children Canada. She greatly appreciated the handful of area businesses which supported the cause and allowed these banks to be displayed in their shops. She also worked for over 40 years as a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society, transporting educational materials to area schools, including a large ‘smoking’ model that demonstrated to students firsthand what would stream into their lungs with each cigarette smoked. Additionally, she served as area captain for the April door-to-door canvass for the Cancer society. She had a network of committed and reliable neighbours who made overseeing this task a pleasure. Much has changed in the realm of charitable fundraising with the door-to-door canvass being displaced by other activities such as Cancer Chases, Walks, Runs, and lotteries—everything in its time.
All that said, her true passion was revealed with her introduction to the game of ringette. Lois, Eleanor, and some good friends were determined to see ringette come to the area and in 1970, brought the sport (invented in 1963 in North Bay) to Blackburn. The sport quickly took root and spread throughout Gloucester and soon thereafter through much of Eastern Ontario. For several years both ladies were quite involved in coaching and managing the early teams of youngsters and young adults ( known as the ‘Deb’ division back then).
As active women and avid skaters, it wasn’t enough to watch the youngsters play. Eleanor and Lois were quick to note that ladies ringette should have a place and in 1975, a group of ladies in Blackburn sowed the seeds of what would eventually become the Gloucester & Area Adult Ringette Association.
A few years after getting the ladies out on the ice, it was agreed that a tournament would be a great addition. Again, Lois, Eleanor and a small group of their determined friends collaborated to organize the inaugural Silver Spoon Tournament. The tournament took on the name of its unique approach—awards offered to teams were collectible souvenir spoons rather than medals. The 39th Silver Spoon runs March 2016 and for the first time since its inception, two of its founders, Eleanor (1928–2015) and Lois (1930–2015) will not be present, except in spirit.
Mom was a true ambassador for the sport of ringette—playing until hip and knee replacements necessitated she no longer play competitively. However, that did not prevent her from celebrating her 80th birthday on the ice, enjoying a family and friends invitational ringette game. She was an avid fan, thrilled to see the progress of the game and the skill level of the players working together as a true team.
Mom did not look for accolades for her contributions to the community. She was merely doing her part to contribute, by getting involved and helping out where she could. Blackburn was her home for forty-eight years—she loved her home and the community and it was well worth any investment she gave to it. She was always so appreciative of everyone who got involved and made an effort—giving in whatever way they could—even if only to extend a hand to a neighbour or to smile and wave when passing on the street.