The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Wednesday, August 11, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER B3 Perkins family well known in town Photo courtesy of Janet Windmill The Perkins family at the dedication of a plaque to Eldon Perkins in October 1974 by the Bronte and Oakville Horticultural Societies at Maple Valley Park. Shown from left are John and Janet Windmill and their two children Vicki and Rob; Nellie Perkins, Jessie Perkins hold­ ing Tammy, Linda's youngest; and Linda with her two other children, Adam and Wayne. (Continued from page B1) And, neighbourhood children would come to pick up bouquets for Mother's Day, paying with nickels and dimes they had saved from their allowance. "They never changed the name from Perkins and Sons," laughs Kathleen. "We were the 'sons!'" Their 100-foot frontage was lined with flowers. "I remember Grandpa taking bedding plants from the greenhouse to his garden, and giving the three of us rides back to the greenhouse. Dad was well known for his beautiful garden in front of the Photo courtesy of Janet Windmill Eldon Perkins, standing at centre back, with other members of the Trafalgar Township vol­ unteer fire department He was a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years, and was at one time secretary-treasurer, and deputy chief. greenhouses." The Perkins family was active in St. John's United Church. Frank served as an elder and Nellie sang in the choir well into her 80s. Eldon also served as an elder and his wife Jessie was involved in various church activities in addition to volunteering in the community. In recognition of their dedication to St. John's, its former pastor, Rev. James Campbell (now retired), suggested a park be named in honour of the family. "He mentioned it to me in 1994, and I wrote a letter to Bob Perkins ("no relation") of Oakville Parks and Recreation," said Janet. The land for the park was turned over to the Town by the Oakville Humane Society in 1966. Campbell, pastor at St. John's for many years and a long time friend of the family, was credited with naming the park at Friday's dedication. Eldoft and a neighbour, Cliff Post, joined the volunteer fire department in 1934 and was sta­ tioned at the former Chartwell Road fire station for over 30 years. "They needed 16 recruits for the fire department to be recognized," said Janet. "I grew up with Eldon Perkins," said Post at the dedication. "Eldon was the first volunteer of the fire department in east Oakville, then known as Trafalgar Township. Eldon Perkins was the great­ est volunteer on that fire department." He was also treasurer of the IOOF - Independent Order of Foresters, was active in the horticultural society, and was head chauffeur when the Perkins family joined the Oakville Skating club at the then new Oakville Arena built in 1951. Eldon died suddenly in July 1973. Jessie died in 1995. About 25 years ago, a plaque dedicated to Eldon was placed under a tree beside the trail lead­ ing from Maple Avenue to Maple Valley Park. It read: 'Donated October 1974 in memory of R. Eldon Perkins by Bronte Horticultural Society (and) Oakville Horticultural Society.' The plaque was stolen 15 years ago, explained Linda, surprised to discover it had not been replaced when she walked over to Maple Valley Park to show it to Chris Mark, assistant director of operations for Oakville Parks and Recreation. "I was after Mom before she died to call the Town to get the plaque replaced, and I guess she never got around to it." Mark vowed to have the plaque replaced. 'This park dedication is very special because we have so few parks named in honour of families or individuals who have contributed so much to community," he said at the dedication. "We have Post Park, Hillmer Park, Samuel Curtis Park and now we have Perkins Passage. 'This family has made a significant contribu­ tion, and has touched many areas of the Oakville community." Mike Lett, Kathleen's husband, spoke on behalf of the family, thanking Rev. Campbell for naming the park and the Town of Oakville for ded­ icated land close to the former Perkins property as a new park. "It's nice to see the Perkins name remembered in Oakville," he said. "It's wonderful to celebrate families who have contributed to Oakville and its community," con­ cluded Mayor Ann Mulvale. Clowns to qjcle 100 kilom etres through Oakville to Toronto as fundraiser for M iriam, Teresa Groups Send in the clowns - on bicy­ cles. Pockets, Nugs, Hugs, Baby and Bubbles will be cycling 100 kilometres through Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Toronto to deliver two cheques this Saturday. The cheques will go two front­ line organizations helping chil­ dren living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. The recipients will be the Miriam Child and Family Support Group of Burlington and Teresa Group Child and Family Aid in Toronto. The clowns represent A Child's Voice Foundation, a national char­ ity based in Mississauga which supports children, mostly with medical needs. The two cheques will represent the proceeds from Mark's 4th Annual Bike Ride, named in memory of a little boy who need­ ed home nursing care before his death at age 10 in 1977. The clowns are Mavis Thomas (Pockets), Madge Gedge (Hugs), Sandra Gilkes (Nugs), Roslyn Yearwood (Baby), and Mavis' 11- year-old grandson Jason Khan (Bubbles). They will be cycling in full costume. In 1996, A Child's Voice received an appeal for help from the Hospital for Sick Children for Mark, who was ill with bleeding lungs at the time. Three clowns from the organization donned clown outfits and rode 50 kilome­ tres from Oshawa to Mississauga and raised $800 to help cover the cost of Mark's home nursing care. The following year, three clowns rode 160 kilometres O through the streets of Toronto and Mississauga on a tandem bicycle, completed the ride in 12 hours and collected $1,000 for Pediatric AIDS Research at the Hospital for Sick Children. And, last year, two clowns cycled 177 kilometres, in 10 hours, from Toronto to Fort Erie, and divided the proceeds, $1,400, between the Miriam and Teresa Groups. On Saturday, the clowns will leave the Burlington office of the Miriam Group on Ontario Street at 9 a.m., follow Brant Street to Lakeshore Road through Oakville and continue on Lakeshore into Mississauga, go north on Hurontario Street to Dundas Street, south on Dixie Road and follow the Queensway and Queen Street into Toronto to the Teresa Group on Bay Street. The cyclists will have buckets attached to the backs of their bikes to collect donations along the way. To sponsor these clowns who are cycling for charity, call A Child's Voice Foundation at 905- 275-3434 or 1-888-827-3354. Volunteers needed for Oakville 2000 Summer is here and vol­ unteers are in short supply. But the Oakville 2000 Millennium Committee knows there are many Oakvillians just waiting for the call to action, to step for­ ward and be counted. If you have time to spare, or know a friend or family member who may be inter­ ested, the Millennium team wants to hear from you. Currently, volunteers are needed to assist with the staging of the Swinging Sports Day at Coronation Park on Sunday Aug. 22nd, and the Swing Time Dance at Appleby College Arena on Saturday, Aug. 28th. Both are official Countdown Events of the Oakville 2000 Millennium Committee. There's lots to do: pro­ vide directions, distribute information pieces, assist with games and activities, lend a hand with decor, and so much more and all the while having some fun as part of the Millennium team. Why not get on the band­ wagon now as Oakville cel­ ebrates the past and share the future as Oakville begins the countdown to the new millennium. To volunteer, call the Oakville 2000 Information & Volunteer Hot Line at 905-815-5992 as soon as possible to register. Or for further informa­ tion about the Oakville 2000 Millennium initiatives, just surf the net for www.oakville2000.com ® Ontario Request for Public Opinion on the Proposed Nursing Home Annual Licence Renewal of Oakville-Trafalgar Ext. LTC Unit, Oakville In accordance with the Nursing Homes Act, public opinion is being requested prior to a final decision being made on the above. If you have comments or opinions and wish to bring them to the attention of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, you may submit them in writing by addressing them to: Director, Health Care Programs Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care 5700 Yonge Street, Mezzanine Level North York, Ontario M2M 4K5 (416) 327-7345, by September 13,1999 Please include the name of the nursing home and quote Project #124-00 on all written submissions. The Director will consider all submissions before making a final decision. Bring your pet to Bronte Creek Provincial Park for Pet Festival On Sunday Bronte Creek Provincial Park will come alive with all manner of pooches, kittens, peacocks and pet owners. The Spruce Lane Farm will be hosting its third annual Pet Festival for all breeds of animal lovers. Sandy Wood house. Spruce Lane Farm's curator, enthus­ es 'I t's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. To see a variety of dogs, cats, assorted pets, and assorted pet owners having so much fun, really is a pleasure." Woodhouse adds, "This is truly a fun event There are all sorts of prizes for all sorts of classes including Best Dressed Pet, Most Mixed Breed, Best Strut and, or course, the Best Trick, etc." The Pet Festival will begin a l l a.m. and finish at 5 p.m. During the day, pet owners will be able to arrange to get a photo of themselves tkaen with their pet, take part in the ever-popular 'Cow Patty Bingo' and strut with their pet in the Pet Parade. At 3:15 p.m., there will be a special presen­ tation about the care and keeping of parrots. Bronte Creek Provincial Park is on Burloak Drive north of the QEW. Spruce Lane Farme is next to Parking Lot F. nTIRED OF YOUR JEW ELLERY & DIAMOND RING? Come to see u s l We will be happy to make a complete facelift such as cleaning and remounting - or remodeling your jewellery and diamond rings. C all R ichard L M A S T E R G O L D S M IT H2442 Lakeshore Rd. W., Bronte (905)469-0071 * KITCHENS» BEDROOMS» BATHROOMS« WALL UNITS Custom Designs, Custom Finishes, Top Q uality Cabinetry, Com petitively Priced, Free In-H om e Service, L ifetim e W arranty 4150 South Service Hi Burlington 632-0029 South Service Rdj QEW mqye abinet oncepts Y o u w a n t th e m ost ex p o su re fo r y o u r c la ss ifie d ad , rig h t? ----------- ----- • -•< *■ ..... ...................................................... ........ How's this? Click Here HaltonSearch.com Classified advertising goes online August 4/99 http://www.oakville2000.com Perkins family well known in town Oakville-Trafalgar Ext. LTC Unit, Oakville TIRED OF YOUR JEWELLERY & DIAMOND RING? * KITCHENS»BEDROOMS»BATHROOMS«WALL UNITS mqye abinet oncepts How's this? HaltonSearch.com