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h i t c h u r c h - Stouffville was propelled onto the world stage of ath- letics last month through the brilliant trampoline endeavours of Olympic silver med~ allist Karen Cockburn. This month, our town was again immersed in the spotlight of pub- licity thanks to the magnificent tenor voice of Lloyd Knight. Mr. Knight, 73, a Stoufi'ville-area nesident since 1993, was voted No. 1 out of 800 vocal and instrumental entrants from across Canada in the second annual Chartwell Senior Star competition. The grand finale, featuring the contest’s top 10, was held Sept. 15 in the Imperial Room of Toronto's Royal York Hotel. Iohn Storms of Kingston placed second. Phyllis Sykes of Etobicoke was third. All 10 finalists received engraved, cut-glass trophies. The top three won, respectively, $5,000, $4,000 and $3,000 travel vouchers. “When my name was announced as the winner, I was shocked,” Mr. Knight said. “It was a magic moment, a highlight in my life.” After giving the suggestion considerable thought, Mr. Knight visited a Chartwell residence in Markham and an audition was arranged. He sang one of his favouâ€" rite gospel songs,You Raise Me Up, and was immediately selected to advance to the next round. The numbers were reduced to 73 and then 10. Out of the finalists, Mr. Knight was the last to perform. “I Was totally amazed at the magnitude of the production," Mr. Knight said. The supporting cast included a seven-piece orchestra directed by Laura Lynn and a ballroom filled with 450 people. The show's host was famed Canadian singer Dinah Christie. By coincidence, it was during a haircut appointment in Pickering that his barber suggested Knight seriously consider entering the Chartwell contest, reserved for men and women 65 and over. The panel of judges included entertainment icon Gordie Tapp, Dan Clancy of Canadian jazz rock- ers Lighthouse and singer-song- writeer Louis. Mr. Clancy called the quality of talent “spectacula1”. “It was difficult to select the best from the amazing 10 finalists,” he said, “but, in the end, it was the power and grace of Lloyd’s voice Lloyd wows them in national finals SUNâ€"TRIBUNE PEOPLE Jim Thomas’s column did not appear in Thursday's Sunâ€"Tribune, as scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience. that won us over.’ Mike Harris, former premier of Ontario and Chartwell board chairâ€" person, was in attendance. Mr. Knight likened the finals to a concert rather than a competition. “Never have I cherished such a moment,” he said, after his name was announced. “It was a surprise; a shock, because all finalists were equally good.” His wife, was seated in the audience. Editor’s note Mr. Knight plans to attend next year’s performance, but as a specta- tor rather than a participant. Born at Penetang, one of four in the family of Robert Francis and Dorothy Knight, Lloyd moved with his parents to Toronto after his father obtained work at Victory Aircraft in Malton. The next day, both the winner and nmner-up were guests on Breakfast Television on CITYJ‘V. In December, CTV will feature an hour-long review. As a teen, he attended Islington Avenue Baptist Church and later the People's Church. Following the congregations move to Wlllowdale, the quality of Lloyd’s voice was recâ€" ognized by the minister of music, Dr. David Wllliams. It was while attending Etobicoke Collegiate Institute that he was introduced to his first real singing role, that of a soloist in an all-girl choir. “That’s a story in itself," he admits. Lloyd became a regular Sunday soloist on national television. In Roaming Around with Jim Thomas Stoufl‘ville’s Lloyd Knight was voted No. 1 out of 800 vocal and instrumental entrants from across Canada in the Giartwell Senior Star competition. addition, he’s traveled with Dr. John Wesley White, associate evangelist with the Billy Graham Crusade. locally, he’s been a guest soloist at Stouffville’s Christmas Day pro- gram, at Stouffville’s Parkview Vll- lage and the Sacred Music Night in Stoufiville’s St. James Presbyte- rian Church. In November, he‘s parâ€" ticipating in a memorial service at Markhaven, Markham. attended Markham Mission- ary Church. They now worship at Unionville Alliance. Lloyd and sons Peter and Steâ€" phen operate a video production company out of their home called Roundtable Association. 'lhey also have a son-inâ€"law and daughter. Robert and Terri-Lea Morse of Stouffville and three grandchildren. llovd Knight, another iewel in As a youth, Mr. Knight had no voice training. He calls it “a gift from God". Following their move to Smufivillc, Lloyd and Miriam Lloyd and sons Peter and Steâ€" phen operate a video production company out of their home called Roundtable Association. They also have a son-in-law and daughter. Robert and 'l‘eni-Lea Morse of Stouffville and three grandchildren. lim Thomas is a Stoujffuille resi dent who has written for area news papers for more than 50 years. Lloyd Knight, another jewel in Stoufi’ville's symbolic music crown. HUGH WESLEY PHOTO Stoufl‘ville Sun-Tribune I Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 Arrests in Giant Tiger heists in Stouffville, Markham Two men have been Charged in connection with two store robberies in Stouffville and Markham this year. The most recent heist took place April 15 at the Markham place April 15 at the Markham Giant 'Iiger store. Two employees were leaving for the night when they were forced back inside by two men, one of whom was armed with a gun. Another Giant Tiger was robbed Jan. 12 in Stouffville. At about 7:30 p.m., the manager was closing the Main Street store when two men inside an SUV pulled up beside him. One man got out of the vehi- cle and forced the manager at gunpoint to re-open the store before tying him up, police said. Whitchurch-Stouffville News Digest The robbers grabbed cash and cigarettes and drove off. The manager was not hurt. Walk, run for conservation TWO people were brought to York Region from Penetanguish- ene Wednesday, where they were being held on similar charges. Andre Nicholas Samuels, 25. of Brampton and Oliver Nicho- las Evans, 28, of Toronto have been charged with several rob- bery-related offences. Both men were held in custo dy and are scheduled in a New market court Oct. 15. The trails of Bruce's Mill Con servation Area should be linec with runners and walkers 0 varying ages next weekend. The inaugural Mill 5 Run and Walk is slated to take place at the Stoufiville Road park Oct. 5. Proceeds go to the Conser- vation Foundation of Greater Toronto. ' Participants can register at www.mn4conservation.com or the Running Room in Markham. or at Bruce’s Mill on race day. Entry fees before Oct. 4 are $35. On race day, they are $40. The 5K race and walk begins at 10 a.m. with the Children’s fun run at 10:10 a.m. For more information on the run, go to www.mndconsen/ationcom Visit yorkregion.com for more on these and other storivs