by Marilyn Snedden
Over 50 seniors from the local District 7A (North Lanark) spent from August 19-22 at Windsor and Amherstburg competing in the Ontario +55 Senior Summer Games. They were billetted in Caesar’s ,a beautiful hotel housing the casino.For some there was added excitement there in addition to the competitions but everyone gave their best, even when it meant catching a shuttle bus before 7 am.
Four hundred volunteers worked with the Windsor Transit system to provide bus service to the dozens of venues in the two cities. It was a tremendous effort as there were well over 1000 competitors,who had qualified by winning at their local events.
Windsor hosted darts,swimming, bowling, pickleball,slo-pitch,tennis and lawn bowling. Shuffleboard,bocce,walking,carpet bowling and horseshoes were held at Amherstburg. Card games such as cribbage,euchre,bid euchre and bridge were at both places.
The Opening and Closing ceremonies were impressive -especially since Frank Osclamp from Carleton Place received his silver medal there for Bowling in the over 75 years group.
receives silver medal for Bowling -over 75 years group
Most medals had been awarded at their venues where the team of Ivor Morris and Doral Munro won bronze in the Men’s Darts. There were many close placings and the two teams from here in Horseshoes each received a consolation prize of a bottle of wine for their effort.
Ecker,Marion & Richard Fitzgibbon,Horseshoe consolation
Plans are under way for the 2015 Winter Games with a curling tournament between Pakenham,Almonte, Carleton Place and Carp scheduled for October 22 in the Almonte rink. Watch for a brochure for other events.
The next Ontario games are to be in the Midland area in 2016 so the venue will be quite a contrast to this year. Be sure to congratulate out winners if you see them but the whole group brought honour to our community.