In 2024, we welcomed more than 7,000 visitors, and received $21,392 in donations.

The editor of the Prince Edward County’s newspaper of record and a former staffwriter were honoured by the Rotary Club of Picton last week with Paul Harris Fellowship awards.

Jason Parks and Desirée Decoste were presented with fancy pins and certificates at Rotary’s weekly meeting for their work covering and reporting on the local club’s fundraising activities.

Named in honour of Rotary founder Paul Harris, a Fellow is recognized as having done something significant for others or for having made an outstanding contribution to the community.

Rotarian Joanne Coker noted the generosity of community members in Prince Edward County is especially meaningful.

“When you donate your time, resources and talents you improve the quality of life of the people in the community. We truly appreciate our friends who embody this spirit and recognize these efforts,” Ms. Coker said.

“Jason Parks and Desiree Decoste have done so much for the Rotary Club of Picton in coverage of our weekly speakers and showing up to take photos of the club’s numerous cheque presentations to various charities in our community,” said Rotarian Rick Jones.

“If not for them, the Club would not have received this tremendous exposure in the community through the Picton Gazette and that’s why I have nominated Jason and Desiree to receive the Paul Harris Fellow award, one of the highest honours Rotary can bestow.”

Read the rest of the story in The Picton Gazette https://www.pictongazette.ca/2023/09/07/gazette-editor-writer-honoured-with-harris-fellowship-awards/

Rotarians celebrated a year of service at the Waring House last week as the presidential gavel changed hands. The club had much to celebrate, including raising over $100,000 to help war-torn Ukraine.

Don Leslie accepted the gavel in a ceremony at the Waring House last week from Past President Barb Proctor. A continued dedication to the community it serves and higher visibility while doing so was part of the message from the incoming president, who  noted that club numbers started to grow after the uncertainty of the pandemic had subsided.

For the full story, go to https://www.pictongazette.ca/2023/07/05/picton-rotary-celebrates-heroic-efforts-in-service-of-ukraine/

1. Frank Wright                                      joined in 1978    45 years
2. PP & PDG Rob Leek                         joined in 1979    44 years
3. PP Leo Finnegan                               joined in 1980    43 years
4. PP Chris Rogers                                 joined in 1982    41 years
5. PP Mark Davis                                    joined in 1983    40 years
6. PP John Clarke                                   joined in 1983    40 years
7. PP James Hepburn                          joined in 1984    39 years
8. Andy Janikowski                               joined in 1988    35 years
9. PP Debbie MacDonald Moynes  joined in 1990    33 years
10. Jim Macgregor                                  joined in 1991    32 years

The Rotary Club of Picton presented a $700 cheque to the Salvation Army which will go towards their Christmas baskets. 
(L-R) President Barb, Laura Holmes Administrator Community Family Services Director, Captains Lorenda & David Dale, Rotarian Doug

Four afternoons a week, the girls race into the Reaching for Rainbows centre at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to spend two-and-a-half wonderful hours in a structured play program that is tailored to their needs and interests and that encourages life and academic skills. The girls just love it!

Presentation of a  $1,000 cheque to Universal Hospitals Kingston Foundation. From left to right is President Rick Jones, Shannon Coull who is Associate Director,  and Past President James Hepburn

Libby was born in Montreal to older parents meaning that she didn’t have grandparents.  She belonged to a young person’s group and did a lot of outreach and community service.  She attended McGill University for 2 years then married and moved to Toronto in 1964.  She taught school for 3 years.  Libby has 4 children and 10 grandchildren.  She helped form a chapter of the Kidney Foundation and was in a puppet show “The Tinkle Fest” as one of the characters.

In 1971 she bought an old stone house in Milford with no running water.  Her husband’s great grandfather was born in The county as were other family members.  She read a reference in one of Al Capon’s books – 1836 – re a teacher Mr. Crombie from Montreal.

She also read from an “illuminated letter” given to her husband’s great grandfather on the occasion of his leaving Picton (he was the Bank of Montreal manager) on October 18, 1892.

They restored the farmhouse over weekends and summers and the PE Sailing School was very important to her kids.

In July 1987 her husband learned he had stomach cancer and died in January 1988.  Libby went back to teaching and then decided to try real estate and took the courses at George Brown College and was fortunate to get in.  She got her licence and worked part-time for Hugh Jackson.

Libby has worked full-time in real estate since retiring from teaching in 1999 and there have been many changes in the field.  Her slogan has always been “why not live where you love to visit.”  She’s proud to be with Royal LePage.  She sponsors many fundraisers, is on many boards, including Glenwood Cemetery, and feels fortunate to have so many people to call her friends.