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Paul Harris Fellowship recipients

(L) Derek Wills, Mike LeBlance, Bill Verkerke, Andrea LaBlance, Jane Kramer & Art Eby

Rotary International established the Paul Harris Fellowship awards as a means of recognizing those Rotarians who have made a difference to their club and their community.

For each $1000US donated to the Rotary Foundation, one person is able to be recognized and, this year, six recipients in Southampton Rotary were honoured with the Paul Harris Fellowship.

Mike Atkins pins the Fellowship on Jane Kramer with President , Mike LaBlance looking on

Jane Kramer's family began coming to Southampton in 1880 by horse and buggy from London, Ontario.

Kramer began her career as a teacher of history and physical education in Kitchener and, today, she is still committed to young students through her participation in the the Remedial Reading Program at Southampton's G.C. Huston Public School.

She has been an avid volunteer with several organizations including Marine Heritage Society, Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, the Town of Saugeen Shores Parks & Trails Committee, the Town's Waterfront Advisory Committee and the Chantry Seniors' Centre.

Kramer is also a founding member, and now President, of the Women's Probus Club and is also President of the Canadian Federation of University Women's (CFUW) Southport Scholarship Fund.  She is also a volunteer with the Chantry Island's Propeller Club and leads tours to the Island.

Derek Wills

Originally from Bristol, England, wills emigrated to Canada with his parents in 1947.

He and his father were very involved in Scouting and Derek Wills is the recipient of the Queen Scout Award.

A Stationary Engineer, Wills worked at Ontario Hydro and today, in retirement with his wife, Lynda, he is very involved in Curling and genealogy and has volunteered at the Owen Sound Church of Latter Day Saints Church to help those trying to find their family history. 

He has also volunteered at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre and, as a golfer, has served on the Saugeen Golf and Country Club Board

During the winter, he spends time in his workshop making wooden trucks for his grandsons but, this summer, he and his wife Lynda are planning a road trip to the East Coast of Canada.

Bill Verkerke (C)

Bill Verkerke of Southampton is recognized as a volunteer extraordinaire when it comes to fundraising. In the past 12 years, he has raised a total of $29,167 and, during this year's campaign he raised $6,666.

He was recognized this year with the 'Heart and Soul Award' for his contribution to the Grey Bruce Chapter of the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.

In addition, he is a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society, having lost his wife to the disease.

Andrea and Mike LaBlance

When it comes to 'teamwork', Andrea and Mike LaBlance are the perfect example.  Rarely is one seen without the other.  Whether it's frying up fish or dressed as clowns in parades, the LaBlances work together.

Mike LaBlance has served as Rotary Director, Treasurer and, for the past year, as President while Andrea works quietly behind the scenes, while heading up numerous fund-raising projects including the annual rotary dinner auction and winter draws.

Andrea also initiated the 'Purple Pinky' project to bring awareness about global polio eradication in to local schools.

As a couple, they were also instrumental in the program that provides dictionaries to individual grade 3 students in Saugeen Shores to improve literacy in addition to pursuing grants that resulted in computers being brought into Southampton's G. C. Huston Public School.

In addition, they are involved in their church, the Friends of MacGregor Park and were key figures in the local Scouting and Guiding.

Art Eby (L) with Mike LaBlance

Art Eby was born and raised in Southampton and, for most of his life, has dedicated himself to community service.

For most of his career, he was a teacher at the local high school, Saugeen District Secondary School, and then in later years, served as a municipal councilor and also as the last Mayor of Southampton before amalgamation.

As a Rotarian, Eby has lead the Membership committee for many years and has been instrumental in highlighting literacy issues.  It was also while he was Club President that the Rotary Scout Hall meeting place was constructed.

He and wife, Chris, are avid gardeners and he also takes part in the annual Santa Claus Parade as a clown.An

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Friday, June 03, 2011