'Door-to-door' fundraiser benefits Wolfe Island family
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Margaret Knott
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EMC Lifestyle- A door-to-door fundraiser for the Minton and O'Coin families, organized by Wolfe Islanders Sherry Orr, Sharon Kane, and Angie Vaughan ended Sunday evening when a group of islanders gathered outside the home of Daryl Niles where two trailers, located on the property, are housing them since a devastating fire destroyed their home. The islanders came to present Laurie and Scott, daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Ian, and grandchildren Madyson (10) and Mackynzie (8), with the funds collected to assist them. 
The Minton family of Wolfe Island, (front row) Laurie, Jennifer, Ian, Mack and Scott, were the recipients of a generous donation of over $8,000.
"On behalf of the community including Simcoe Island and our summer residents we would like to present the entire family with the cash donations collected in the door-to-door visits made by many volunteers," Sharon Kane said, as Sherry Orr presented an envelope to a very emotional Laurie, and her equally emotional husband Ian Minton.
The donations totalled $8,614.00 and did not include the already presented donations collected at 'Megalys' store in Marysville according to Kane,
The presentation of an envelope for daughter Jennifer was repeated when the O'Coin family finally arrived, late due to a ambulance call which delayed the ferry. Missing the presentation was Madyson who was away at camp.
In response, Laurie, a Ministry of Transportation employee, talked about what it is like to live in a community where everyone cares. "And this is not the first time," she said referring to a time when the community rallied around the family when her grandson was diagnosed with leukemia. (Mackynzie is now cancer free.) "Ours is a small family and we will continue to all live together, for a time at least, after our new (modular home) arrives," she said. "I rarely show emotion about anything," her visibly moved husband Ian, added. Daughter Jennifer spoke of things coming in 3's (Mack's illness, the fire, a car accident) that are now in the past. "As we look to the future, I am so grateful to this wonderful community we live in," she said.
There was time then to share stories and anecdotes about island living, travelling on the ferry and the kindnesses of Laurie who is always ready to help anyone in distress. To the many (door-to-door) volunteers, Kane had this to say, "wow, way to go, neighbours and friends."
2. Tornado-like storm strikes Wolfe Island's Hickory Lane
Reports of a tornado like storm Wednesday, July 21st around 4 pm striking Gananoque , Howe Island and other environs made the news. The reports made no mention of a storm hitting certain areas of Wolfe Island. However
a 'phone call Saturday a.m. from Frontenac Islands Councillor Dennis Doyle alerted me to Hickory Lane where many new homes and cottages are located, and they had been hit hard by a violent storm on the same day, at approximately the same time. Hickory Lane is at the far east end of Wolfe Island on the south side.
"It was a ferocious storm that came on so quickly, with high winds and hail, year-round Hickory Lane resident Bev Sherman said, as she took me on a tour of area. (She and her husband Doug, long time cottagers there, have been permanent residents for 3 years.)
Very mature oak and hickory trees, torn up by there roots, were everywhere. Remarkably only two or 3 of the houses suffered serious damages from the falling trees. "People have worked so hard to care for their properties," Bev said. "And just look at the mess. It will take weeks to clean it up," adding that a tent trailer belonging to friends was demolished. Lamp posts were down, an air conditioner had blown off its foundation, outdoor furniture was broken or had blown off shore. " The people who suffered the greatest loss of trees are Vic McQueen and Paul and Ed Mika, " Sherman said. "There was damage to Bev Lloyd's new home as well as many trees down but some of it was cleaned up yesterday through her insurance when a chipping crew arrived for a day."
"I was sitting on a swing when it stated to blow, and marble sized hail hit hard," Vic McQueen said. "The swing blew into the river, and so many trees came down. I was pretty upset. My heartbeat went funny about 4 o'clock in the morning. I don't know if it was because of all this. I had a regular doctor's appointment on Thursday, ended up in hospital and had my heart shocked back to normal. Some mighty storm,'
Dave Scott and Adair Chown had come in from a few days of sailing." We were ashore when the storm broke," Dave said . "The wind was so bad we actually grabbed the cat and went to the basement. We didn't hear any of this happen, just the wind and the hail (2 inches deep on the west side) hitting the house," he said looking at the fallen trees. " During the ice storm you could hear the trees snapping, cracking and falling, not this time," Adair added.
At McLean's bush further up, at least 12 big oaks fell one on top of another taking down everything underneath according to Dave.
Bev Sherman commented that cottagers and homeowners coming to Hickory Lane for the weekend, knowing nothing of the storm would be devastated by what they see. " People who were here think it was a tornado but no meteorologist came our way to confirm it," The WI Fire Department responded to a 911 call about an arcing wire and contacted Hydro One. While Hydro has been restored to the area, telephone service was not so quick. (Cell phones at that end of the island roam to the USA)
Councillor Doyle having visited the area will bring the situation to the attention of council.
AROUND TOWN:
* Wolfe Island weekend traffic at an all time high with walk-on's, cyclists and cars. Long delays for vehicles leaving the Island. * Frontenac Islands Councillor Dennis Doyle has decided to run as a Mayoral candidate in the November election. So far he will be running against incumbent, Mayor Jim Vanden Hoek. *On the lighter side, heard Jan Hassellar and Wally Knott ruminating about running for council. Not sure how much truth there is in this.
COMING EVENTS:
*WI Family Ball tournament July 30-31st *Scene of the Crime Writers Festival, Aug. 14, 2010, * Music Festival, Aug. 6th -7th **Scene of the Crime Writers Festival, Aug. 14, 2010, (Events:www.wolfeisland.com)
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