Village of Port Williams

2010 Volunteer of the Year

Park Planning Committee

Lieutenant-Governor Mayann Francis (far left) and MInister of Volunteerism Marilyn More (far right) presented Port Williams Park Planning Committee chair  Lia Glover Hennigar and fund raising committe chair Laura Churchill Duke with a Provincial Volunteer Award at the 36th Annual Provincial Volunteer Awards on April 12th in Halifax.

In a mere 17 months, the Port Williams Park Planning Committee, chaired by Lia Glover Hennigar, has designed, raised money for, and successfully completed phase one of the construction a multigenerational, centrally located park for the residents of Port Williams.

It was less than 2 years ago in June, 2008 that Lia stood up at the Village’s Annual Meeting to express the need for Port Williams to have a park. That September, she and a group of like-minded residents and friends got together and the Port Williams Park Planning Committee was born. It consists of committee chair Lia Glover Hennigar, fundraising chair Laura Churchill Duke, webmaster Jonathan Shum, Village Commission member Lewis Benedict, Municipal Councilor Janet Newton, Recreation Committee member Wayne Blenkhorn, and community members Ann Greener, Wendy Zwicker, David Hovell, Scott McCulloch, and Leigh Morrison.

The early stages of park planning included two open house events to gather ideas and get feedback from residents. After approval from the Village Commission in April, 2009 landscape architect was hired to design the park. The creation of the park, which is projected to cost approximately $180,000, was divided into three phases, the first of which included an accessible driveway and parking area and a hard surface court which was constructed in the summer, playground equipment which was installed in December and basketball nets and swings which will go up this spring.

Within the first year they earned more than the $80,000 required to complete phase one by actively pursuing grants and doing many fundraisers. They successfully obtained twelve grants totaling $94,916 and their innovative fund raisers included spring’s Showcase 4 Kids, the Port Williams Days Canteen, Renovators’ Paradise House Tour, followed by summer’s Sobey’s barbecue and Summer Camp for Kids. Fall brought their most successful event; Park it at the Pub, which earned over $20,000, Stargazing, the first event held at the Park, the Everything 4 Kids Super Sale, the amazing car hunt and the great bake auction held during the Village’s Christmas Tree Lighting party and the event Music - Play for Life Concert on Feb. 21st.

The total money raised now stands at approximately $108,000 with the final two phases of the park scheduled for completion in 2011. They consist of a reflexology garden (the only one on the East Coast), a walking trail, landscaping, benches and a sun shelter for picnic tables.

The committee’s website (pwpark.ca) and e-newsletter keep community members up-to-date about the work of the committee and progress on the park.

2009 Volunteer of the Year

Dorothy Farnsworth

Village Commission Chair Lewis Benedict and Commissioner Ernie Hovell stand with Dorothy Farnsworth, recipient of the Harold B. Legge Volunteer Award and inaugural representative from the village for a Nova Scotia Provincial Volunteer Award. Farnsworth was presnted with the Provnicial Award at a ceremony in  Halifax.

The members of the Murdoch C. Smith Library Board nominated Dorothy Farnsworth for Volunteer of the Year for the Village of Port Williams.

A former Air Force wireless operator and instructor, Dorothy last worked for Canada Packers Feed Division in Port Williams. She became a member of the Quarter Century Club retiring in 1986.

Dorothy, known as “Dot” to most, has made an immeasurable contribution to all facets of her community. When trying to establish a time frame for many of her volunteer activities, those questioned would very often say, “Well, she’s been doing it for as long as I can remember.”

For The Library:

Dorothy is a member of the Murdoch C. Smith Library Association and has worked on the 50th Anniversary Committee during all of 2008. She has assisted two Librarians at the Port Williams Branch of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library as a volunteer during the years 1987 to 1997. She encouraged the local Valley Gardeners to donate many lovely gardening books which are permanent to the Port Williams Branch.

For Her Community:

Dorothy has been involved with the Port Williams Community Centre as Senior’s representative on the Kitchen Committee of the Board of Trustees for 9 years. For many summers Dorothy assisted in planting, water and donating plants to the gardens at the Community Centre. For over six years, Dorothy has cut and pasted items of interest from local papers and inserted them in a series of Village scrapbooks which are available at the Village Office. When land adjacent to Dorothy’s property was recently purchased by the Village, she with others immediately began to plan a flower garden to make the area more attractive.

As a Constant Gardener:

The gardens that surround her property add a touch of beauty to Main Street. She maintains a real interest in gardening and has been a vital member of Valley Gardeners. Dot has won many awards for her beautiful flowers. She has served as program chairperson, club secretary for 2 years, helps and donates plants to the annual plant sale as well as the planning and caring for the gardens at the courtyard of the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville.

For Her Church:

As a faithful member of the United Baptist Church of Port Williams, Dorothy has served as auditor for over 35 years. In the past, she has been in charge of hall bookings for the church hall. She also has worked on the Ways & Means (fundraising committee) acting as chairperson for many years. This involved working countless hours at chowder luncheons and funeral receptions. For the last 4 years she has been on the church Decorating Committee and prior to that always donated flowers and plants to beautify the church. She is always one of the first to give a warm welcome to new members of the community.

The Port Williams Auxiliary has been grateful for her many donations of plants for their annual fundraiser and plant sale.

Seniors Club:

Since her retirement, Dot has been a vital member of the Port Williams Seniors Club, serving as President 1992-93, Treasurer and program organizer. She has participated in and acted on the Organizational Committee for the Nova Scotia Seniors Games and been involved with Seniors Expo.

Dorothy for many years has represented the Veterans at various functions on Remembrance Day and for the last few years lays the Village wreath at Acadia University.

Dot is a skilled bridge player and has participated in bridge marathons in the surrounding area.

Aside from her many contributions to organizations and institutions in her community, Dot always keeps in touch with her lifelong friends and supports them in times of illness. She also has been generous in transporting others to various events and meetings, often going far out of her way in all kinds of weather to see that others get there.

We are aware that we have probably omitted many more ways that Dot has been involved as a volunteer. Her humility, generosity with time and talent, creativity and loyalty provide a stellar example for the youth of the Port Williams and enrich the life of others both in and around her community.