REGIONAL — Lanark County Council honoured four community leaders on Nov. 12 during its regular council meeting with the annual Awards of Excellence ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions in community service, recreation and sport, volunteerism and local advocacy.
Warden Toby Randell said the awards, created in 2005, were established to thank residents and organizations “for their generosity and exceptional work that helps to make Lanark County an incredible community.”
“This is a great opportunity to acknowledge all the great things that are happening within Lanark County,” Randell said. “Our communities are better because people step up and give back.”
This year’s recipients were Erin Lee, Isabel Lowry, Korine Jordan and Sheila Gibson who will have their names added to the county’s plaque of honour and recognized on its website.
Erin Lee, Community Service
Erin Lee, executive director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support since 2007, received the Award of Excellence in the community service category for her long-standing leadership in anti-violence advocacy. She was nominated by Valerie Martin, and supported by Jean Rogers.
Lee was recognized for her work addressing intimate partner violence, domestic abuse and rural safety challenges faced by women and children. Randell noted her efforts in spearheading initiatives such as the See It, Name It, Change It public education campaign, Perseverance Pantry to address food insecurity, and the Victim Advocate Program, developed with community partners to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lee organized partnerships with local hotels so women and children could leave their abusers safely. She also led second-stage housing programs that help families transition from shelter to long-term independence.
Supporters described Lee as a “powerhouse for change” and a “visionary,” praising her role in pushing for the county’s declaration of intimate partner violence as an epidemic, a resolution adopted by more than 100 other municipalities across Ontario.
Lee was unable to attend the ceremony. The award was accepted by Tess Powter, program services director at Interval House.
Isabel Lowry, Recreation and Sports
Seventeen-year-old Isabel Lowry of Almonte received the Award of Excellence in recreation and sports for her achievements on the world stage as a sprint canoe athlete. She was nominated by her brother MacPherson Lowry, with a letter of support from Coach Pat Lester.
A member of the Carleton Place Canoe Club, Lowry has been paddling since age 11. This summer she became a three-time junior world champion in Portugal, earning three gold medals. She also represented Team Ontario at the Canada Games in St. John’s, N.L, winning one silver and three gold medals, and served as flag bearer for the 514-member team.
At national team trials in Regina, she earned two silvers and a gold. Lowry also returned from competitions in Asia this year with three more gold medals for Team Canada.
Her coach says she is on track toward her goal of competing in the Olympics. Supporters highlighted her work ethic, leadership, resilience, and the inspiration she provides to younger athletes, particularly girls entering the sport, with women’s sprint canoe only recently added to the Olympic program in 2020.
Korrine Jordan, Community Service
Korrine Jordan, founder of Willow Creek Stables in Tay Valley Township, received an Award of Excellence in the community service category for her work rescuing Newfoundland ponies and creating a supportive environment for volunteers, children and people with special needs. She was nominated by Robin Norris with a letter of support from Meagan Winegarden.
For eight years, Willow Creek operated as a Newfoundland Pony rescue, rehoming 90 ponies and horses while providing sanctuary for seniors and special-needs animals of this endangered Canadian heritage breed. Jordan also ran educational programs, pony camps, open farm days and therapeutic visits.
Supporters described Jordan as compassionate, hardworking and dedicated to empowering young people. Many of her volunteers are young women who learn animal care and gain confidence through the experience.
Jordan, who also serves as a Tay Valley Township councillor, has paused public programming this year while undergoing cancer treatment. Volunteers and community members have stepped in to care for the animals and support the farm’s operating costs, underscoring its importance as “a gem in Tay Valley.”
Sheila Gibson, Volunteerism
Sheila Gibson of Carleton Place received the Award of Excellence in volunteerism for more than two decades of quilting and community service. She was nominated by her husband Ken Gibson and supported by Anita Ruus and Ann Cornell.
A member of the Lanark County Quilters Guild since 2003, Gibson has contributed hundreds of quilts to residents at Lanark Lodge, women and children at Interval House, family and children’s services, first responders at accident scenes, and newborns at Almonte General Hospital.
Supporters noted how her quilts provide warmth and comfort to seniors, people undergoing chemotherapy and families in crisis.
Gibson also volunteers with the Carleton Place and District Horticultural Society, where she helps maintain and beautify the grounds of the Victoria School Museum each week.
She is described as modest, dedicated and generous with her time, teaching quilting techniques, suggesting patterns and ensuring each piece meets a high standard.
Lanark County Council paused following the ceremony by congratulating all four recipients and thanking them for “the legacy you leave for others” and their contributions to community life across the county, the warden said. “You have improved the lives of many.”
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