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8- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 25, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Meeting people was the best part of the job Continued from page 3 eight and cycled across Canada last summer to raise funds for neuroblastoma research. "I love interviewing people, writing about people, interacting with people. That's the best part," she said. "I've met so many interesting people, almost too many to list," she added, including highlights like Pierre Berton, Margaret Laurence, Susan Aglukark and Canada's funniest weatherman, David Phillips, who had his audience "rolling in "Masonry & Fireplace Design Specialists" Tired of Your Old Fireplace? Before After We can change the look with our "IN HOUSE" experts on staff: · mason · gas fitters · electricians · cabinet makers 406 Speers Rd., Oakville(across from Rona Lansing) 905-337-2066 VISIT THE SPECIALISTS TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE www.cobblestonembers.ca the aisles" during a speech. "I had fun over the years, met some great people, made good friends," said Blokhuis. One of her story contacts became a life-long friend, Joan Gibb, now president of the Canadian Cancer Society's Oakville unit. "We've been through a lot together, mainly happy times," said Gibb, who will be visiting Blokhuis out East once she gets settled. "I'm happy ­ I mean, how could you not be happy for her? It's a great opportunity. But I'm sad that she's leaving," said Gibb. "What a void in the community, with so many people that just admire her and have respected the way she writes and her very community-oriented and personal stories that she could bring out in those profiles." Mayor Ann Mulvale, another longtime friend of Blokhuis', echoed that thought. "I would say that she is the personification of an outstanding community reporter," said Mulvale. "She is emphatic, genuinely interested in the activities of the not-for-profit sector and various community groups. She has been a tremendous ambassador for the newspaper and I believe will be sorely missed as a result." Recognizing Blokhuis' dedication to the community, Gibb nominated her for "She has been a tremendous ambassador for the newspaper and I believe will be sorely missed as a result." Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale Halton Woman of the Year award in 2000. "We were at the Glen Abbey that night for the dinner, and it didn't matter if Wilma won or lost. But it was the joy of a lot of the community's businesswomen lining up to congratulate Wilma for being nominated," said Gibb. "If I did anything to try to say thank you for all her work, it was that, to nominate her." Blokhuis has also received a lot of recognition over the years for her writing, including two first-place Sport and Recreation awards from the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) and several OCNA honourable mentions, among other awards. And when it comes to thank-yous, Blokhuis has received a lot of those from the community, especially lately, from friends and story contacts thanking her for her work. But friends aren't the only ones thanking her. "I got an e-mail from somebody I don't know, who wanted to thank me for the articles I've written over the years." And the years, she admits, have flown by. "I think I've evolved and matured, grown up and grown old here," she said, smiling. Blokhuis plans to keep hiking and pursuing other hobbies while in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, including cycling, skiing, photography and making stained glass, and she also hopes to do freelance work, join the local Kiwanis club and volunteer in the area. One of her older sisters and brotherin-law, plus a brother and a niece and her husband have already moved there, and Blokhuis will be hitting the road for the 15-18 hour drive along with her youngest sister in early November. A 20-year member of the Halton Outdoor Club, she might be back soon for a trip to the Grand Canyon and promises she'll "keep in contact through phone and e-mail." So, what will Blokhuis be thinking when she leaves The Oakville Beaver office for the last time on Friday? "Freedom 55," she said, laughing. "Goodbye and thank you." The Oakville Beaver is throwing a farewell party for Wilma Blokhuis tonight from 5 ­ 8 p.m. at Ste. Antonio's Bistro, which is next door to The Oakville Beaver office, 467 Speers Rd. Oakville residents are invited to stop by to help honour her many years of dedicated coverage of the community. Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate Landscape Master Plan Public Meeting - November 1, 2006, 7-8:30 p.m. Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate, 8 Navy Street A public meeting will be held to discuss the Landscape Master Plan for Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate. The firm of Wendy Shearer Landscape Architect Limited has completed a number of meetings with stakeholders and Town staff and will present the proposed site plan. The Master Plan will take into consideration both the history and current operations of the grounds. Prior to the meeting, please join us for a walking tour of the Erchless grounds from 6-6:45 p.m. Those interested in the walking tour should gather at the Museum entrance courtyard off Navy Street. For more information, contact Susan Crane at the Oakville Museum at 905-845-6601 ext 5016. mailed to the Clerk's Department, Town of Oakville, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6J 5A6. Applicants are responsible to ensure that the Clerk's Department has received their application. Town Council will appoint qualified candidates for citizen vacancies based on consideration of recommendations from its' Striking Committee. Please note that all applicants will be notified of the final determination of their application by mail. For more information about the appointment procedure, please call Colleen Tino, Clerk's Department at 905-8456601, ext. 3136, or email ctino@oakville.ca. Join a Town of Oakville Committee and Make a Difference Oakville property owners and residents, 18 years of age or older, are invited to apply to sit on a Town committee. There are vacancies on the following committees: · Accessibility Advisory Committee (2 positions) · Bronte District Advisory Committee (1 position) · Committee of Adjustment (Please note the qualifications required as posted on our website) (5 positions) · Cultural Advisory Committee (2 positions) · Harbours Advisory Committee (Please indicate on the application if you are a boat owner) (3 positions) · Heritage Oakville (3 positions) · Oakville Public Library Board (9 positions) · Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (2 positions) · Seniors Advisory Committee (2 positions) · Taxicab Review Committee (1 position) Further details and the committee description can be obtained on the Town's website at www.oakville.ca or from the Clerk's Department of the Oakville Municipal Building. Eligible persons can fill out an application at the Oakville Municipal Office, Clerk's Department or on-line at www.oakville.ca/advisory.asp. Application forms must be received by Wednesday, November 1, 2006, either online or Oakville will be Celebrating its 150th Birthday Next Year! Whether you've lived in Oakville for eighty years or eight months, we'd like to know what your fondest memory of Oakville is. In 100 words or less, please share your memories with us. Be creative! Enter for a chance to win Oakville prizes courtesy of the Town of Oakville and the Oakville Public Library. We are also looking for "now and then" photos, so send them along as well. Remember to include a return address if you would like them back. Submission deadline is November 27, 2006. "Memories of Oakville" can be sent by e-mail to communications@oakville.ca, by mail to Town of Oakville, Memories of Oakville c/o Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 310, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6J 5A6, or by fax to 905-338-4259. Please note that "Memories of Oakville" and photos may be used in future Town and Oakville Public Library publications, websites and at 150th Celebration events throughout 2007. "Memories of Oakville" is a joint partnership with the Oakville Public Library. USE OUR LOCAL DIRECTORY www.oakvillebusinessdirectory.com Powered By www.ylm.ca For further information on Town services please visit www.oakville.ca 1225 Trafalgar Road, PO Box 310, Oakville, ON L6J 5A6 Tel. 905.845.6601