(Gananoque, ON – January 2, 2025) In Gananoque, Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion brought in the new year with about 40 people in attendance for its annual Levée. A time-honoured tradition, the much-anticipated annual Levée in Gananoque (from the French “lever”, meaning “to raise”) has brought greetings and good wishes to residents, and honours to a few outstanding members of society since 1927.

This year’s dignitaries in attendance included Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, Leeds and Thousand Islands (TLTI) Mayor Karina Smith-Gatcke, Branch 92 president Bob Howard and his wife Shirley (branch secretary/treasurer), and Ladies Auxiliary First Vice President Kate Lasher. Unable to attend due to prior commitments were MP Michael Barrett and MPP Steve Clark, both of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

“In 2020 we decided that Levées will start with the meet and greet at 11 a.m rather than 10 a.m. just to benefit those who appreciated the evening hours they had the night before,” said Anne Parker, first vice-president of Branch 92 and emcee. “We welcome all of you who came out to start the New Year with us.”

Gananoque paid tribute to the memories of the 84 men from the town who died in service during the two World Wars and Afghanistan, as well as honouring those members who had passed on in 2024 – Fred Crouch, Sally Moore, and Murray Salter.

Speeches were made to greet the New Year by Mayors Smith-Gatcke and Beddows, with greetings from both MP Barrett and MPP Clark read out. All sent their good wishes to the community as well as recapping their achievements of the part year and their goals for the next.

The Ladies Auxiliary (LA) made a short presentation about their accomplishments of the previous year and presented a cheque to the Legion. The LA provides money to the Legion every month and had made an earlier donation of $5,000 in addition to that commitment.

“I would like to speak about the hard-working Ladies Auxiliary volunteers who successfully raised funds through the year in this community with events such as Friday Lunches, Celebrations of Life, Bingos, Special Community Dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and private catering,” said Kate Lasher, LA first vice president. “The funds the Ladies Auxiliary raises are annually donated to community groups including the Breakfast Clubs at Linklater and Saint Joseph’s schools, the food bank, the Salvation Army, the Christmas Toy Drive and Wheels of Care as part of its mission to support Legion 92 and the veterans. The Ladies Auxiliary also donates monthly to the Legion throughout the year as well as annually to the Veterans Park, the bursaries fund, the Veteran’s Wish List, Homes for Heroes, Service Dogs for Vets, and homeless veterans. On behalf of the hard-working volunteers in Legion 92 Ladies Auxiliary I’m presenting a check for an additional $7,000 to the Royal Canadian legion 92.”

A big part of the Levée is the presentation of special recognition to the Legionnaire of the Year and an Honouree of the Year. This year’s recipients were Alf Read as Legionnaire of the Year and the Gananoque Seniors Association.

“Our 2025 Legionnaire of the Year is Alfred Read,” said Parker. “Alfred Read joined Gananoque branch of the Royal Canadian legion in 2005. He is enthusiastic about all aspects of our branch and participates in many activities as well as being an organizer.

“His main interest is in supporting veterans. For the past nine years Alfred has served on our branch executive as our Service Officer in which he represents the Ontario Command and Dominion Command concerns raised by veterans. These often require considerable research on his part and visits to a veteran’s home.

“The many Gananoque Legion activities Alfie supports include working on our monthly brunches which are important to raising funds for our branch and to offer service to our community. For seven years he served as the Branch Honors and Awards Chair which recognized the services of members, he organizes branch and zone golf tournaments, is a member of our finance committee examining how our branch can meet the challenges it faces and is an avid supporter of Remembrance Day activities and our Poppy Day.

“Several years ago, Alfie was awarded a well-earned life membership in the legion.”

Cliff Edwards accepted the Honouree of the Year award on behalf of the Gananoque Seniors Association.

“Although a legion committee selects the honoree of the year, the award is meant to recognize an individual or organization which has done much work to improve this community,” said Parker. “Organizations such as the three elementary school breakfast programs, the Gananoque Food Bank, and the Salvation Army have been recognized. Political leaders such as the late member of parliament Gordon Brown who by their hard work have made Gananoque a better community. Other individuals have been recognized for their work in our community including Legion presidents Cliff Weir and Ken Stewart, and Legion Executive member Joanne Lancaster for their extensive work throughout our community, including the Legion.

“The 2025 Gananoque Honoree of The Year is representative of the many individuals who quietly go about their work in our community without seeking or receiving much recognition for their valuable work. Today we are honored to recognize the Gananoque Seniors Association as the Honoree of The Year.”

 The event also included cheque presentations. The Legion donated $1,000 to the Gananoque Seniors Association and $500 each to the Salvation Army, Gananoque Food Bank and Wheels of Care.

“Today is the time that we honor all the moments big and small that shape us – the laughter that brightens our days, the tears that taught us resilience, the connection that deepens and the dreams that we carry forward to 2025,” said Parker. “We wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year.”