PUSLINCH – A socially distanced, masked and strictly-regulated outdoor Memorial and “In Honour” Ceremony was held at the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre farm in Puslinch Township on Sept. 27.
This second annual event, held at the new Therapy Forest, was a very different scene than last year, with all invited guests signing in, wearing masks and socially distanced in “family bubbles,” but with the privilege of a wide open space to gather on the farm.
Officiating were Salvation Army Officers Majors Peter and Lee-Ann van Duinen, accompanied by seven members of the Salvation Army Band, all from the Guelph Corps.
Greetings were expressed by Puslinch Mayor James Seeley, Guelph MPP and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and counsellor Donna Reid, representing the City of Cambridge.
Speakers expressed gratitude for the work of Sunrise in the community and were impressed by the seeding of the 20-acre therapy and interpretive forest in support of the environment.
Family and friends were honoured, as Peter reminded those gathered about “the importance of remembering those who have gone before us, and those who have made a positive impact on our lives.”
Guelph Children’s author Jean Little, who died in February this year, was also remembered.
The “Jean Little Reading Circle” was dedicated in her memory, as a permanent reminder in the forest of her friendship and kindness to the Sunrise children over the years. One of Little’s signed books was donated to the Puslinch Library.
A new initiative to honour front line and essential workers, which has been named the COVID -19 Circle of Trees was announced. As the trees grow this circle will ensure these workers are remembered by future generations.
Following the ceremony families expressed their gratitude for the event, at a time when everyone is living with unprecedented daily challenges and restrictions.
Also in attendance was Wellington-Halton Hills MPP and Speaker of the Legislature Ted Arnott, who, following the Memorial and In Honour Ceremony, recognized an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF ) grant of $138,300 to Sunrise for an important retrofit to the indoor riding arena.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre,” Arnott said. “I also want to thank the staff and volunteers of Sunrise for all they do to help families with special needs .”
The work completed by this grant has raised the winter temperature in the arena to above freezing, and significantly lowered the summer temperature due to extensive roof insulation, when before there was only a metal roof.
Additional ventilation projects were also completed.
Sunrise, like so many other charities, has had to cancel all fundraising and appreciation events this year due to the pandemic.
The gathering on Sunday presented the opportunity to thank donors who shared their skills and expertise to care for the Sunrise therapy horses over a period of eight years including blacksmiths Paul Fischbach, Cathy Lesperance, Michele McCrae and Tristan Miles.
Fischbach, Lesperance and McCrae were present to receive framed Sunrise horse prints – the original painted by Everton artist Susan Strachan Johnson — bearing appreciation plaques for their service to Sunrise. Miles’ was delivered later.
When their own practices became busier the donors, found three new blacksmiths to donate their time and expertise to Sunrise.
“Everyone at Sunrise was grateful for the opportunity to remember and honour so many significant people in our lives last Sunday afternoon,” officials said.
