In an event billed as “Trees and Quackers” Clifford Rotary Club and Clifford and District Horticultural Society teamed up to celebrate Arbour Day and the Rotary Duck Race on April 30 at the Rotary Park in Clifford.
Rotary president Bruce Kaufman and Rotarian Philip Baumgarten climbed into the canoe and set adrift in the creek to keep a watchful eye and paddle on the yellow and the green rubber ducks that floated along the current under the covered bridge to cross the finish line. The 400 ducks were captured and counted with nine ducks generating cash rewards.
The first duck to cross the line was Duck No. 365 earning $200 for Ron Barber of Waterloo.
Winners of $75 included: Mike Smint of Listowel, Nyle Cook of Clifford, Clarke Richardson of Clifford, Gary Deeves of Durham, Jessica Deeves of Clifford, Niamh Mullan of Clifford, Salissa Cook of Clifford and Tina Smith of Clifford.
Rotary banners waved in welcome to over 75 adults, youth, toddlers, dog lovers and their pets who participated in the event.
Many picked up a shovel, chose a tamarack or spruce, and planted a seedling in the park.
Society president Vic Palmer invited Minto Mayor and Warden of Wellington County George Bridge, MP John Nater, and MPP Randy Pettapiece to officially plant a tree sponsored through a tree grant from the Ontario Horticulture Association.
Palmer encouraged everyone who planted a tamarack seedling in the park to take a spruce seedling to plant at home. The seedlings were provided through the Wellington County Green Legacy program.
