By Darren Lum

On April 25 only a few weeks before seniors from Muskoka and Haliburton County are set to compete in the OSGA 55 plus senior summer games for district 11 conveners for the district gathered for a luncheon meeting at Rhubarb Restaurant in Carnarvon.

District 11’s Bev Kerr thanked them for their efforts in keeping the games going.

The conveners are responsible for organizing scheduling scoring determining the final placings  and securing all materials necessary for running their event. The conveners were given this year’s list of participants for their respective events as well as the gold silver and bronze medals.

The Haliburton/Muskoka District co-ordinator John Kerr on behalf of the executive thanked the conveners for running the summer games coming May and June.

Among them was Donna Teravainen a convener and registrar for the past 11 years.

She said her ongoing efforts come from how much the participants enjoy the experience.

“There are so many seniors. They really look forward to it. They enjoy it” she said.

The Haliburton/Muskoka District of the Ontario Senior Games 55 plus run 12 summer events: bid euchre bowling five-pin bridge contact and duplicate carpet bowling cribbage crokinole euchre golf pickleball shuffleboard tennis and walking prediction time.

The retiree who loves to volunteer is also a regular participant. She competes in the card game events and pickleball.

“There’s a lot of satisfaction. And some p eople are very gracious and thankful. … [W]hen you get a nice compliment it makes it worthwhile” Teravainen said.

Volunteers are always needed and welcomed she said. An ideal candidate for volunteering needs to be able to work with others.

After more than a decade working behind the scenes for the OSGA she is impressed by organizers’ effort.

“What really stands out for me is the dedication of the people that work to make it all happen. It’s incredible … what some people do” she said.

Teravainen has competed in the summer games since she was eligible. She said she loves the facility in Gravenhurst and the people who are welcoming.

Provincial and national results

Forty-six Haliburton/Muskoka participants competed against 1000 Ontario participants across Ontario from Aug. 10 to 12 in Mississauga last year. District 11 won six gold two silver and one bronze medal in golf pickleball and walking.  The nationals were held Aug. 21 to 24 of last year at St. John New Brunswick.

Nine Haliburton/Muskoka participants were on the Ontario team against nearly 2300 participants from across Canada. District 11 won four gold three silver and two bronze medals in golf walking and discus throw. Winter Games were held March 5 to 7 in Huntsville. Forty-seven Haliburton/Muskoka participants competed against 1000 Ontario participants. District 11 won one gold in Nordic skiing and one silver in the men’s hockey 65+.

The board of executives congratulated the medal winners at the Haliburton/Muskoka District Summer Games and the 20 medal winners at the 2018 provincials nationals and 2019 winter games.

“Congratulations to every one of the 283 participants that competed in our district games. The Haliburton/Muskoka District is one of the few Ontario districts that have increased in memberships. I feel friendly competition socializing and having fun is what the senior games is all about” Kerr wrote in an email.