By Thomas Smith

From the stage of the Highlands Festival Theatre to Bobcaygeon Road during the Santa Claus Parade, there’s one face who would be recognized by visitors and locals alike. On Thursday, June 26, Jack Brezina was awarded the Ontario Senior of the Year Award by Minden Hills. Every municipality in Ontario is provided with one award they may give a senior that has enriched the social, cultural, or civic life of their community.

“I’d like to thank the municipality and everyone who was behind getting this handed to me,” said Brezina. “We came here in June of 1979, exactly 46 years ago. Of course, we came here because of the newspaper and it looked after us and I raised my family with the newspaper and with Pat’s help as well. We just decided this was a great place to stay and we’re still here.”

Brezina went on to thank his wife Pat for 52 years of marriage and support.

“There are lots of other people who are now seniors or other people in the community who are standing behind me, standing beside me, leading me on. I appreciate all their efforts and everything that goes into making a good community great.”