"I have to admit that this is a bittersweet time for me. The bitter part is: as you know, there has not been an EX for a number of years now. Over those years, the board of directors has been planning and preparing for the disposition of its assets, and that time has arrived. Thinking about that has jolted me to the realization that the Central Canada Exhibition Association will no longer exist. That is not a happy thought. It was an association that has been part of my life for many years and I enjoyed every minute of it.

 

The sweet part is: When a nonprofit organization stops functioning, that organization must disperse its assets to other nonprofit organizations working under the same mandate, in our case, agriculture. As a past president of the Central Canada Exhibition Association (CCE), I was given the privilege to choose an organization who met the criteria and was worthy and deserving of a share of our assets. I chose Osgoode Township Rural Museum.

 

You know, over the 120 years or so that the CCE operated, the residents of Osgoode Township supported it big time. They attended the EX, competed in the Homecraft and Baking sections, livestock and horse shows, poultry and swine shows, field crop and horticulture displays. They were amongst the other vendors selling their wares and food and were also musicians providing entertainment. But that's not all. Many men and women volunteered their time and expertise to sit on committees, serve on the board of directors, and over the years, a number of respected and productive residents came from Osgoode Township. So it is indeed a pleasure for me to present this cheque of $10,000 to Osgoode Township Rural Museum to support its programs and activities as it showcases the heritage and legacy of rural Osgoode."

 

We at the OTM would like to extend our extreme gratitude to the Central Canada Exhibition Association and all who had a part in bringing this donation to our organization.