With the help of a grant from New Horizon, Gail started the Komoka & Area 55+ Club and had around a dozen people play. “Once I introduced pickleball to them, they were hooked.” The Club now has over 300 members hailing from Komoka, Kilworth, Dela- ware, Mount Brydges, Riverbend, By- ron, and beyond. The Club has hosted pickleball tour - naments for the 55+ Summer Games. They also host information sessions and clinics for coaches, new players, and school-age children interested in
Former Byron Resident at the Heart of Pickleball
Gail Prior spent her childhood in Byron back when it was still a village. Her parents were always active and quick to involve Gail and her siblings in the many activities available, whether it was team sports, skating, or skiing at Boler Mountain. As they grew older, Gail’s parents introduced them to camping, can- oeing, sailing, and scuba diving. “Seeing my parents stay active well into their 80s influenced me to follow in their footsteps,” says Gail. Once she retired, Gail took that inspiration and made it her mission to encourage other adults over 55 to stay active by organizing and
learning something they can play with their family and friends. For more information about the Komoka & Area 55+ Club, contact Gail at gprior@rogers.com. Closer to home in Byron, the Optimist Club of Byron is hosting a pickleball tournament in support of Childcan. The singles portion took place at the beginning of October. The doubles tournament will take place on Saturday, November 15, at the Byron Optimist Community Centre on Norman Avenue. For more information, email optimistbyron@gmail.com. the opportunity to show the ethics and values of the Canadian Armed Forces.” Of all his experiences, Jim's strongest memories come from the people he served with. “The best part was the camaraderie,” he reflected. “The people you serve with become more than co-workers—they’re like family. No one was ever left alone. Even in Afghanistan, we were never allowed to go anywhere by ourselves, not even to work on the aircraft on the secured flight line.” Looking back, Jim says his time in the military changed how he sees the world. “My service taught me that I’m here to serve others, not to be served,” he said. “I don’t look at things as how they benefit me anymore—I think about how they benefit the greater population. The discipline and perspective I gained helped me find my place in life.” Today, Jim shares a message of encouragement for younger generations. “Everyone has a place in this world, and it’s often more than they think it is,” he said. “For me, I found that place in the military. My advice is to try things that are outside your comfort zone. The time I spent in service was the proudest of my life—I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve made friends I’ll know forever and family I’d do anything for.”
Gail Prior and Pat Kelly, the Komoka & Area 55+ Club’s oldest member at 91. Pat has been playing with the Club for over 10 years.
coordinating activities they could take part in. This effort led Gail to bring pickleball to her new home community in Komoka. “The idea came to me in 2011 when I realized there wasn’t much for the older generation to do in the area, especially once they were retired,” she explains. A Life of Service: Jim Armstrong’s Story Veteran and long-time Byron Legion member Jim Armstrong has dedicated much of his life to service—a path inspired by his family’s deep military roots. “The inspiration for me to join the military comes from my family,” Jim shared. “My father and grandfather both served in the army. My grandfather served in World War I with the 20th Expeditionary Force and again in World War II as part of the veteran home guard. My father served in the Royal Canadian Regiment in the 1950s.”
Following in their footsteps, Jim joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1996. “I didn’t quite fit into any job I tried,” he recalled with a smile. “I talked to my father about joining, and he told me to go into the Air Force—and that’s what I did.”
During his 21 years of service, Jim was stationed at several bases across Canada, including CFB Trenton, CFB Cold Lake, and CFB Winnipeg. “I worked as an Aviation Systems Technician,” he explained. “Basically, I fixed airplanes—everything from the engines and airframe to the electrical systems. I was also trained on the safety equipment pilots use and on the gear needed when aircraft incidents happen in rough terrain.” His work took him around the world, repairing aircraft and representing Canada abroad. “I was privileged to travel to many countries for training and repair missions,” Jim said. “It gave me
Page 12 Byron Villager November 2025
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