Boomers May 2025

Volunteer of the Month: Keith Orchard by Peri Haye s

Sponsored By Royal Oak Senior Living Keith Orchard is an active volunteer in the Shedden community, having founded the Rosy Rhubarb Festival Committee. In 1992, as Keith offers, there was a meeting held with the Council about the prospect of building a new community centre -- improving the structure of the property and facilitating a space for gathering. Thereafter, the Rosy Rhubarb Festival Committee officially launched in 1993. As another member on this committee since inception, he highlights Jean Palmer, who previously owned the local grocery store in Shedden alongside her husband. Passionate about serving his community and supporting local, Keith details, “This is originally where we used to get our supplies.” Asked what inspired Keith’s initial involvement through the formation of this Committee, he graciously shares, “Gary and Eileen Carr {pioneers of this festival} were friends of ours, and they had called for help. My wife, Sandy Orchard, and I were already working on other vendor projects, and they considered us a strong team to gather vendor participants for this event. While not on the Committee, Sandy has been with me since Day One.” Moreover, Keith and Sandy’s son-in-law, as well as their grandchildren will contribute to the set-up of this celebration along with taking care of garbage collection throughout the event. Keith and his fellow volunteers are committed to leaving the space better than they found it by the weekend’s end. He offers what personally excites him about his continued participation, enthusing, “Getting things done, and creating a community that people want to live in.” Expressing his appreciation for the efforts of Vendor Coordinator, Tanya, and Event Coordinator, Sandy, Keith voices, “They are both real go-getters, and we are lucky to have them on board.” The Rosy Rhubarb Committee is a close-knit family, always accepting volunteers and grateful

for their continued growth. “This year,” Keith cheerfully announces, “we are hosting more vendors than ever before.” Email Sandy at sandy.rosyrhubarb@gmail.com with volun- teer interest and general inquiries about Rosy Rhubarb Festival. Further information about this cherished event is available through their rosyrhubarbfestival.com/home website. Over the years, Keith has also coached sports, pre- dominantly hockey and a girl’s ball team -- about which he proudly reflects, “We didn’t win in the first two years and by the third season, we couldn’t be beat.” To conclude, Keith is delighted to reveal that he is one of two recipients in Southwold to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal this January at a local ceremony atten- ded by dignitaries and community members. Keith was surrounded by support, with his loved ones in attendance: “How I feel is that I like to see people happy. I will brag about Rosy Rhubarb, but I don’t brag about myself. I am so honoured to be one of the 30,000 in Canada to receive this recognition.”

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Page 6 Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • May 2025

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