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Harrietta ( Pilon ) Bretzler, 2003 Kemptville grad, has been awarded a 2020 4-H Ontario Outstanding Leader Award.This award recognizers 4-H club leaders who have volunteered with 4-H for less that three years and are doing outstanding things for the youth in their clubs. Harrietta is known for her warm smile and excitement that brightens the eyes of youth who learned new skills they didn’t think they were capable of. Kemptville grads from 2003 will remember their classmate who was President of the 2003 College Royal. 

The Pilon and Bretzler families have many connections with Kemptville College. Harrietta’s husband Frank graduated from Kemptville in ‘95 and his two brothers also graduated from Kemptville. Ludwig in ‘94 and Jurger in ‘96 

Harrietta’ mom, Bernadine, graduated in 1977, her brother Jean-Jacques in ‘02 and her sister Valerie in ‘07. 

Harrietta and her husband Frank farm on the family dairy farm located in Crysler. Harietta enjoyed her many years in 4-H activities and now her children are are benefitting from the 4-H programs in Stormont County. 

In the picture, Rylan, Myla, Calum and Adella are standing in front of Frank and Harietta.

Bruce Butter from Northumberland County, has been acclaimed for his fourth term as the Ontario Federation of Agriculture Director for Hastings, Lennox & Addington, Northumberland and Prince Edward Counties. Bruce graduated from Kemptville Agricultural College in 1969 and is a beef and crop farmer. He has been an OFA member since 1988 and is going into his ninth year as a director.  Congratulations and thank you for for your dedication.

Marg Milne, ‘57 grad, has been in self  isolation for 100 days. She has a closed bubble of friends who have also  remained in isolation. Marg’s doctors are hopeful for a vaccine which would then allow her more freedom. She is very thankful for helpful friends , neighbours and her pharmacy.

Foster Family Farm had wonderful strawberries this year. They were so delicious that when you started eating the basket was just about empty before you had time to take a picture. Shirley and Gregg Foster, both ’69 grads started their family farm over 40 years ago. Now the “family’ includes their son Mel and his wife Davonne. You can find out more on their web site. Corn is on the way!

With Covid 19 slowing down a bit, many alumni and their partners want to get more active. Pictured below is Carol Patterson, wife of alumni Ford Patterson ‘59. After falling from her bike, her daughter took her to the hospital. When Carol told the doctor she fell off her bike, he wanted to know how fast she was travelling. If you check out the picture carefully, you will see why the doctor burst out in laughter. Yes you see correctly – it is a stationary bike. Carol said she will be in perfect shape to once again volunteer at our 2021 reunion. 

Mervyn and Emily Tripp recently celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary. This is special for the Kemptville College Alumni since Mervyn graduated from Kemptville Agricultural School in 1939 and at 101 is our oldest living grad. Emily and Mervyn were married on May 24th, 1947. Emily had graduated as a nurse from the Civic Hospital in 1946. Mervyn farmed with his father Robert on the farm near Fitzroy Harbour. They had had four children and later in life their son Bob took over the farm. Both Emily and Mervyn were active in their community with music and sports. They now live at the Almonte Country Haven . Janice and her brothers, Bill, Dave and Bob and their families held a celebration at the Almonte Country Haven. Janice provided us with the special pictures. You can read all about it in the May 25th, 2020 Ottawa Citizen, where they made the front page!