CBS Kin Club cuts the ribbon on new pavilion
Members of the CBS Kin Club were glad to cut the ribbon last Saturday on a new pavilion that will provide comfort for people attending events at the Parsons Rotary Clubhouse softball field in Seal Cove and also honour former members of the service club. On hand for the ceremony were, starting in the front row, from left: Kin National President Marley Hanishewsky, Lisa Smith, Diane Butler, CBS Kin President Lilly Moyles, Zone Kin Deputy Governor Denisine Nolan, Rosie Cairns; and in the second row, from left: Terry Janes, Sharon Maher, Neta Kelloway, Jill Taylor, Bryce Moyles, Roger Cairns, Edie Sharpe, Tracy Lawrence, Councillor Gerard Tilley; and in the backrow, from left: Don Butler, MHA Barry Petten, MP Ken McDonald, Lorne Morgan, Christopher Stone, Kin Vice Governor Craig White, Reg Lawrence, and one of the pavilion’s co-sponsors, Rhonda Nugent of The Cooperators. Olivia Bradbury photo
By Olivia Bradbury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It was probably the most anticipated date on their calendar all year, so members of the Conception Bay South Kin Club were pretty happy last Saturday to cut the ribbon to officially open their new pavilion outside Parsons Rotary Clubhouse in Seal Cove.
It was a big accomplishment for a fairly small group. The CBS Kin Club, which was founded in 1977, is comprised of six life members and 11 active members.
“Our main goal is serving our community’s greatest need,” said club member Rosie Cairns. For Cairns and the other Kin members, those needs are many. The club’s range of activities include Coats for Community; Chuck a Puck; Salvation Army Kettles; the Santa Claus parade, at which they collect groceries for those in need; Kin Care Bags for schoolchildren; and Kin Kindness Day, a day in February when the club gives out gift cards throughout CBS. And that’s just some of their events and causes.
The construction of the CBS Kin Club Pavilion was sponsored by Co-operators and LeDrew Lumber, two CBS businesses. CBS Kin Club chairperson Loren Morgan explained they had initially planned to build a gazebo. However, after suggestions from the Town, Kin members, and Neil Pinksen of LeDrew Lumber, it was decided to build a pavilion instead as it would be more accessible, particularly for wheelchair users. Morgan also heard from the local minor baseball association, which uses the adjacent Parsons field, that they sometimes rent tents during some tournaments to provide comfort for the elderly, people with physical disabilities, and others who might need certain accommodations. Now those spectators can instead use the club’s pavilion, which is located next to the baseball field.
The CBS Kin Club Pavilion is dedicated to deceased club members, which is declared on a plaque on the pavilion. The plaque also specifically honours life member Wayne Fitzpatrick, who was the club’s longest-serving founding member. As a Kin Club member, Fitzpatrick served his community for 47 years until his passing in August 2023.
“We’re honouring members who passed on who gave a lifetime of service to the community,” said Morgan. “And they’re still serving the community because where their memorial is, it’s out there, it’s wheelchair accessible, so now people can go up there with their wheelchairs. They’re out of the sun, they’re out of the rain.”
CBS Kin Club co-chair Diane Butler, who emceed the opening event, read aloud the names of deceased members, and called for a moment of silence during the dedication. “We dedicate the pavilion in loving memory of departed CBS Kin,” said Butler. “Our heartfelt thank you for your service.”
Among the special guests and speakers were CBS Mayor Darrin Bent, councillors Gerard Tilley and Rex Hillier, Avalon MP Ken McDonald and Conception Bay South MHA Barry Petten. Bent commended the CBS Kin Club, calling it an amazing partner with the town.
“It really warms the heart to see firsthand the effect that the efforts of the Kin Club make on people,” said Bent.
McDonald, a lifelong resident of CBS, cited the pavilion as a sign of the progress the town has made over the years. “To see how it’s evolved and grown, it’s absolutely fantastic,” McDonald said. “It helps Conception Bay South be a better place.”
The ribbon on the new pavilion was cut by Kin Canada National President Marley Hanishewsky and CBS Kin Club President Lilly Moyles.