Photo Candice Vetter
Ontario Agricultural Hall of Famers Dwayne Acres and Vera Mitchell share a laugh.
Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees honoured in Metcalfe
The community of Metcalfe and area was proud to honour their first Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees at the Metcalfe Fair Grounds Sunday, July 25.
Vera Mitchell, of Donevelyn Farms, and Dwayne Acres, of Maple Meadow Farms, were two of the three inductees chosen this year by the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame for service to the agricultural community.
Acres and Mitchell were inducted at a ceremony in Milton. But local residents wanted a chance to honour them, too, so they held a barbecue raising funds for the Winchester and District Memorial Hospital Close to Home Campaign, as an opportunity to show their appreciation of their neighbours. The event was filled with local dignitaries and celebrities, including funny man Paul Mussell who emceed the afternoon, Bill Tupper representing MPP Lisa MacLeod, Councillor Doug Thompson, Dianne Crummy from the hospital, and MP Pierre Poilievre.
Plaques were presented by every level of government, as well as flowers to Vera Mitchell and to Dwayne’s wife and partner, Laura Acres. According to Councillor Thompson, Dwayne didn’t want flowers.
The Metcalfe Fire Department ran the barbecue and the food was served by 4-H members. Great entertainment came from the Gallagher Family, who are composed of Dwayne and Laura’s daughter Debbie, her husband and children. They take to the road to perform just like Dwayne and family once did, when they performed under the name the Acres Family Singers.
