December 17, 2011: 25th Anniversary Relay Stops in Iron Bridge

The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay Team rolled into Iron Bridge on its way to Thessalon on a chilly, but  sunny, Saturday in December.  The first Medal-Bearer in Iron Bridge, Kimberly Irvine, received the Rick Hansen Medal from the Relay’s Endurance Athlete Tyrone Henry, and began her portion of the relay at Highway 17 and Chiblow Lake Road, near the Iron Bridge Arena.  She proceeded along the highway, turning onto Clarissa Street and ending in front of the Municipal Office.  In front of an enthusiastic crowd she then exchanged the Rick Hansen Medal with her daughter, Tia Martin.

During a brief welcome ceremony, current Councillor, and former Mayor, Ted Linley, thanked everyone who came out to support the medal bearers and the relay team.  He stated that 25 years previously when Rick Hansen passed through Iron Bridge on the original Man-in-Motion Tour, Ted, as principal of Iron Bridge Public School, and all of the children had greeted Rick with lit candles to welcome him to the Village.

The Relay resumed as the crowd followed Tia Martin along her course to the highway where she completed the medal exchange with the Huron Shores Medal Bearer Mrs. Elva Arnill.  Elva, assisted by her daughter Mary Lynne, completed the approximately 300 metre distance, across the bridge to the 3 Aces Restaurant.  Elva was congratulated by friends and family prior to returning the medal to Endurance Athlete Tyrone Henry, who would bear the medal to Thessalon.