Four more names were added to Navan’s Community Builders Wall last weekend during the east end village’s annual induction ceremony. The four inductees were former Cumberland Grads president and general manager Arnold Dashney, Navan Women’s Institute executive member and long-time volunteer Jill Noakes, and the husband-and-wife team of Daniel and Emmanuelle Seguin-Reid.
Arnold Dashney has been a driving force behind the sports, social fabric and infrastructure of Navan for more than three decades.
His most notable achievement was in bringing minor hockey to Navan. In 1974, he organized a group of local businessmen and other residents into purchasing the Rockland Boomers with himself acting as the club’s inaugural president and general manager. The team was rebranded as the Navan Grads and played in the Easter Ontario Jr. B Hockey League.
In 1991, after being renamed the Cumberland Grads to reflect the larger community, they were promoted to the Jr. A Central Canadian Hockey League in which they still compete to this day.
After he sold the club to the late Steve Barban in 2007, Dashney continued to be deeply involved in the community extending his time and energy to support the Cumberland Township Agricultural Society (CTAS), the Navan Fair and the Navan Lions Club.
Over the past 40 years, Jill Noakes has woven herself into the very fabric of this community as an educator, volunteer and community organizer. Her first involvement the community was as a teacher at Meadowview Public School which was later renamed Heritage Public School. After retiring from teaching, she continued to be involved at the school as a volunteer and initiated a public speaking program for senior students.
As a member of the Navan Women’s Institute (NWI) for more than 15 years, Noakes has served as president, vice-president and branch secretary. She is also a CTAS member and education director of the Navan Fair.
Over the years, Noakes has contributed to Derecho Relief efforts, organized food for the Bradley Cup, and represented the NWI at community events including the Navan Fall Fest and the Navan Fair, and she is one of the driving forces behind Navan’s Music in the Park program.
The final two names added to the Community Builders Wall this year are those of Dan Reid and Emmanuelle Seguin-Reid.
Since first moving to Navan in 2014, the couple have fundamentally transformed the physical landscape and social fabric of the village.
The crown jewel of their contributions to the community is the outdoor pavilion, which acts as event centre during the spring and summer and a covered outdoor rink in the winter.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS’ MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with a variety of local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION
SDBC TAPROOM SERIES presents Two Crows for Comfort with special guest Dan Kelly live and in concert from 7 p.m. Tickets $10 available at 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Monday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d’Arc. For more info visit 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
ORLÉANS FARMERS’ MARKET from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Ray Friel Recreation Complex on Tenth Line Road. Browse 130+ local vendors, grab a bite, and discover amazing handmade and local finds. Plenty of parking available.
