About 100 family members gathered Friday night at Elliot Lake's Moose Family Centre for the selection of the City's Grandmother of the Year, 2019.
The judges' choice was Janet Pearse, nominated by her granddaughter Emily Pearse, a grade 4 student.
"I think she should win because she cares so much about everyone." Emily said in her letter. "When you are hurt, she will come and help you. When you are sick, she comes and tells us to lay down. She is the best."
Janet Pearse was selected from a group of seven Elliot Lake grandmothers who had been nominated by their families.
Other entrants included Penny Bain, nominated by her grandson Patryk Helpin (Grade 4) and granddaughter Peyton Stevenson (Grade 1), Tammy Brown, nominated by her granddaughter Havana Nebenionquit (JK), Lise Bouchard nominated by Charlee Young (JK), Huguette Fabris, nominated by her grandson Pierre-Julien Daoust (Grade 8), Mavis Negrych, nominated by her granddaughter Madeline Negrych (Grade 3) and Patricia Marshall, nominated by her granddaughter Teagan Creor (JK).
The youngsters had the opportunity to honour a grandmother for the "Grandmother of the Year 2019". The award was created to recognize the importance of grandmothers in young people's lives.
In their nomination letters the grandchildren included what they thought was most important about their relationships, what activities they do together, how they feel when they're together and why their grandmother should win the award.
The event was created and organized for the Elliot Lake Moose Family Centre by Joanna Moggy.
Grandmothers, grandchildren and their families all received gifts and treats thanks to donations from local businesses. The contest was also strongly supported by the Moose Lodge members and a number of volunteers including Darin Moggy, Fred and Marina Thomson, Paul and Jo-Anne Dupont Horwath, Adam and Meghen Fleming Macdonald, Norm Mathie and Helen Lefebvre and Michelle from the Dollar Store and More.
The VFJ/ELSS 2019 Prom Committee, Jane McDonald and Tracy, provided hall decorations.
Musical entertainment for a dance that followed the festivities was supplied by the band Highway 108.
Grandmother of the Year contest winner Janet Pearse will ride in the lead float in this year's Elliot Lake Heritage Parade.