The first Chapleau Christmas Decoration Contest held on Facebook resulted in a tie, according to Kevin Walker, of "I'm so Chapleau" fame who organized it.
Just struck me that Kevin, who is from Chapleau, now lives in Fort Erie, but was able to connect to Chapleau through Facebook, and conduct a contest, no problem.
Kevin, who was born and raised in Chapleau, is the son of Billy and Betty-Lou (Simard) Walker, while his grandparents were Bill and Della Walker and Bud and Kay Simard. His brothers are Larry and Bob.
Out of about 40 entries of Christmas decorations in Chapleau all posted on a page set up by Kevin, the two winners were Claire Henderson and Roxann Lynn.
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| Claire entry |
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| Roxann entry |
Each received a security cam from Kevin.
He advised that Claire had the most likes on the site and Roxann the most likes with all the shared likes from posts not on the site resulting in a tie.
I chatted with Kevin on Messenger and he told me that he held the contest "out of love for my hometown".
"I got the idea one day from looking at all the decorations down here in the Niagara Region and thought about Chapleau and all the great houses and all the decorations on them."
He added that it brought back memories to when he was young driving around town with his parents and looking at houses, and felt it would be a good idea..
"I love Chapleau and everyone there."
Kevin's "I'm so Chapleau" comments were most popular so I went back to one he contributed about Christmas and the holiday season. His comments then summed up so well the reason he sponsored the Christmas Decoration Contest.
He wrote: "When I think about it. we are all so Chapleau!! Who doesn't remember their childhood in our small northern town without a smile! This year why not make an effort to have an old fashioned Chapleau Christmas and with that I would like to wish everyone a safe and festive Merry Christmas! Oh and a very Happy New Year."
His Facebook contest with photos of decorations from Chapleau certainly brought back fond memories to me and I extend my congratulations to Claire and Roxann, and all those who participated.
As many readers know I taught at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, BC, where I founded a college graduate program in New (Social) Media Communications, and even though I am now retired, am most interested in applications of social media. Kevin's contest
is a super example, and has great potential for the future to bring Chapleau folks together, no matter where we may live now.
In looking at the photos submitted, I thought of Red Skelton and something he said at the end of his television show. It went something like this, "If by chance you should remember something I've said,(or seen) and it brings a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose has been fulfilled."
Thanks Kevin. Happy New Year to All. My email is mj.morris@live.ca