Community goes golfing for Tewathahita Walking Trail

On May 29 the Friends of Tewathahita Community Walking Trail hosted the first annual Tewathahita Community Walking Trail golf tournament at Cedar View Golf Course in Massena, NY. The event brought out 26 three member teams for a day full of golfing fun for a community wide benefit.

“There is definitely a need for a safe place for people to walk,” said sub-chief Ron LaFrance who is a big supporter of bringing the walking trail to fruition. The half mile walking trail located behind the Seniors Center in Hogansburg is technically complete. But, there is still a need to add aesthetics like benches and plaques. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around a $60-70000 range.

“My sister [Lynne Thompson] is involved in fundraising,” said Shelly Rourke who came out to enjoy the day. “She initiated the project, her and Kim [McElwain]. She asked us to play and I decided to come out. It’s a fundraiser and I like walking the trails.”

The tournament started with a shot gun start at 11am. Several contest holes and an outdoor concession stand manned by ACDP Program kept players rejuvenated and having fun all day long. At 4:40pm was a dinner with awards, Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle. Winners were: Closest to the Pin Robert Thompson and Lori Thompson; Longest Drive Trent Thomas and Elaine Cole; first place went to Rob McDonald, Raun Moon and Aaron Day and second place went to Mark Thomas, Trent Thomas and Steven Thomas.

The Friends of Tewathahita Community Walking Trail would like to continue hosting an annual golf tournament to help with costs associated with maintaining the trial. This year they raised an impressive $9000 to go towards completion of the project. They would like to thank all the volunteers, golfers and sponsors for making the event a success: the Corporate sponsors Tarbell Management Group, American Legion Post 1479, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Construction Crew Rob, Rick, Gunner, Teddy and Walt, Franklin County Public Health and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne; Gold Sponsors Rez Phones & Three Feathers Café, Luv’s Drive-thru Smoke Shop, Shumakers Consulting, ALCOA, Black Canyon Distribution and Fisher Associates Engineers and Surveyors; Silver Sponsors Gloria Arquette and Donaldson Funeral Home; Bronze sponsors CON TECH Building Systems Inc., J&J Brokers, Gerry Stone and Wall-to-Wall Home Décor-subdivision of Mohawk Plumbing; and in memorial of Mary, Louie and Wade LaFrance, Smith’s Lumber and Alexis Lauzon.