Mississippi Mills’ Isabel Lowry Among Lanark County Awards of Excellence Recipients

Press Release – Lanark County

Lanark County Council honoured four citizens for their outstanding contributions to the community as part of the annual Awards of Excellence on Wednesday, November 12.   

The annual awards recognize and celebrate citizens or organizations that have made a significant and/or extraordinary contribution to Lanark County. This year, council recognized Erin Lee of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support in the Community Service category, Isabel Lowry of Almonte for Recreation/Sports, Korrine Jordan of Tay Valley Township for Community Service and Sheila Gibson of Carleton Place for Volunteerism.  

“Every year we have an opportunity to recognize citizens for their generosity and exceptional work that helps to make Lanark County the incredible community that it is,” said Warden Toby Randell (Carleton Place Mayor). “I am honoured to extend these Awards of Excellence as an expression of our gratitude to four individuals who have enhanced quality of life in Lanark County.”

The awards program began in 2005 and recognizes recipients for contributions to the county at large or in at least two municipalities. It was developed to say thank you to citizens of Lanark County, to provide community recognition and visibility, to support citizens for their contributions and to inspire further community service. 

Erin Lee

Erin Lee, who has been Executive Director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support (LCIHCS) in Carleton Place since 2007, is being recognized for her work in anti-violence activism, intimate partner violence (IPV) awareness and prevention, education, and leadership. 

“Erin has succeeded in bringing stark daylight to the significant challenges facing rural women and children and those in our small towns who are experiencing intimate partner/domestic violence and abuse,” said her nominator, Valerie Martin. 

Among the initiatives under Lee’s leadership are the “See It Name It Change It” anti-violence public education campaign, the Perseverance Pantry introduced in 2022 to tackle food insecurity and the cost of living by providing women and children with food and hygiene items, and the award-winning Victim Advocate Program developed with community partners to provide trauma-informed support to victims. During COVID-19, Lee organized partnerships with local hotels to enable women and children to flee their abusers safely.

Another significant initiative is Second Stage Housing, which provides safe, supported accommodation to women leaving the shelter for approximately one year, helping them transition to long-term independence. This led to Beyond Second Stage with support from Lanark County, which is longer-term transitional housing. 

Martin notes Lee’s ability to “inspire and motivate staff, volunteers and the broader community” has led to additional funds being raised to develop programs and services. Martin describes her as a “valiant crusader” in recognizing IPV as an epidemic, which began with Lanark County’s declaration and has led to 106 Ontario communities following suit.

“To hundreds of women in Lanark County who have achieved independence as a result of her vision and her leadership, she is indeed a local hero.”

In a letter of support, Jean Rogers called her a “powerhouse for change” who has “helped raise the profile of abused women and children not only in our county, but much, much farther afield.”

Colleague Pamela Cross wrote Lee’s work with police services has resulted in creative collaborations and improved police response for survivors.

“Erin is a true visionary who is not afraid to speak her mind, but always in a positive and constructive manner that attracts respect from others.”

Isabel Lowry

Isabel Lowry is a 17-year-old native of Almonte in Mississippi Mills who is making a mark in sports.

Paddling since age 11, Lowry trains at the Carleton Place Canoe Club and attends Notre Dame Catholic High School. In Summer 2025, she became a three-time Junior World Champion in sprint canoe, earning three gold medals in Portugal. In St. John’s, Newfoundland, as a member of Team Ontario for the Canada Games, she brought home a silver and three golds and was named the flag bearer for the team of 514 athletes. In Regina at the Canadian National Team Trials, she won two silvers and a gold. She recently returned from Czechia, where she brought home three gold medals for Team Canada. 

“She makes me proud and I look up to her so much,” said her brother MacPherson Lowry, who nominated her. “Not just because she’s an amazing athlete, but because she helps young kids who are just coming up in the sport.” As a straight-A student working four part-time jobs to pay for her travels while training nine times a week, he says “she balances it all with grit and grace.”

In a letter of support, Sprint Canoe Club Coach Pat Lester said Lowry is on a path to her Olympic dream. “Izzy demonstrates the qualities that make her an incredible ambassador for sport. Her determination, maturity and contagious work ethic inspire not only her close peers, but also the younger athletes in our club who look up to her as a role model.” 

Supporter Aidan Dumont wrote of Lowry’s ability to face adversity, her personal growth, disciplined hard work, capacity for self-improvement, and positive and uplifting spirit. Dumont noted women have only been allowed to compete in sprint canoe at the Olympics since 2020.

“For young girls at the Carleton Place Canoe Club, having a successful and relatable role model is incredibly important…. Izzy’s story of giving back has already inspired a new generation of female paddlers to follow in her footsteps, furthering her as an incredible role model for her community.”

Korrine Jordan

Korrine Jordan, founder of Willow Creek Stables in Tay Valley Township, has touched the lives of countless people.

During its eight years as a Newfoundland Pony rescue, Willow Creek has rehomed 90 horses and ponies. Jordan has mentored an intergenerational volunteer community, helped special needs populations with therapeutic visits, offered pony camps and educational events for children and hosted open farm days and barn visits so members of the public can learn about equine care and welfare. She also serves as a Tay Valley Township Councillor and advocates for residents. 

“Korrine embodies the very best of rural life: hard work balanced with compassion, respect for the land and animals, and a commitment to inspiring and empowering others,” said her nominator, Robin Norris. “She has built Willow Creek into a beacon of compassion, mentorship and community spirit.”

Equine intakes usually result from Ontario SPCA investigations and local cases of abuse and neglect. The rescue has offered permanent sanctuary to a number of senior and special needs Newfoundland ponies, which are a critically endangered Canadian heritage breed. 

In the second half of this year, events were put on hold while Jordan undergoes intensive cancer treatment. The volunteer network has stepped up to care for the animals, and the community is helping to financially support the rescue’s operating costs.

“The time is right to thank Korrine for her contributions to both human and animal welfare and to promote Willow Creek as not just a hidden gem in Tay Valley, but a precious resource everyone in Lanark County should be aware of and proud of,” Norris said.

In a letter of support, Meagan Winegarden said she Jordan has a remarkable impact on everyone who visits the farm, especially the children she mentors. Supporter Lori Small called Jordan an ambassador for agriculture in Lanark County and highlighted her mentorship, dedication and leadership, adding she “has built a safe, welcoming place where young women, mostly volunteers, learn not only about caring for animals, but also about themselves.” Melanie Moore said Jordan provides “a soft landing” for ponies that have been neglected and abused, giving them love and care they have missed and allowing them to heal. 

Sheila Gibson

Sheila Gibson of Carleton Place joined the Lanark County Quilters Guild in 2003 and her quilting efforts have since impacted myriad people.

As a member of the Caring Community Quilters group, she has created and donated scores of quilts to seniors residing in Lanark Lodge, as well as to Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, Family and Children’s Services, first responders for accident scenes, and more. She has also produced quilts that were presented to newborns at the Almonte General Hospital. For the past six years she has been an active member of the Carleton Place and District Horticultural Society, where she donates several hours each week to weeding, planting, watering and beautifying the grounds of the Victoria Museum. 

Her nominator, husband Ken Gibson, describes the impact of her work.

“Elderly persons were given quilts to wrap around their wheelchairs, persons attending chemotherapy sessions could wrap their individual quilt around themselves to keep warm, and women and children fleeing abusive situations have quilts to comfort them in new and difficult situations.”

In a letter of support, Anita Ruus, who volunteers with Gibson through the horticultural society, calls her a passionate volunteer who “always arrives with a smile and a kind word for all,” even making extra visits during the week to make sure plants get watered.

Quilting colleague Anna Cornel writes “Sheila is giving 110 per cent, producing many outstanding quilts, suggesting patterns members might like to try and teaching some ‘new to us’ quilting tips. Sheila has a modest and competent style, which makes her a very popular addition to the group.”

She says Gibson quilts to a very high standard and that her quilts give “warmth, comfort and beauty to the recipients.” She adds Gibson is “a warm, compassionate and amusing friend who manages to fit many volunteer hours into her busy life.”

Randell thanked the recipients for their contributions to Lanark County. “Your dedication, commitment and leadership have left a legacy for others, and you have improved the lives of many. Thank you, on behalf of Lanark County Council and our residents.” 

Awards of Excellence recipients are recognized on a plaque in the county administration building, as well as on the county website at www.lanarkcounty.ca and through local media.