November 5, 2026
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We are deeply saddened at the passing of Corporal Dietrich James McKenzie, who died Nov. 1, at Huron Shores Hospice in Tiverton. At just 51, he was taken from us much too soon. Dietrich spent 27 years in uniform, from 1991 to 2018, including two tours in Bosnia and one in Afghanistan. After settling in Kincardine with his wife, Leah, he stayed involved, giving his time to the Kincardine Legion, Branch 183, and to the 183 Typhoon Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. He will be immensely missed by all who knew him. We know he had so much more to contribute to our community. We offer our deepest condolences to Leah and their children Brendan, Dylan, Mackenzie and Kaedan, and our hearts are with them.
On Remembrance Day, at 1:15 p.m. at the Legion, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson will be presenting the Ontario Veterans Award for Community Service Excellence to Dietrich's family. This is the first provincial award in Canada dedicated to recognizing former members of the Canadian Armed Forces for ongoing community leadership and service beyond the uniform. This honour was awarded to Dietrich, Oct. 28, just days before his passing, and his family will accept it on his behalf.
A memorial service for Dietrich will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m., at the Cameron Funeral Home, Kincardine, and will begin with a Legion service. This will be followed by interment at Kincardine Cemetery and a Celebration of Life at the Legion from 1-4 p.m. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest easy, soldier. Lest We Forget.
Remembrance Week is upon us. Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m., the Tiverton Cenotaph Remembrance Service takes place at Lions Memorial Park. Monday, Nov. 9, No Stone Left Alone returns to the Kincardine Cemetery, where Grade 6 students from Huron Heights will honour veterans by placing poppies on more than 300 graves. The students should arrive at the cemetery around 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., our Remembrance Day service takes place in the Legion Hall, with a choir from Huron Heights performing, followed by wreath-laying at the Cenotaph. That evening at 7 p.m., the Colour Party will take part in the Knox Presbyterian Church Ringing of the Peace Bell Ceremony. Be on the look-out for some of the Kincardine Air Cadets who will be out with poppies at several locations, this Saturday, Nov. 7.
The public has embraced this year's Poppy Campaign like no other. Ontario Command reports that Dominion Command has received significantly larger volumes of poppy orders this year, a wonderful show of support as Remembrance Day approaches. Thank you to everyone who has picked up a poppy and worn it.
A reminder that submissions for the Remembrance Day Poster and Literary Contests are due by Nov. 11, with details at remembrancecontests.ca.
Did you know? Bruce Remembers, at bruceremembers.org, is the Bruce County Museum and Culture Centre's on-line project, recording soldiers and military personnel connected to Bruce County. You can search its database of names, explore the 160th Bruce Battalion and its company pages, including D Company from Kincardine, Lucknow, Ripley and Tiverton, and visit the Virtual War Memorial for county citizens who died in service. If you have a few moments this week, check out the site. It's a memorable way to ensure we don’t forget the sacrifices of those who served our country in defence of freedom.
Monday, Nov. 2, we drew the winning ticket for the Kin Cares 50/50 October jackpot. Congratulations to Paul Holmes on his big win of $6,550. Monday also marked the first Kin Cares 50/50 disbursement. Branch 183 directed its $15,000 share, together with $10,000 from the Duelling Pianos fund-raiser, into an amazing $25,000 donation to the BUILDKD-plus Campaign, pushing the campaign's total raised past $1-million. Thank you to everyone who bought Kin Cares tickets and supported the Duelling Pianos event. As well, we want to send a big thank you to Mike and the team at Grey Matter Beer Company for hosting one of our mobile ticket units for the month of October. We appreciate your support!
Kincardine Legion president Teri Leslie (left) presents a cheque for $6,550, the Kin Cares 50/50 October jackpot, to Paul Holmes
The Saturday Meat Draw turned into the Charlie Samms show, with Charlie hearing his name called three times. At this rate, he may need a bigger freezer. Congratulations, also, to Christine Goodspeed, who took home the 50/50 prize of $180.50.
What a night at last Friday's Music Bingo! We had a record crowd and awarded our largest jackpots to date. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a great evening, and a special thank you to Dave Carson for stepping in on the mic as MC. If you missed it, you missed a good one, but we hope to see you Nov. 20. Every month, we are seeing more and more band shirts, so check your bottom drawer and find yours!
Membership renewal reminder: Early Bird renewal is $55 if you renew before the end of November, a $10 saving on regular dues. Veterans pay $50 by renewing in person at the bar or by E-transfer to Kinlegion@bmts.com. New Year's Eve tickets go on sale Nov. 12, and members paid up for 2027 save $10 on their ticket. Congratulations to Sam Farrell, Legion member for over a decade, who renewed in October and won two tickets to our New Year's Eve event.
Coming Events:
Saturday, Nov. 7 - Cornhole Tournament - 1 p.m. Registration starts at Noon.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Tiverton's Bells of Peace Ceremony - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14 - Kincardine Legion Craft Show and Bake Sale - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 15 - Branch General Meeting - 2 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20 - Music Bingo Night - 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22 - Family Dinner - 5 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 27 - KDSS New Build Lip Sync Battle - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 - Mega Meat Draw with HWY 19 - 2–6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6 - Veterans Christmas Banquet - Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12 - Breakfast with Santa at the Legion - More details to follow.
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