John Rodey knew to arrive early in the morning for a good spot in line for the Sarnia seniors’ cruise.
He was at the front of the line June 26 for the first of about a half dozen free 45-minute cruises on the St. Clair River on the Duc D’Orleans II between 9 am to 4 pm
The late Sarnia radio personality Peter Henderson began the free annual cruises for seniors in the late 1970s and they are still going, thanks to a volunteer board made up of representatives from several local agencies and businesses.
Rodey said he was a volunteer with the cruise in its earlier days so he knew how early he needed to show up for a spot on the day’s first cruise leaving the city’s waterfront at 9 am
“I tell my friends if you want to get on the first boat you better be down there at 7 am,” he said. “It’s going to be a major line up.”
Just to be sure, he got there at 6:30 am this year.
“I got here soon after and there was a lineup of about 30 people,” said Amy Weiler, with Lambton Elderly Outreach, and a member of the volunteer board running the cruise.
“It just goes to show how needed supported events are for our older adults,” Weiler said.
“I don’t think we, as a community, do enough for our seniors,” said Billy Yurchuk, general manager of Wellings of Corunna and a board member.
“I think giving back, even in a small way like this, is beneficial. We’re just happy to be apart of it.”
A volunteer organizer with the cruises was experiencing some health concerns during the years before the pandemic, Yurchuk said.
“She was just going to end it,” he said. Instead, she reached out to Lambton Elderly Outreach, which led to the formation of the board.
“We had a bit of pause during the pandemic, but we’re back,” Yurchuk said.
Coffee and donuts were being served in the morning and there were plans for a barbecue lunch around noon, as well as live music for seniors as they waited for their cruise. Several local agencies had booths set up on shore providing information about community supports and resources.
And it was all free, thanks to donors, Weiler said.
That includes the Duc D’Orleans and its crew for the day.
“It’s just a good thing to do for Sarnia-Lambton, keep the tradition going,” said Bill Turner, who recently purchased the cruise ship with his son Keagan Turner.
The volunteer board begins meeting early in the year to start planning, Yurchuk said. It includes representatives from Home Instead, The Eye Guy, Steeves and Rozema, Bayshore Health, along with Wellings and Lambton Elderly Outreach.
Weiler said the board has discussed the possibility of organizing other events for the community, along with the annual cruise.
Typically, 1,500 to 2,000 seniors take a 45-minute cruise on the river each year, Weiler said.
There was rain in the forecast, but Weiler said they were ready.
“If it does rain, we are covered,” she said. There were temporary awnings set up on shore and covered seating on the Duc d’Orleans II.
“It’s rain or shine,” Weiler said.