'I love this town': Hometown Hero dedicates her time to rejuvenating Radville
A Radville woman has earned the title of Hometown Hero because of her efforts to rejuvenate and preserve the history of the town.
Eighty-year-old Jeannette Verhelst is spearheading multiple projects in the Radville, including helping run the CN Station Museum.
In 2004, the Radville Chamber of Commerce was discussing converting the old train station building in the centre of town into a museum.
“To tell you the truth I got a little fed up with spinning our wheels and I said I will spear head it if everybody backs me up,” Verhelst said. “The chamber really did. Everybody stepped up.”
The building was run down as it had been closed for many years. Verhelst said the basement was full of rain water and windows were broken.
She and other community members restored the building and started collecting historic items, opening the museum in 2010.
“It’s the heart of our town,” Shauna Bourassa, chief administrative officer with the Town of Radville, said. “The other side of that, it’s also our history. It’s the community of how we [became] Radville and all the information in there provides a story of who we are.”
Tourism Radville said the museum attracts people from all over the country, as well as people from local communities.
But her work at the CN Station Museum isn’t the only thing that makes Verhelst special.
Bourassa said Verhelst opened a second hand store in 2015 that donates all the funds to the community. More than $100,000 has been donated since opening day.
She added that Verhelst also came up with outdoor activities for community members during COVID-19 lockdowns to keep people active and engaged.
“Jeannette is truly an inspiration to the community and the community would definitely not have the beauty, the amenities and the services without Jeannette’s drive and enthusiasm,” Bourassa said. “She is a woman with a vision and won’t take no for an answer.”
Verhelst said she wouldn’t be able to do what she does without the support of the community where she was born and raised.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.