Beaver Lake Winter Carnival opens with dedication to local councillor
It was an emotional night as organizers opened the annual Beaver Lake Winter Carnival this time without their local councillor.
Tears were shed and there was a moment of silence for Michael Vagnini following a spaghetti dinner that opened the annual Beaver Lake Winter Carnival. The carnival's fireworks display was also dedicated to the late city councillor. (File Photo)Tears were shed and there was a moment of silence for Michael Vagnini who was discovered earlier this week, on a seasonal property on Atikameksheng.
“Michael Vagnini was a huge supporter of us,” said organizer Leslee Salo.
“He’d be here all weekend, the last time I talked to him, he told me to call him Friday to remind him to come and be here.”
The group spent added they spent extra money on fireworks this year so they could dedicate them to Vagnini.
No other Greater Sudbury city councillors were in attendance. Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas accepted the group’s invitation and offered to open the carnival in the popular politician’s absence.
“I have worked with Michael Vagnini for close to 10 years. Him and I have been in this building many, many times. It didn’t matter what was happening, if I picked up the phone and called Michael, he answered my call,” said Gélinas.
“Anything that happened in the riding, whether it was the road not well maintained, issues hearing guns and hunting, issues with the fire hall, it didn’t matter what it was… if it had to do with the municipality and this riding, he showed up.”
Gélinas said Vagnini was also a fun guy, noting what he was wearing and how he served pancakes last year and how he was “generous” with the maple syrup.
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas speaking about deceased Sudbury city councillor Michael Vagnini at the opening of the annual Beaver Lake Winter Carnival on Feb. 16/24. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)“The last few weeks were tough on everyone,” she said, breaking with emotion.
“He’s not here tonight, he’s not here. We know that he passed away… we will have some beautiful fireworks for him tonight.”
Those in the room were invited to sign a book of condolence which is being presented to Vagnini’s family.
Events have been scheduled in the community right up until Sunday afternoon.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
For more details on the event, visit the Beaver Lake Sports & Cultural Club Inc.’s Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6973063.1721671746!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Kamala Harris endorsement excites Democrats, but what could it mean for Canada?
U.S. President Joe Biden's endorsement of Vice-President Kamala Harris as his possible replacement stirred excitement among Democrats, but one analyst has concerns about what a potential Harris presidency would mean for Canada.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
Who's number two? Four leading Democrats emerge as a possible running mate for Kamala Harris
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.
'We failed,' says Secret Service director grilled on Trump assassination attempt
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said Monday that her agency failed in its mission to protect former President Donald Trump during a highly contentious congressional hearing with lawmakers of both major political parties demanding she resign over security failures that allowed a gunman to scale a roof and open fire at a campaign rally.
Feds pledge free government document replacements for those impacted by wildfires
The federal government is promising to replace some official documents free of charge for Canadians impacted by this year's wildfire season.
Do you want to be happier? Here are 5 habits to adopt
If you look around at your friends and family — and even at yourself — it is apparent that some people perceive the glass to be half full, while others view it as half empty. Which habits can you adopt to increase your level of happiness? A social psychologist has these five tips.
Caught in 4K: Sask. men charged after poaching revealed in YouTube video
Two men in northern Saskatchewan were recently found guilty of multiple hunting violations after authorities discovered a YouTube video showing the crimes.
Prince George is 11 -- see his birthday photo
Prince George has turned 11, and as per tradition his proud parents have released an official portrait to mark the occasion.
Police identify body of man who washed ashore on Nova Scotia's Sable Island
Nova Scotia RCMP has identified one of the bodies found on Sable Island earlier this month.