Meet the Team
Our dedicated team of volunteers was assembled by our founder, the late Karen Hilfman Millson, and represents a diverse community of Lightfoot devotees committed to preserving the legacy of Gordon Lightfoot in his hometown of Orillia
Karen Hilfman Millson
Founder R.I.P.
John Winchester
President
John grew up in St. Thomas and discovered Gordon Lightfoot’s music while listening to his dad’s ‘Sunday Concert’ LP in 1970. Seventeen years later he accepted a teaching position at Oriliia’s Park Street Collegiate Institute and eventually taught two years at Gordon’s former high school, ODCVI. Retired since 2016, John feels very fortunate to be part of an extremely dedicated Lightfoot Days Festival Committee, through which the musical legacy of Canada’s greatest singer/songwriter can continue to be celebrated. John and his wife Janice have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Jacqueline.
Daphne Mainprize
Vice-President
As curator/manager of the Stephen Leacock Museum in the 1990s Daphne saw through the building of the boathouse, designation of the museum as a national historic site, and the completion of the building of Swanmore Hall. She had the unique opportunity to meet and work with many of Canada’s most eminent authors of humour. Daphne then worked in Ottawa for Parks Canada implementing various, national public consultations and tourism initiatives. She also sat on the board of several cultural institutions in Smiths Falls. Daphne currently sits as President of the Stephen Leacock Associates and as vice-president of the Lightfoot Days Festival. She is the author of Stephen Leacock’s Mariposa: One Hundred Years of Sunshine and co-author of the Leacock Picture Book.
Mary Hooykaas
Secretary
Mary was born and raised in south western Ontario, and has lived in Toronto, South Porcupine, Waterloo & Burlington, before settling in Severn, in 1991. She first heard ‘Home from the Forest’ in the late ‘60s which started a life-long love of Gordon’s music. She attended the first of her many Lightfoot concerts at Massey Hall in 1973. While volunteering at the Mariposa Folk Festival when it finally returned to Gord’s hometown, she had the opportunity to meet him in person in the Green Room. Their paths would cross a number of times over the years. When the Festival put out a call for volunteers, she decided to step forward & assist in honouring the living memory of Orillia’s native son. That turned into a Board position with the Lightfoot Days Festival Committee, a very dedicated & hard working group of Lightfoot devotees.
Brian Hare
Treasurer
Steve Porter
Director
Steve was born in Toronto but resided most of his early years in Richmond Hill and Uxbridge. He has been a musician since childhood. Playing locally and abroad. He was guided towards Gordon’s music through his uncle in 70s mainly when hearing the Don Quixote record. Later he had the honour of training under Gord’s original lead guitarist Red Shea. Steve has written, performed, and recorded his own Cd’s which have been played locally and throughout Europe. You may hear Gord’s influences in his own songs as Gord is his musical Hero! He is honoured to be a member of the Lightfoot Days Festival Committee, whose members are a joy to serve with in promoting Canada’s greatest musical treasure and keeping Gordon’s heritage alive for generations to come. He resides in Orillia with his wife Dianne. Together they have four wonderful children and five grandchildren.