Gregorpalooza 14 was held for the one and only Ponto Paparro. Ponto is no stranger to Gregorpalooza as he has lent his musical talent to the event by performing at the event year after year.  In fact, Ponto is a co-writer of the Gregorpalooza Anthem which is sung at the event each year. In the Spring of 2022, Ponto was diagnosed with throat cancer and spent the majority of that year doing radiation to combat the disease. Ponto’s generous and kind-hearted nature was reflected in the enormous support he received from the people all over the province as both the events and t-shirts were completely sold out.  In true Ponto fashion, Ponto battled through literally cancer of the vocal cords to come out and sing in front of all the people who came out to support him.  It makes me immensely happy to tell you that one year later, Ponto is cancer free and will be back performing at this year’s Gregorpalooza.

Our thirteenth Gregorpalooza recipient was a wonderful woman named Karen Poulin.  Karen was a tremendously kind and compassionate person that brightened the lives of everyone around her.  This was evidenced by the fact that when we were looking for a Gregorpalooza 13 recipient, she was suggested by so many different people, all of which conveyed what an incredible person she was.  Karen worked at our local hospital for over twenty years and by all accounts, made it a happier place for everyone, each and every day.  She was a loving mother to Derek and Jenna and always worked tirelessly and put their lives before her own. Karen became very sick in March of 2019 and was hospitalized for most of that year.  Unfortunately, in 2020, Karen ended her battle against cancer but not before the people of Elliot Lake, at Gregorpalooza, showed her just how much we all appreciated what an incredible woman she was.   

Our twelveth Gregorpalooza recipient was Cher Palin.  Cher was battling her second fight against an agressive strain of brain cancer when she was selected as the recipient.  She had already vastly exceeded how long doctors believed she would live at that point.  The love and support the community showed this incredible woman was a true testament to the kind and loving person Cher was.  The day before last year's Gregorpalooza, on December 21st, 2018, Cher ended her long and courageous fight against cancer surrounded by her family.  There was some debate about what to do regarding the event after Cher's passing.  Ultimately, a record amount of people came out to support the Palin family and to give Cher a Gregorpalooza-style send off.  

Gregorpalooza's 11th recipient was Brandon Lipinski.  Brandon spent most of 2017 fighting cancer in Toronto.  Brandon, or 'Brito' as he known to his friends, closed out this horribly difficult year by coming out Gregorpalooza and seeing all the love that this community had and still has for him.  It brings me great pleasure to tell you that today, Brandon is done with his chemotherapy and his cancer is in remission.   Brito is getting back to the things he loves in life like playing music, playing basketball and spending as much time as he can at his family camp. 

The recipient for Gregorpalooza 10 was Sarah Daigle Stefanich. The love for Sarah in the community was apparent almost immediately as her online donations shattered all previous Gregorpalooza records.  At the time of the event, Sarah was in the middle of intensive rounds of chemo.  Nonetheless, she came out and saw all the people who were there to support her.  

Over the past year, the cancer that she had last year returned only for Sarah to smash it back down again.  Like every other time, Sarah gathers herself, draws strength from her family and friends and proceeds to smash cancer.  As I'm writing this, Sarah is in the midst of her third round of cancer smashing and I have every confidence when she is done it will be Sarah 3, cancer 0.  

Our ninth year recipient was Mrs Julia Lahaie. Julia endured a brutal year in 2015, having to go through multiple surgeries and like many others on our list of cancer smashers, there was a point where many people believed Julia wasn't going to see 2016. Luckily for all of us, Julia was not one of those people. In fact, since after being diagnosed in early 2015, Julia completed her chemo, had surgery for rheumatoid arthritis, walked her daughter down the isle and saw the birth of two brand new grandchildren.

Despite being fresh out of surgery and not fully capable of walking yet, Julia showed up the night of the Plooz to see her army of supporters and even stayed late into the night.

Unfortunately, in the fall of this year, Julia became ill again.  After another fight, it saddens me deeply to tell you that Julia passed away.  The legacy she leaves behind is one of a fighter, a devoted wife, a loving mother and a wildly proud grandmother.  She will be honored and remembered this year and every year at Gregorpalooza.  

Evan Griffen was the honoree for year eight and has joined the list of cancer smashers. Diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal cancer in early 2014, Evan's life went through a great transformation. She went through a major surgery and some heavy chemotherapy. Like in recent years, the city stood up and had Evan's back with donations coming in from Elliot Lakers across the globe. Evan fought with all her might and by the time of the event last December, she could celebrate that she was cancer free. She went back to being her active, fun loving self and has even opened up a R.M.T. business here in town. She developed a love for motorcycle riding and was tearing up the highways. Unfortunately however, Evan's cancer returned and early in the fall of this year, Evan passed away far too early. Evan's unrelenting zest for attacking life made her an incredible person and the very essence of what Gregorpalooza is about. We will always honor and remember Evan, each and every year at Gregorpalooza.  

Year seven's recipient was Melissa Stewart and the event is one of the most memorable on record. After a lengthy negotiation between Vince and the incredibly stubborn Melissa, she finally agreed to allow the event to be held in her honor. Elliot Lake instantly rallied behind this mother of two and in response, Melissa showed a strength and resolve that truly baffled and inspired us all. Throughout her intense and exhaustive rounds of chemotherapy, Melissa never stopped fighting and even kept working through most of it. This courage and resolve was most evident on the night itself, where despite still being in treatment, Melissa showed up to thank the Elliot Lakers who supported her. She has continued to pay this kindness forward as well, being a great ambassador for Gregorpalooza ever since.

Year 6 brought about something new, it was the first year the event was held for someone who did not have cancer. From the beginning, Vince has said that the event was not exclusive to cancer but rather it is for those from the community who could use support.

In the winter of 2012, former Elliot Laker, Erin Mcbrearty was in a very serious snowmobile accident, breaking his spine and leaving him paralyzed from the waste down.

When Vince heard about this, it was a no brainer for him that Erin should be the recipient for year 6 and the first non-cancer Gregorpalooza.

It is with great pride that Gregorpalooza can announce that the money raised for Erin paid for him to make the alterations to his truck allowing him to drive.

In addition, Erin is making some amazing steps in terms of his rehabilitation. He has been skiing, sledding and just recently developed the ability to cross his legs, something no one was sure he would ever be able to do again.

Year Five of Gregorpalooza was held for a very strong and special woman, Judy Stevens. Judy was the mother of two great kids, Matt and Ali.

Much as with years previous, when Judy was selected as the recipient, she was very ill with cancer and doctors did not believe she would make it to late August, when the event was scheduled for.

Judy maintained her calm and dealt with her illness with a tremendous amount of grace. By the time Gregorpalooza came around, Judy was still alive, defying all the odds.

Once again, Elliot Lake stepped up and let Judy know there was an army behind her as she battled her cancer. Judy passed away the following summer, more than a full year after it was believed she was supposed to.