BRYSON–ÎLE-DU-GRAND-CALUMET FIRE DEPARTMENT POKER RUN
Published in the Pontiac Journal on May 7, 2025.
The annual Bryson–Île-du-Grand-Calumet Fire Department Poker Run fundraiser took place Saturday, May 3, with 127 registered participants driving various ATVs around a designated course. Riders made five stops collecting a sealed playing card at each location, which they opened at the finish line.
Participants departed from the Bérard Store in L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet at 11:00 am and completed the course around 5:00 pm at the Forest Inn in Bryson, where they gathered at the bar or outside around their vehicles while awaiting the results of their mystery poker hands.
The event included a 50/50 draw, which awarded a $285 prize to the lucky winner, Dan Tourangeau. First prize for the poker run, donated by Forant Dam Outfitters, was a fishing trip plus $100 in cash. Second and third prizes—$200 and $100 respectively—came from registration fees.
Luke Quesnel of Carp, ON, driving his recently acquired Can-Am Defender side-by-side, held the winning hand. His wife, Ruby, claimed second place, and Lynn Zimmerling took home the prize for the third-best hand.
Draws were also held for several tables full of generously donated prizes from a wide range of local businesses and individuals, all eager to support the Bryson and Île-du-Grand-Calumet fire department. – Clifford Welsh
Photo – Luke Quesnel and wife, Ruby, of Carp, ON, pose beside their recently purchased Can-Am Defender with their first and second place winnings at the B.G.-C.P. Poker Run on Saturday, May 3, in Bryson. (CW)
