Tribute to Mel Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache is located in the Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Area.
Melvin Leroy Swart was born June 25, 1919 in London, Ontario.
Mel, a World War II pilot, served as a councillor in Thorold, Ont., (1947-50), then as its deputy reeve (1951-54) and reeve (1955-65). He made eight unsuccessful runs in federal and provincial elections, before winning a provincial election in 1975 to represent the old riding of Welland and Thorold. He was undefeated in elections after that, only stepping down in 1988 to make way for his long-time protégé, Kormos.
The son of a farmer and a nurse, Swart was born in London, Ont., but moved to Thorold at 14 when his father lost his farm in the Great Depression. His mother was the daughter of a Methodist minister and it's from her he got his passion and interest in the fight for social justice that led him to join the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, the precursor to the NDP.
Mel was also an avid race fan. He spent many Saturday nights at Merrittville Speedway.
Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Area in which the cache is hidden was named in his honour. The great thing about this is Mel was still living when it was named. Not many people are honoured in this way.
On Saturday nights throughout the summer you can hear the cars going around the track. In fact, while placing the cache I heard them.
Mel passed away on February 27, 2007. He was reunited with his wife Thelma and they are probably watching over his park.
While visiting the park make sure you check out these other caches.
GC146AQ
GC1XYKE
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)