2006 Pride of Strathcona recipients
Announcing the recipients of the Pride of Strathcona Awards
Congratulations to individuals chosen to receive the Pride of Strathcona Awards in 2006 in recognition of their outstanding contributions and accomplishments.
Lisa Coward: Community life
Bruce Blackstock has brought an impressive array of leadership, organizational and motivational skills to the Strathcona County soccer program in his 20-year involvement. Bruce was instrumental in turning the adult soccer program into the healthy, growing organization it is today. He spends countless hours in what has proved to be an enormous long-term commitment - and on a purely volunteer basis. He registers all the participants for both the outdoor and indoor seasons. He books the field times, contacts participants to remind them of schedules and organizes end-of-season tournaments. To all this, he brings an enthusiasm and sense of fair play. He has done all this willingly, never seeking any form of recognition in return.
Edna Dach has been associated with the Girl Guide movement for 35 years. She rose to become the Edmonton Area Commissioner - coordinating the Guiding program for over 4,000 members in Edmonton, Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan. Presently, the Director of Technology Services for Elk Island Public Schools, she has shared her computer knowledge admirably. Twice, she has travelled Africa, to Togo and Kenya, to help African teachers learn the use of technology in their classrooms. Each year, Edna organizes the Young Scientist Conference hosted at the University of Alberta, benefiting over 130 students from Strathcona County . She serves on the Ringette Alberta Board and has helped organize various provincial tournaments including the 24-hour Ringette Scores Against Breast Cancer game. And if that is not enough, she is a voluntary Auxiliary Constable with the Strathcona County detachment of the RCMP.
Chris Kieser's contributions to our way of life have been many - hockey coach and manager, community league volunteer, and champion for Multiple Sclerosis education and research. Contending with the progressively debilitating disease of multiple sclerosis, Chris hung up his skates, but his coaching inspiration continued. In his wheelchair in the middle of the ice, he would explain the drill to the kids he coached. They not only learned hockey skills, he gave them life skills as well. Chris is also actively involved in the MS Society of Canada , the Speakers Bureau, the Supercities Walk, and the Mountain Bike Tour. He was the highest fundraiser for the Supercities Walk in 2001 and 2002 and the winner of numerous coaching awards. A fellow coach expressed it this way, "Chris' inspiration and determination is a true gift to us all."
Ed Thomlinson was a lifelong smoker. Over five years ago he was told he had throat cancer and underwent surgery. The procedure was successful but left him without a voice box. Now Ed's goal is to stop just one student in each class from smoking. The impact of his story leaves a deep impression on everyone. He volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society and began to talk to students all over Strathcona County. In 2004 alone Ed spoke to students in over 34 classes and at two school-wide assemblies. Students immediately take to his sense of humour and are impressed by his message. Candidly and using his own life as an example, Ed challenges our young people to think about their future and to make the right life choices.
Helen Loehr is the long-time local Director of the Terry Fox Run for Cancer. Under her guidance the run has grown and raises thousands of dollars each year in this community. In fact, in all of Western Canada , Sherwood Park came fourth behind the major cities of Calgary, Edmonton and Yellowknife in recent fundraising efforts. Helen would be the first to tell you that it is not one person alone that accounts for the success of the Run, but her enthusiasm and hard work has attracted many volunteers. The Terry Fox Run in Strathcona has become a major local event. Families look forward to it as a meaningful way to share in a good cause. The many hours Helen Loehr puts into the event each year demonstrates her dedication to this community.
Celebrating its 50 th anniversary in 2005, the Elk Island Art Club began when Emma Hare suggested a group should be formed to promote the appreciation of the visual arts in the area. The club was to provide an opportunity for community members to improve their skills. Soon their colourful and creative works were appearing all over the county. They hosted open houses and exhibitions in Josephburg, Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan . It's been a busy year for the Elk Island Art Club. They exhibited their work in the Art Gallery of the new Dow Centennial Centre in Fort Saskatchewan, followed by an exhibition at the Strathcona County Library. The club was featured at the Spotlight Gallery in Fort Saskatchewan and participated in Strathcona County's Summer Trails and Tales in July.
R. Harlan (Bob) Smith has composed over 150 songs including several that made the top 10 and one that nested at #1 on the Canadian country music charts. He has toured the world performing at world's fairs, the Calgary Stampede and K-Days. But even as his own career expanded, Harlan saw the plight of local entertainers trying to crack the often-impenetrable recording industry. So over 30 years ago, Harlan founded Royalty Records. It wasn't easy taking on the entrenched recording industry, but Harlan did it. Soon Royalty was releasing records for the likes of Danny Hooper, Laura Vinson and the duo of R. Harlan Smith and Chris Neilsen. Harlan personally produced over 50 albums. R. Harlan Smith is one of only a very few artists who has had his recordings charted on Canada 's national music lists for over four decades.
The Time for the Cure Committee began as a group of concerned citizens from Strathcona County. They wanted to make a difference for people affected by breast cancer. The original idea was to create a fundraiser where people could come together once a year to enjoy a nice meal, share stories and a few laughs - and raise money. Through persistence and sheer determination, the committee's vision was realized and the event has become a much anticipated annual dinner and silent auction. About 450 people show up each year and tickets now inevitably sell out. In the eight years the event has been held, the Time for A Cure Committee has donated in excess of $145,000 to breast cancer assistance.
Further information: 780-464-8139
Last updated: Thursday, May 03, 2012
Page ID: 2273