2007 Pride of Strathcona recipients
Jilles Zandbergen - Community life
When you need a hand with a chore in South Cooking Lake, you call upon Jilles Zandbergen.
Jilles is a multi-skilled member of this rural hamlet that’s come to depend on him in many ways.
Since moving to South Cooking Lake in 1991, Jilles has put in more than 12 years as a volunteer firefighter and he’s become a pivotal member of the South Cooking Lake Community League.
He’s the go-to guy for the community hall, for which he manages rentals, updates the highway information sign, and maintains and cleans the building.
Jilles served four years as president of the South Cooking Lake Community League, and he’s still in the midst of every community event, such as Trail Days, the Children’s Christmas Party, and dinners and dances.
Over the past 15 years, this quiet family man has fostered immeasurable appreciation from the residents of this tightly knit community.
Carol Gibney - Arts and culture
The community’s collective artistic talent rose to the forefront after Carol Gibney began her six-year-long stint with the Art Society of Strathcona County.
During her four years as president, Carol was the driving force behind transforming the A.J. Ottewell Centre into a full-blown arts facility that hosts three annual shows, a Christmas store, anda year-round art gallery.
In promoting this project, Carol displayed leadership skills that allowed her to articulate a clear, passionate vision which motivated others to work towards the common goal of creating an inclusive arts centre.
These same traits shone through in her efforts to found the Arts and Culture Council of Strathcona County in 2004—an organization dedicated to advocacy, promotion and networking opportunities relating to arts and culture in our community.
Today, Carol is serving as a member of the Permanent Art Collection Committee and is the art society liaison for the 2007 Western Canada Summer Games.
Carol is also an innovative glass artist who is known for recognizing the talents of fellow artists rather than acknowledging her own.
Marilyn and Adelard Lessard - Community life
Marilyn and Adelard Lessard have dedicated their professional lives into safely and caringly transporting Strathcona County citizens with special needs.
When the couple created their business in the early 1970s, they bought and refurbished buses,with Adelard even crafting the hydraulic lifts for wheelchairs.
For the next 30 years, the whole family played a part in AMMCED Holdings Busing, which set an unparalleled standard for customer service. Their small business grew to include contracts with local school boards and the Robin Hood Association. Today, the Lessards remain esteemed for their compassionate nature, their generosity, and a hospitable home,where parents of clientele and employees have always felt like extended family.
Marilyn and Adelard tried to retire in 2001 after they sold their business to Red Arrow. Retirement didn’t last long. Marilyn was enticed back to manage Red Arrow’s, and then Briggs’, special needs busing. Today, the Lessards continue to build upon their more than 40 years of service to the community.
Travis Perry - Community life
Superb organizational skills, respectful and reliable—these are only a few of the ways to describe Travis Perry.
Although he’s just 15 years old, Travis continually earns the admiration of everyone around him with his quiet dependability. Clover Bar Junior High doesn’t know what it will do without Travis when he heads to high school next year because the honours student is instrumental to the success of its many extracurricular programs.
The 2006 PeeWee AA Provincial Hockey Tournament was the recipient of 16-hour days from Travis, and the Wolverines football club benefited from his dedication throughout its season.Travis goes above and beyond with every task he’s handed and far exceeds expectations everytime. He’s a fine role model who repeatedly surprises his peers and adults alike.
Nathan Cameron - Athletics
Nathan Cameron is a straight shooter whose record of aiming for perfection has earned him a wealth of medals in national and international competitions. His most recent triumphs include a silver medal at the Pan American Championships in Brazil, a bronze at the Junior Worlds in Mexico, and a spot on Canada’s national team.
Those, by the way, are just the highlights of a tremendous archery career that began 11 years ago.
Today, Nathan is an 18-year-old honours student at Salisbury Composite High, who will join the University of Alberta’s engineering program this fall. When he’s not shooting arrows, travelling to competitions, or studying, Nathan works part-time at the Sherwood Park Archery Lanes and volunteers as a coach at the Capital Region Archery Club.
This young man’s determination to excel at both archery and school has inspired many other young archers to set farsighted targets of their own.
Reed and Evelyn Francis - Community life
Reed and Evelyn Francis are key people in Partridge Hill. After all, they have the keys to the church, the keys to the hall, and most especially, the key to the hearts of the residents of their community.
The Francis’ amazing record of public service is marked by decades of selfless commitment to the Partridge Hill United Church, to which they have devoted their lives since their marriage more than 50 years ago. Their tasks have exceeded their caretaker roles to include Sunday school superintendent, organist and caterer.
This much-admired couple has also registered lengthy involvement with the Partridge Hill Community Club, Unifarm, the Fort Saskatchewan Rural Electrification Association, the Josephburg Seed Co-op, the United Farmers of Alberta and Agricore United.
While their cheerful contributions have won Reed and Evelyn vast appreciation, it is their humble, positive actions that have made them beloved mentors.
Darlene and Brian Anstice - Community life
Darlene and Brian Anstice have netted the appreciation of parents and children all over Strathcona for their devotion to the Strathcona Basketball Association (SBA).
The couple is known as the heart and soul of an association they were instrumental in establishing in 1997. Over the years, Brian and Darlene have held senior positions in SBA.
Today, Darlene is SBA’s first executive director, while Brian is also a director with Alberta Basketball, a high school basketball coach, and active in community football.
Darlene and Brian bring passion, enthusiasm and efficiency to all their endeavours, with one paramount motivation in mind—the positive development of young people.
Parents and peers have seen the long-lasting effects the Anstices have had on players and coaches. It’s an impact that goes far beyond the court, as fostering strong coach/player and adult/child relationships helps create a caring community.
Ian McCormack - Community life
If a model volunteer is someone who happily donates his or her time and expertise to help enhance the community, Ian McCormack perfectly fits that definition.
For almost two decades, Ian has taken on volunteer responsibilities and more than fulfilled his commitments every time.
He’s also played important roles in the community.
For six years he was chairman of the Strathcona County Library Board during a pivotal time in its development. He’s a veteran Games volunteer who is now serving as director of culture for the 2007 Western Canada Summer Games. He’s vice-chair of the Strathcona County Community Health Council. He’s a former member of the Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture Advisory Board. He has been involved in many professional and regional volunteer activities as well.
Ian is sought after by not-for-profit organizations because his peers quickly come to respect his dedication, knowledge and willingness to help.
Mayor's Award:Carol Gibney - Arts and culture 
Last updated: Thursday, May 03, 2012
Page ID: 6458