2011 Pride of Strathcona recipients
Flossie and Lorne Bodell
This husband-and-wife team is a dynamic duo representing the epitome of volunteerism. While raising three children and operating a family farm on the edge of Sherwood Park, Flossie and Lorne Bodell have also dedicated their time to enhancing the fabric of life in Strathcona County.
Their volunteer work has included 4-H, the Ardrossan United Church, the Ardrossan Parade and Picnic, the Ardrossan Recreation and Agricultural Society, the Strathcona County Library, and the Ardrossan theatre arts community — just their local volunteer ventures.
The couple’s volunteer efforts, leadership skills and mentoring are so renowned that the Fort Saskatchewan 4-H Beef Club created the Lorne and Flossie Bodell Heart and Hustle Award to recognize a member who demonstrates outstanding effort to help others achieve success.
The Bodells’ selfless commitment to serve others is embodied in young people throughout the community, including most proudly, their own children.
Parents Empowering Parents
Parents Empowering Parents began helping one individual and one family at a time.
Maralyn Benay, Tina Dow, and Audrey Holliday co-founded Parents Empowering Parents seven years ago when they saw a vital need to help families deal with their children’s substance abuse, and provide them with information, support, direction and, just as critically, hope.
Thanks to Parents Empowering Parents, and its partners, Strathcona County now has parent support meetings, U-Turn for Youth meetings, a parent support line, counselling, and an anti-bullying program for junior high students. Many other communities have also adopted the Parents Empowering Parents’ model.
Parents Empowering Parents broke new ground when it advocated for what became the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act, which allows courts to have children apprehended, detoxified, and evaluated over a five-day period.
Joel Gorr
Every parent wants a Joel Gorr in their child’s life because he has a lasting, positive impact on them. Joel began coaching soccer in 1999, and he has scored with kids and parents ever since. He’s the kind of coach who can’t get enough of the game – if he’s not behind the bench, you can often spot him cheering in the stands.
Joel has spent countless hours as a director and coach of boys’ and girls’ soccer in the community. But it isn’t just his dedication to the sport that makes him so memorable. Yes, his passion and enthusiasm are legendary, but so is his commitment to fair play, kindness and teamwork.
Joel is a dynamo, with energy to burn and enough passion to fill a soccer field. He’s the kind of volunteer who makes Strathcona County hum, and others end up humming along with him.
Writers Foundation of Strathcona County
Writing is generally a solitary exercise. But while writers tend to work on their own in a quiet room, if their skill is to evolve, they need to bounce ideas off others and seek feedback from them. The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County provides this kind of support.
The Writers Foundation was created in 2005 to encourage emerging writers to practise and hone their craft. The group’s activities include Writers Circle meetings, workshops, mentoring, and sponsoring a young writer to attend the YouthWrite Camp hosted by the Writers Guild of Alberta.
Strathcona County’s many successful writers as well as other Alberta authors, offer their experience and advice at Writers Foundation events, all with the intention of helping budding writers perfect their art in a supportive and positive environment.
Harnessing this generous spirit among authors, and nurturing young writers has been the strongest mark of this pivotal organization in Strathcona County’s arts and culture community.
Frank Dunn
A true community volunteer helps wherever they are needed. That could mean serving on boards of organizations, assisting at community events, or simply lending a hand to a neighbour in need. Frank Dunn covers all those bases and he has been doing so for decades.
Frank, who is a retired RCMP officer, has in-depth involvement in the community. As evidence, he’s helped establish the following well-known organizations: the Sherwood Park Archery Club, the Sherwood Park Remote Flyers Club, Kiwanis Safety City, the Cooking Lake Sailing Club, and the local RCMP auxiliary constable program. He has also taken on the challenging task of coordinating election signs, which is a big job in Strathcona County.
Frank donates his time selflessly and seeks no recognition. He once told a friend that his goal is to “help at least one person every day.” Now that’s inspiring.
Bruce Nelson
The next time you slow down because you’ve seen your speed flashed up on a roadside board, think about Bruce Nelson. Bruce not only initiated Speed Watch in Strathcona County, he’s spent countless hours coordinating the program and training volunteers.
Bruce is a member of Strathcona County Citizens on Patrol, which operates the successful traffic safety program involving a roadside radar unit that displays and records the speed of oncoming vehicles. When RCMP Traffic Services asked the local Citizens on Patrol group to assist in bringing Speed Watch to Strathcona County, Bruce’s hand went up. His responsibilities as coordinator, however, rose far above what you might expect of a volunteer. He trained other volunteers to operate the board, created a schedule, and researched the newest equipment when Citizens on Patrol was in a position to purchase a new speed board. Due to Bruce’s dedication, Strathcona County Speed Watch is a flagship program in Alberta.
The Sherwood Park Eastside Grannies
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Had they been born in Africa more than 60 years ago, the Sherwood Park Eastside Grannies know they would have buried sons and daughters who had died of AIDS and been raising their grandchildren, just like millions of their African counterparts.
To help Africa’s grandmothers, the Eastside Grannies have raised more than $120,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. Local grandmothers and “grand others” raised the money through creative fundraisers such as Good Words for Africa SCRABBLE.
The Eastside Grannies also cooked up the idea of a Rhubarb Rally for Africa, which saw more than 250 people dine on various delicacies made from the tart vegetable. The roots of that event were found in the resourcefulness of African grandmothers who use commonly found plants to feed their families. While the Eastside Grannies admire the ingenuity of their African counterparts, they have proven resourceful in their own way.
Leah Janine Walkeden
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Leah Walkeden is sprinting into an Olympic dream. The track star’s goal is to compete in the 2016 Olympics and, judging by her ability and commitment to her sport, Strathcona County and the rest of Canada will be cheering her on five years from now.
Leah has competed at every level, including nationally and internationally. Today, she’s the fastest athlete in her age category in the 100m and 200m track events in Canada, and in 2010, her relay team set a Canadian record, and earned a gold medal. Like so many top achievers, this Ardrossan High grad was an all-round student. Leah not only excelled academically, she played trumpet in the school’s bands, coached the elementary school track team, and volunteered at events.
The gifted athlete and scholar has been courted by several North American universities but Leah has chosen to remain in Canada to study at the University of Alberta.
Frazer Smith
The art of Taoist Tai Chi has a muchadmired promoter and teacher in Sherwood Park. The Taoist Tai Chi Society is a charitable organization that aims to help people improve their health and mobility, while also promoting understanding and respect.
Frazer Smith began learning Taoist Tai Chi 18 years ago and for the past 15 years has been volunteering his time to teach others. For many years, Strathcona County residents had to travel to Edmonton to practise Taoist Tai Chi, but Frazer imported it to Sherwood Park in the early 2000s. Since then, the local club has become the largest in the region. Frazer is renowned among Tai Chi practitioners for his perpetual smile, humility and selflessness. Taoist Tai Chi is for everyone and Frazer makes sure everyone feels comfortable in his classes. Frazer also fulfils the philosophy of Taoist Tai Chi by directing and preparing Chinese dinners at the Mustard Seed in Edmonton.
Bill Roberts
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Bill Roberts is a local actor and filmmaker who has worked tirelessly to promote arts and culture in Strathcona County.
Bill is the president of the Arts and Culture Council of Strathcona County, which staged a successful Art Expo 2010 and Alberta Arts Days 2010. He also created the Folk Music Series at the Strathcona County Library. On top of these activities, Bill has been involved with the SAFFRON Centre on many levels, including as a volunteer, fundraiser, as well as writer, director and producer of three of its dramatic/educational movies. In 2007, Bill co-chaired the culture and entertainment segment of the Western Canada Summer Games. His work on the Games reflected his knowledge of the arts, particularly in music and the performing arts.
Bill’s fans recognize him as someone who values his family and community. He puts his heart into everything he does, and is appreciated for his honesty, respectful nature and integrity.
Strathcona Christmas Bureau Board
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“Merry Christmas” is an especially poignant term for the board of directors of the Strathcona Christmas Bureau.
This organization needs no introduction to Strathcona County residents because for more than 30 years, it has gone about its work quietly and steadily. It may surprise citizens to know the board begins planning its next campaign in mid-January, only a few weeks after wrapping up its Christmas drive.
The goal of the Christmas Bureau is to brighten the holiday season for less fortunate families by providing them with carefully selected gifts and a two-week supply of food and household goods. In fulfilling its objective, the bureau also offers an opportunity for more than 500 volunteers and countless donors to help others during the Christmas season.
The Board of Directors of the Strathcona Christmas Bureau is a special group that we have come to appreciate as a foundation of our community.
John Honsaker
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An ardent environmentalist, talented musician, knowledgeable birdwatcher and enthusiastic volunteer, he has many fans in his rural community.
After enjoying a distinguished academic career at the University of Alberta, Dr. John Honsaker retired and threw himself wholeheartedly into his Hastings Lake community, which has been his home now for more than 20 years.
On the music front, John is a member of the Beaverhill Brass Quintet, the Recorder and Flute Ensembles, and the Community Wind Bands. He also shares his vast knowledge of winged creatures by providing educational tours of Hastings Lake, Beaverhill Lake, and the Ministik Bird Sanctuary.
This kind-hearted individual is a member of the Hastings Lake Community Association, for which he has held many positions. John, who is viewed as a vibrant and integral citizen, is renowned for the thousands of hours he has dedicated to his appreciative community.
Todd Banks
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Todd Banks is a vigorous ambassador for Strathcona County with a keen interest in building an economically strong and vibrant community.
Todd is the executive director of the Sherwood Park & District Chamber Commerce, which has grown to become Alberta’s fourth-largest chamber. It is also influential. In 2010, Todd led a movement to ensure all members of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce joined the Canadian Chamber. This initiative secured a strong voice for Alberta at the national level.
Todd’s methods are persuasive because he is a consensus builder with a low-key, collaborative leadership style. Todd, however, does not see his abilities in this light because he is a humble man. He never seeks the limelight and always credits success to a team effort.
Alongside with his chamber work, Todd also carves out time to volunteer with the Rotary Club, RCMP Advisory Committee, County Clothes-Line, Strathcona County Library Board, and Communities in Bloom.
Beverley Riediger
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Beverly Riediger not only founded Sherwood Park’s Friendship Group 17 years ago, she remains its guiding light.
The purpose of the international program is to help people with intellectual disabilities explore and express their spirituality. Sherwood Park’s Friendship Group offers people with disabilities an evening of Christian fellowship and fun. It is a non-denominational group, which gathers every two weeks for singing, prayer, and stories. Developmentally challenged adults who belong to The Friendship Group are paired with a mentor who participates alongside them. For many of these mentors, this is their first opportunity to develop a meaningful relationship with someone with a disability.
Along with her administrative duties, such as developing a schedule, arranging for transportation, and recruiting volunteers, Beverly works with eight local churches. Many of the churches have “adopted” a member of the Friendship Group into their congregations, which contributes greatly to the sense of community for a developmentally challenged person.
Muriel Abdurahman - Mayor's Award Recipient
Muriel Abdurahman’s warm demeanour and delightful Scottish brogue make her one of the most recognizable figures in Strathcona County.Muriel has spent years in public life, first as Fort Saskatchewan’s spirited mayor, then as MLA for Clover Bar-Fort Saskatchewan.
She also served as Chair of the Alberta Hospital Foundation and, most recently, as the Chair of the Strathcona County Library Board. It is in her position as Library Chair that Muriel’s tenacity and passion served us particularly well because she became the driving force behind building the wonderful new library in our new Community Centre.
While Muriel has certainly made a tangible mark on our community, many people have also personally benefited from her mentorship. She is a natural leader and positive role model due to her belief in the importance of citizenship and an overriding desire to create a better society for everyone.
Last updated: Thursday, May 03, 2012
Page ID: 7970