Under the Agrena lights, two faces glowed with surprise and delight.
Pride, gratitude, modesty and a desire to share their good fortune were also evident as Shannon and Carla Carlson received Barrhead’s prestigious annual honour for volunteers: the Rosemary Empey Award.
People had banged their tables ahead of the announcement, creating a drum roll to ratchet up suspense during last Wednesday’s Volunteer Appreciation Night. As the names were read, there was a huge ovation.
“Thanks very much. We certainly didn’t expect this,” said Shannon, president of the Barrhead &District Agrena Society. “There were some great nominees and it’s really an honour to be here.
“To have a full house like this is just fantastic. It shows what we have in this town.”
Shannon asked Agrena Society members to stand and take applause, hailing them for their efforts.
“We are few, but we are mighty,” he said.
Also honoured at the festive event were Barrhead Public Library volunteer Ella Stoik, winner of the Longstanding Service Award, and teenager Emma van Loon, who was named Youth Volunteer of the Year for her ten-year involvement in the 4-H program.
Stoik described people in the library as a “wonderful, wonderful group to work with.”
“If you haven’t been to the library in a long time I would encourage you to come and check out what we have got for you,” she said. “It is quite an amazing establishment in this town.”
To rapturous applause Van Loon paid tribute to the 4-H program, which has inspired her to become a role model to younger members.
“I want to thank the 4-H community the most right now for without them I wouldn’t really be the person I am today,” she said. “I have learned so much through 4-H.”
The awards ceremony was the climax to Barrhead’s 12th Volunteers Appreciation Night, which attracted about 500 people.
This year’s theme, “Volunteers: Everyone Counts … Count Me In!”, captured the spirit of giving which is expected to be the hallmark of a momentous sporting year.
A fun-filled evening featured speeches, door prizes, historical videos and a wealth of local entertainment, including singing, dancing and piano playing.
Other highlights were the summer games 50-50 draw and the presentation of Barrhead Public Library’s “Making A Difference” award to Victim Services; it was accompanied by a musical video, describing the group’s work.
In addition, there was the surprise announcement by Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec of a $75,000 boost for the Alberta 55-plus Summer Games fundraising effort. It was money from Alberta Culture’s Community Initiatives Program.
Kubinec was among a host of VIPs in attendance. Others included Barrhead Mayor Brian Schulz, deputy reeve Darrell Troock, businessman Lambert Veenstra, who was representing Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield, and the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce’s Inge De Herdt.
Also present were chair of the Alberta 55-plus Summer Games, Gerry St. Pierre, veteran sportswoman Elsie Measures and historian Anna Churchill, from Barrhead Centennial Museum.
The evening began with a bagpipes fanfare from Gary Hove followed by supper.
A guitars-keyboard-violin ensemble – Kendall Taylor, Karen Taylor, Shawn Stephani, Laura Braucht and Helanna Penner – performed an assortment of popular classics as diners queued for food and tucked into lasagna, salad and dessert.
Songs like “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and “With A Little Help From My Friends” satisfied the palate of any Beatles fans, while Carole King enthusiasts enjoyed “You’ve Got A Friend.”
After Rotary Music Festival winner in voice, Amanda Terpsma, and Mirium Vanderveen sang O Canada, Volunteer Appreciation Committee chair Jenny Bruns was the first to deliver greetings and opening remarks.
Bruns said she had brought along her seven-year-old daughter, Erin, who was keen to discover what volunteering was about. Asked to write down her thoughts, Erin had come up with wise words reflecting the unvarnished candour and directness of a child: “They help people and help animals ...” … “They do stuff that other people can’t do …” … “They help us stay healthy.”
Bruns said Erin’s words underlined the special role volunteers play in the community.
Bruns’ quip about “boring” speeches became a running joke between speakers, who were quick to critique each other’s efforts.
As if to preempt criticism, De Herdt’s first words were: “My speech is short so it cannot be boring.”
De Herdt said the Chamber wanted to congratulate the nominees, understanding the commitment required for volunteering.
“Hats off to all of you, we hope you have a wonderful evening,” she said.
When Schulz came to the microphone, he joked: “My speech is long, but not quite as boring as Jenny’s. Her daughter did write my speech and I had to throw it away because the words were too big.”
Schulz went on to welcome Kubinec to the event, praising her contribution to the area.
“The volunteers are the backbone of our community,” he said. “Without them many, many projects would be left undone.”
Troock, standing in for reeve Bill Lee who had prior engagements, saluted the “outstanding” volunteers for their service to children’s programs and for helping seniors.
“I would like to say to all the volunteers ‘you have touched all our lives and our hearts’. Thank you very much and God bless,” he said.
Veenstra read a speech by Merrifield, who was in Ottawa and unable to attend the function.
“If my speech is boring, remember I didn’t write it,” Veenstra said, adding that Merrifield wished to congratulate all the nominees and extend his best wishes.
Kubinec said it was an absolute pleasure and an honour to represent the area.
“The entrepreneurial spirit in this constituency is just amazing and many of us don’t know some of the little gems in our community,” she said. “One of the gems is the volunteer spirit.”
Kubinec said acts of volunteerism empower individuals to make a difference.
“We are fortunate to live in a province that values the volunteer spirit,” she said.
As the wail of bagpipes refilled the arena, 11-year-old Carley McMann whirled into the spotlight with an energetic display of highland dancing, reviving the Scottish flavour introduced by Hove.
“I’ve been dancing for five years,” she told Master of Ceremonies Dale Greig, adding she was preparing for a competition in June.
What got her started in dancing?
“I wanted to do something like this,” she said to laughter and applause.
The focus then fell on the summer games and Barrhead’s history as Measures, bedecked in medals from sporting exploits, took over the microphone.
“If you’re unable to participate in the Games, please consider volunteering for them,” she said.
“For myself, being a volunteer these many years has been both enjoyable and rewarding.
“People pulling together is what makes our community great.”
Measures, secretary of the Barrhead Historical Society, said she was involved in preserving artifacts and the history of the area in the museum.
“Our museum will be open for the summer months beginning in June,” she added.
“We have agreed to provide the history that you will see on the signs of the Blue Heron walking trail posts. It’s mostly the history of early Barrhead.”
St. Pierre said volunteerism was synonymous with Barrhead and would be key to the success of the July 25-28 games – one of “the most prestigious events ever held here.”
“We are now ready to recruit the frontline experts,” he said. “The people who will truly be the faces of the games to make the event successful.”
St. Pierre said the Games board was asking people to open up their homes, because there were not enough hotel rooms.
“We anticipate we will need about 50 or 60 homes,” he said.
The speeches over, it was left to entertainers to get people in a festive mood.
After Rotary Music Festival winner in piano, Amanda Warkentin, showed off dazzling technique on the piano, Carolyn Bajer, Zelda King, Phyllis Nanninga and Pauline Smecko got toes tapping with their step dancing.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived … it was the time to announce the award winners, starting with the Outstanding Youth Volunteer.
Joining Van Loon on stage was fellow nominee the St. John’s Lutheran Youth Group, whose members are aged between 12 and 22.
Next up was Stoik, followed by Rosemary Empey award nominees Margaret Wimmer, Barrhead Grizzly Trail Fire and Rescue Association and the Carlsons.
MC Greig said the Carlsons had spearheaded many projects and were at the forefront of the swimming pool fundraising drive.
They have also been involved in the Blue Heron Walking Trail, including the design and construction of the boardwalk, he said.
In addition, Shannon has coached hockey and baseball, and volunteers for the Freedom Community Club, while Carla is chair of cycling for the Alberta 55-plus Summer Games.
“Shannon and Carla have done so much to ensure Barrhead is a wonderful community to call home,” said Greig.
As the crowd drifted away, Shannon and Carla reflected on their award, saying recognition was nice but not the reason for their community involvement.
“I was surprised,” Shannon said. “There were a lot of good volunteers out there and we were just happy to be nominated.”
“It’s an honour,” said Carla. “We do a lot of work, but the reason we step up is because once you do so many people are behind you.”
She said the walking trail project remained very important, but priority had to go to another major venture.
“The highlight is the pool right now,” Carla said.
Volunteer night organizer Elaine Dickie, director of Barrhead Public Library, was delighted with the success of the three-hour event.
She thanked everyone who had contributed, including Southside Greenhouses, which donated flowers as door prizes and table decorations.
“Every year the event gets better and better,” Dickie said. “There is always such an amazing turnout.”
