Husband and wife duo Dwayne and Loretta Keller said they were surprised when their names were announced as Clyde Ag Society’s volunteers of the year at the Ag 500 banquet last Saturday.
Last year’s winner Jim Nyal presented the pair with the plaque at the Clyde Community Hall after listing off the community contributions the couple has provided over the years.
Clyde Ag Society president Perry Lumayko said he was pleased with the results, adding that both deserved recognition.
“Ever since they moved into the community they’ve been great. They get involved in everything. It’s not like you ever need to ask them to do anything because they just show up to help and that’s what’s nice,” he said.
The Kellers moved to the village six years ago and said they have never regretted their decision.
“We really like this community and have been apart of it ever since we got here,” Dwayne said, adding that the warm welcome made it easy for them to get involved.
It did not take the couple long to blend in with the Clyde community, Lumayko said.
“When they first moved to town they would go for walks quite a bit in the evening and people commented that they would see them picking up the garbage around town,” he said.
Clyde Ag Society member Dennis Hampshire said people in the village have come to rely on the pair to lend a helping hand even if it is outside of working hours.
“When he (Dwayne) wasn’t on the clock he would do extra things on his own time like if a fence needed fixing or if the snow needed to be cleared. Whenever we needed a hand we can call him and he would help,” he said.
One of the bigger projects the Kellers were praised for was their leadership in the snowmobile rally event.
“They checked out the trails in advance and they did all the prep work and everything. They even organized the silent auction and stuff,” Lumayko said.
Building an RV campground beside the rodeo ground was another project the husband and wife were honoured for at the Ag 500.
“They both work full time and you see them down there at the campground in the evenings all of the time. People are helping them but they are the ones doing everything,” he said.
For the past 30 years the Ag 500 has recognized various community members for their dedication and service to the village making it one of the Ag Society’s biggest fundraising events of the year.
“It sells out every year and people do appreciate it,” Dwayne said.
Showing appreciation and gratitude at events like the Ag 500 is important in the community, Lumayko said.
“You want people like that in your community. We’re so glad they moved to Clyde,” he said.
