The Donalda Community Hall was packed as people from all across the County of Stettler gathered together to celebrate the volunteers and dedicated residents that make the many communities that make up the county flourish.
The Friday, Feb. 19 event featured a catered dinner, and while guests enjoyed said dinner, local musicians Morgan Baker, from Donalda, and Hillary Clarke, from Gadsby, entertained with their covers of everything from country classics to more modern country music.
This year, Rob and Rhonda Maginn won the Stettler Dodge Community Service Award for their "over and above" contributions to the south region of the county, with award presenter Rhonda Hutton recounting a long list of volunteer service.
The pair, since moving to the community, have contributed to the Sullivan Lake West Agricultural Society, minor hockey in Byemoor, Endiang, Big Valley and Gadsby and were "instrumental" in many of the upgrades to the Endmoor arena, Hutton explained, so much so that the Byemoor community came together to nominate the pair for the community service award.
Darlene Tantrum and Ken Walker took home the ATCO Electric Arts, Culture and Heritage Award, presented by Marlene Conibear. The two individuals have been involved with Donalda's historical and artistic endeavors, with Tantrum being born and raised in Donalda and Walker having moved there in 2007.
"Darlene is very bubbly and excited with history," Conibear said. "(Walker) is quiet but full of ideas for the restoration of the Creamery."
Both individuals had a lot of input into Donalda's centennial celebration a few years ago, "dedicating many hours" to the planning and execution of the celebration, Conibear noted.
Hutton was called forward again, though this time it was to receive an award, rather than present it. She took home the Sullivan Lake West Agricultural Society's Community Service Award for her work pitching in night-and-day.
Donalda's Bruce Gartside took home the Donalda and District Agricultural Society's Community Service Award for his work in Donalda, since moving there several years ago. He dove into his new home, working hard to spearhead projects like the coulee trails and drive-in movie nights.
Leon and Tracy St. Denis won the Red Willow Agricultural Society Community Service Award. While Leon couldn't be there, Tracy accepted the award on the couple's behalf.
"It's me who's grateful to the Ag Society, for giving me a place to belong," she said, as she accepted his plaque.
Ralph and Laurel Pole were called forward to accept the Stettler and District Agricultural Society's Community Service Award. Laurel Pole was obviously surprised by the award, and said that her colleagues were tricky.
"This is not the award I was expecting," she said, explaining that her fellow agricultural society members had tricked her.
The pair, like many of the people receiving awards that night, had gotten into volunteering with their organizations, and presenter Celeste Montpellier said the Poles had breathed new life into the society when they joined several years ago upon moving to Stettler.
Hazel Davidson was posthumously presented with the Botha Community Centre Lifetime achievement award. She was a force in the community, who did "a lot of everything," presenter Lee Deschaine said. Her death had struck a blow to the community, as Davidson's hands were in almost everything. The community renamed its annual family fun skate after Davidson, who was instrumental to the revitalization of the Botha arena.
The future of the community looks positive, though, with youth like Tyson Wedlund, Deschaine said, as he presented the teen with the Botha Community Centre Youth Award.
"If our youth are our future, then with youth like Tyson, the future looks bright," Deschaine said.
"He's always helpful, always first to pitch in, a role-model for good sportsmanship, and looks out for fellow students," Deschaine said.
Wade Hunter won the Big Valley Agricultural Society Community Service Award, but was absent as he was coaching a game in Big Valley during the awards. Dan Webster accepted on his behalf.
For more photos of the awards ceremony, visit the Stettler Independent's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/StettlerIndependent.
