Thee Communit Th Communityy
Press Merry & Bright
Volume 115, Issue 23
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
$1 Including GST
Prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medals awarded Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Seven thousand Albertans will receive the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal by Jan. 23 next year, and a number of Flagstaff residents have been honoured over the past few weeks. Alberta Municipalities held two different awards ceremonies over the weekend of Nov. 26 and 27 to present Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals. Two local non-elected recipients under the Citizen Community Builders program included Dwight Dibben of Forestburg, and Muriel Fankhanel of Daysland (formerly Alliance). They received their awards during a special ceremony in Edmonton at the Westin Hotel. AM president Cathy Heron presented all the awards. Fankhanel was nominated by Alliance Mayor Leslie Ganshirt for her dedication to volunteerism during her time in Alliance. The awards were also presented to all sitting mayors including Wayne Button of Daysland, Leslie Ganshirt of Alliance, Wayne Jackson of Hardisty, Ben Kellert of Killam, Stephen Levy of Sedgewick, Brandon Martz of Heisler, Shawn Sieben of Lougheed, Blaise Young of Forestburg, Gill Shelby of Hughenden, and Bill Rock of Amisk. Not all were able to attend either of two ceremonies held over
the weekend. Rural Municipalities Association handed out medals to all reeves during their recent conference a few weeks prior, at which time Flagstaff County Reeve Don Kroetch received the medal from RMA President Paul McLauchlin. Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely held her own presentation ceremony on Monday, Nov. 28, for the nominations she received. Lovely said the awards were created for and given to Albertans for outstanding service, like the late Queen, who have dedicated themselves to family, community, and their country. “They have demonstrated a contribution to Canada, or Alberta, or a particular region in an Alberta community.” For nominations submitted through Lovely as Camrose MLA, “They must live within the Camrose constituency. They may have also shown significant community support during COVID-19 at a local level, or significant volunteer service at a local level.” Lovely said the Platinum Jubilee medal was created by the Province to recognize and honour a significant royal milestone. “It is the only significant royal milestone that has not been commemorated by a national commemorative medal.” Seeing a need for recognition, especially coming out of the See JUBILEE P9
FIRST Board Chair Allen Dietz received his medal from Jackie Lovely last Monday, Nov. 28. He was nominated by FFCS Executive Director Lynne Jenkinson.
Sedgewick Mayor Stephen Levy (far right) nominated Ian Malcolm and Karen Robinson for the Platinum Jubilee medal, which was presented by Jackie Lovely.
Forestburg native Dwight Dibben received a nomination through Alberta Municipalities in the Citizen Community Builders category. He received his medal Sunday, Nov. 27 from AM President Cathy Heron at the Westin Hotel in Edmonton.
Sedgewick Mayor Stephen Levy (not pictured here) also nominated Tyson Armitage, Sedgewickʼs Fire Chief. Jackie Lovely made the presentation.