The Community
Press Telling Your Story
Volume 113, Issue 16
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Recognizing outstanding contributions in Constituency
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D O FO E
A number of Flagstaff residents honoured in first ‘Slice of happiness’ evening hosted by MLA
DR I V
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely honoured a number of individuals on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Camrose at what she calls the first “slice of happiness” presentations for the constituency. Lovely hosted the event at the Norseman Inn, where nominees were invited without the real details as to why they were attending. Lovely said she put out the call to municipal government leaders, and other community members for names of people who could be recognized; “I got a very, very long list,” she said, indicating that she will probably be holding similar recognition events. Lovely invited a number of the Camrose Downtown Business Association members to set up displays at Wednesday’s event. “My hope is that our first event this evening will grow into an event that we can repeat and perhaps even rotate around the entire constituency.” Special guest for the evening was Alberta Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney, who said it was her first trip to Camrose. Sawhney gave a brief address to start off the evening, saying, “I’m so delighted to be here. “I know it hasn’t been an easy time with COVID-19. “I think collectively as a community and as a province, we have done a phenomenal job managing the spread of the virus, and that is something we should all be very proud of.” She talked about her background in volunteerism, saying it gave her the most profound sense of purpose during her life. She gave a shout out to local FCS offices in the region for the work they have been doing, “I know that the challenges are real.” Camrose Mayor Norm Mayer also welcomed guests, praising the Camrose community, and its strong volunteer base. He spoke about the challenges of COVID19, saying, “We are in it together; together we will get through it. We have to keep out heads up, and keep going, to make our community stronger. “We are not quitters, we will do our best going for-
Both the Killam and Alliance Fire Departments held food drives, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, with generous support from both communities. The Killam Fire Department went door to door Wednesday evening and gather 923 pounds of food and $200 in cash donations. The Alliance Fire Department held the food drive instead of their normal door-to-door smoke detector checks this year, collecting 255 pounds of food and $20 cash. Above: Killam Fire Department members unload a huge haul at the Flagstaff Food Bank after conducting a door-to-door food drive. CARY CASTAGNA PHOTO ward.” He thanked Lovely for arranging the evening. Going forward with the surprise theme of the evening, Mayer was the first individual recognized for his contributions to the community. She told the audience that if their names were called, they may feel that they are not deserving, asking them to remember that their names were put forward by others, who feel that they were deserving of recognition. Sawhney make the presentation to Mayer, reading a preprepared presentation outlining his accomplishments and contributions to the Camrose community, through volunteerism, business, and community service as a member of Camrose City Council. Diane McLaren of Camrose was the second person recognized at the event, as longtime Director of the Camrose Adult Learning Council. Ken Drever was the next person recognized for his outstanding service to both the Flagstaff and Camrose communities over the years. Lovely read Ken’s nomination, saying, “Ken has always believed in giving back to the community that has treated him and his family generously over his lifetime. He has always encouraged his family to be thoughtful with each other and carry on the giving ways that he learned from his parents 90 years ago. “Ken Drever has improved the lives of many residents in the Camrose City, and the region. Some of his involvements include Town of Hardisty Council, Camrose Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Camrose, founding member of the Battle River Community
Foundation, fundraising campaigns for local charities and organizations - too numerous to remember. “Ken Drever is not fond of being in the spotlight, however we wanted to recognize him for his many contributions to the communities and constituency of Camrose.” Accepting on his behalf was his son, Cliff Drever. Lynne Jenkinson, Executive Director of Flagstaff Family and Community Services, made a number of presentations to those serving the Flagstaff Community. Jenkinson first recognized Killam RCMP Detachment Acting Commander Trent Cleveland, who incidentally thought he was invited to the event only to make a presentation to Jenkinson. See HAPPINESS P9
Ken Drever was one of seven people from Flagstaff recognized by Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely last week, accepted by his son Cliff Drever from Social Services Minister Rajan Sawhney..