A creative volunteer was the top choice for this year’s Spruce View and District Lion’s Club citizen of the year award.
Les Johnston, north of Markerville Creamery, spends most of his free time either at the creamery or Fensala Hall.
“I’ve seen him come in and volunteer day after day,” said Donna Nelson, president of the Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society board, who nominated Johnston.
“He’s willing, dedicated and committed,” she said of the works she’s seen him accomplish in his 10 plus years with the Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society in Markerville, a non-profit organization that owns and operates three provincially designated historic sites and a century-old cemetery.
Some of Johnston’s work includes fixing or repairing anything from a leaky roof, faulty dishwasher or broken fence, but he’s better known for his ingenuity in creating models and activities to attract visitors.
Johnston is responsible for the milking cows he created from barrels and the bull kids can ride.
“They’re a hit with the kids,” he said of the mechanical cows that are full of water for children to “milk”.
“They can ride them or milk them. There’s races in the summer where they have to milk the cow and walk back and fill a bucket. They’re just screaming and screaming,” he said of children’s excitement.
Johnston got involved with the society in 1999, helping with the summer floats that head into parades. After that he got on the board, and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I just got more and more into it, that everything I’m involved with now I can’t get off. That’s what happens, you stay around to maintain what’s been done,” he said, explaining keeping the tourism draw strong is important to him.
“It’s always harder in the rural area to get people in off the main highways,” he said.
Johnston also worked on a model project of Markerville based on a photo of the town from 1907.
The model town was made for Alberta’s centennial celebrations in 2005, but has become a regular display on the grounds during the summer.
“… I got into it and researched in the history books and ended up making it to scale,” said Johnston of what originally started out as a photo project.
Johnston also volunteers in the Hola district where he helps maintain a century-old school building for history-related school programs during the summer, and for card parties and community events in the winter. He also belongs to the Benalto Elks where he helps with turkey suppers, bartending and special events.
For the past 10 years, Johnston has served on the Spruce View and District Recreation Board representing the Hola/Centreville area of Red Deer County.
Johnston will receive his award Jan. 12 during the Spruce View Lion’s Club Charter night. For more information on the evening, phone 403-728-2845.
