INNISFAIL - The town's 2018 Community Awards has honoured extraordinary citizens in 10 categories for their individual and community achievements.
The winners were announced during a gala evening on Oct. 12 at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion. The event, which also featured this year’s Business Awards, was co-sponsored by the Town of Innisfail and the Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce.
Dean Turnquist won this year's Citizen of the Year Award, while Gary and Sheila Stangness were recipients of the inaugural Random Acts of Kindness Award, presented by Innisfail's Larrie Davis, who created the award on behalf of Primerica Financial Services, and inspired by his late wife Judy who passed away last May.
For the past 23 years Turnquist organized the annual Dean Turnquist Spring Fever Road Hockey Tournament, which raised a total of close to $250,000 and helped more than 150 underprivileged children through the Helping Hand Fund.
"We do it because it makes us feel better about ourselves, and our community," he told the audience. "There is an old saying that goes, 'We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.'"
As for the Stangness couple, they are selfless citizens totally "under the radar" who have for many decades selflessly donated time, food, support and even financial help to grieving families and those with illnesses -- anyone who had a genuine need, noted Davis.
"Judy was close to both of them. All three were the kind of people who would step out and do something for anybody," said Davis, the regional vice-president for Primerica. "Sometimes little things, but sometimes great big things."
Sheila said the honour was "just unbelievable" and unexpected. "Everybody in this hall knows of someone who could have gotten this award but I am really happy we did," she said.
But the community awards were also about celebrating accomplishments of talented and hard working citizens, both young and old.
Thirteen-year-old Carson Kowaski, a provincial and national champion BMX rider, dazzled this year by finishing with a fourth-place world ranking in Baku, Azerbaijan. He is the Male Athlete of the Year.
"I am very excited because there are so many top athletes. They are excelling in their sports, and to win this is a big accomplishment," said the Grade 8 student.
As for the Female Athlete of the Year Award, that was won by accomplished softball player Darby DeRuyter, who led her Elnora Eagles team to national gold last summer. She then excelled for Canada at the Little League World Series in Delaware.
"I told my dad when I was about seven my biggest goal was to play for Team Canada, and I achieved that when I was 15, and I am so proud of that," said the Grade 10 student.
And then there was also applause for older athletes. The provincial gold medal-winning Innisfail Merchants Junior AAA baseball team and coach Brett Littlefair earned Sports Team of the Year and Coach Recognition awards respectively.
Corbyn Shields, former Merchants shortstop and now Innisfail Trappers player, accepted both awards, as Littlefair was unable to attend. "I think it goes to show how much work has been put in, and how hard Brett has worked since the start," said Shields. "I think it has been a long time coming. I think it is a great thing, something to look back on and build off of."
It was quite a night for John Buyks, whose family claimed the Business Awards' Farm Family of the Year Award. The retired 65-year-old cyclist, who won two gold medals at the Canada 55+ Games last summer, is this year's winner of the Mayor's Fitness Award.
He said the most important message to share was for citizens to look at the Alberta 55 plus website for recreational and sporting opportunities. "it is a lot of fun for people to be active," he said.
Being active was also a key reason that led to awards for the evening's other winners. Katherine Gabert is this year's Leaders of Tomorrow Award winner. She is a 16-year-old Grade 12 student who has already demonstrated leadership skills at school and with 4-H.
"I think the right word for it is that it's an honour and privilege that I didn't think I would get to receive this year," she said.
And that humility was also echoed by the other two award winners -- Maureen and Dave Hample who won the Community Builder Award, and Jacalyn Carr who earned the Community Arts & Culture Award.
Carr is a talented artist who has been a member of the Innisfail Art Council since 2016, and been instrumental in the organization's tripling of growth since, as well as its education director and a key member for the successful annual Art Show and Sale.
"I am very thrilled to win this. We've all worked hard, and there is certainly other members of our group deserving of it as well but I am very proud to have won it," said Carr.
The Hamples have been longtime volunteers at the local food bank, and had active roles with the Knights of Columbus, Syrian refugee committee and Catholic Women's League. As well, Maureen tirelessly organized entertainment for Autumn Glen Lodge residents for the past nine years, while Dave, a former RCMP officer, volunteered with the Innisfail and District Victim Services and Restorative Justice program.
"It means so much to us. The people of Innisfail are so giving. We never thought we were doing anything to be recognized," said Dave. "Yes, Innisfail is a wonderful town."
