OLDS — Two residents have been honoured by Seasons Retirement Communities, which operates two facilities in town.
Fern Olson, of Seasons Olds, is one of five winners of the eighth annual Remarkable Residents program, which highlights and celebrates the lives of its residents.
Tom Mirus, who lives in Seasons Encore, is one 15 finalists. In total, there were 108 entries.
The winners were given one month free rent or had their condo fee waived, depending on the individual.
The selection committee looks for contestants who demonstrate one or a combination of the following:
• having made significant achievements in his/her lifetime
• having made important contributions to his/her community
• possessing a unique talent or skill and
• making a positive contribution to the Seasons residence in which he/she lives
Olson was chosen as a winner for many reasons, according to an email from Seasons Retirement Communities.
One factor is that Olson was recognized by Alberta Health Services for volunteering more than 20 years at the Olds Hospital and Care Centre.
“She is the second oldest volunteer in the Alberta central zone,” the email said.
In 2019, Olson received the AHS Spirit of Excellence Award in the outstanding service category. She also received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Rotary Club of Olds.
"Fern is a talented trumpet player, who was honoured by the Royal Canadian Legion for playing at Remembrance Day services for 25 years,” Seasons Olds Retirement Community general manager Donna Heck said.
“She also plays the harmonica and enjoys dancing for entertainment.
"Fern also loves to bake. When a new resident moves into Seasons, she welcomes each one of them with a basket of goodies, as well as on their birthday."
Olson was profiled in a video along with the other four winners.
She spoke about her volunteerism.
“They phoned me from the hospital and asked if I would volunteer and I said, ‘you bet.’ So I have two people that I phone and it’s not that I do it for myself, it’s for them. But I feel better; ‘I did something good today.’
“And if you can do something physically or financially, do it. Do all the good you can.
"Well, we must be here for some reason, even if it’s just helping other people in little ways.
"I like people and I like to help people. It’s a reason to be alive,” she said.
Olson also talked about what music means to her.
“I do love music. Oh, I think it saved my life lots of times; that’s what I feel like. I just love it,” she said.
“Music just makes me feel satisfied and like I can go on and go on and go on. I still play the piano. I usually play the trumpet after everybody else is in bed.”
Mirus was chosen as a finalist due to his resilience and his contributions to the community and the environment.
“Tom had to find a new direction, after fracturing his collarbone in his teens. He was in a full body cast for eight months.
“This meant that he could no longer pursue sports, which he so much enjoyed, and turned to music. He enjoyed playing the saxophone,” reads an email from Seasons Retirement Communities.
He was voted Conservation Officer of the Year.
“This allowed him the opportunity to present his knowledge to school children, wildlife groups, and even the provincial cabinet and premier,” the email added.
