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Millet 3rd Annual Community Awards

Pipestone Flyer

    The 3rd annual Community Awards were held at the Millet Agriplex Banquet Hall, Saturday, November 9. These awards are given to outstanding individuals, organizations and business in recognition of their contributions to the community. The event is sponsored by the Millet and District Lions Club and the Town of Millet, the awards are sponsored by local organizations and business.

       The Awards, Recipients and Sponsors for this year are:

Volunteer of the Year: Les Soanes                                                  Sponsored by: ATB Financial, Millet. Les was recognized for all his contributions to the Curling Club as the ice maker and maintenance person for the last 7 years. He has never taken any credit or compensation for his invaluable contributions to the Curling Club.

Organization/Group Award: Rev. Montgomery and Ron Fengstad Sponsored by: Millet & District Ag. Society. The Millet Ministerial Supports the Millet Community Food Bank by providing churches with a regular needs list for the food bank, participating in annual food drives, volunteering at the food bank, offering an inter-denominational Sunday worship during Harvest Fair and early morning Easter Sunday worship service, supporting Youth for Christ at Sentry house, hosting The Mayors Breakfast and offering an annual Christmas Celebration.

Coach/Leader: Kenny Herman Sponsored by: Chuck O’Niell Distributers. Kenny is not only a hockey coach, he is also the Referee in Chief for Millet Minor Hockey. Under his leadership the referee program has risen to new heights.

Youth Achievement-Under 18: Matthew Benkendorf Sponsored by: Leduc/Wetaskiwin Pipestone Flyer. Matthew’s willingness to volunteer his time to Millet Minor Hockey, the Ag. Society, Millet Legion and the Leduc Hospital while attending WCHS make him an outstanding youth.

Public Service Award: Jackie Peel                                                                 Sponsored by: Mullen Insurance.                                                                                                                               In addition to having a full time and a part time job, Jackie finds time to help and volunteer her time to various community organizations and events including Wild Pink Yonder Ride for Breast Cancer, the Millet United Church, the Wetaskiwin Rotary Mango fundraiser , minor soccer, the Griffith-Scott FROG program and Communities in Bloom.

Good Neighbour Award: 

Candy Dixon Sponsored by: Millet Fresh Market. Candy embodies everything a good neighbor is. She clears driveways for her neighbors in the winter and cuts grass in the summer. She also drops off homemade preserves, apple sauce, and jam and will often visit with a bouquet of flowers from her garden.

Business of the Year:  Kilborn Antiques Sponsored by: Millet Fas Gas.                                                                                                                             Kilborn Antiques provides a provincial, national and international draw of visitors. Al has also contributed annually to the Millet Museum by evaluating the new acquisitions. Kilborn Antiques exemplifies how a business can draw people off of Main Street with the appearance of their business and surroundings.

Mayor’s Merit Award: Goffre Plaquin                                                           Sponsored by: Town of Millet.                                                                                                                           Geoffre has provided Millet with an outstanding Remembrance Day Service and was instrumental in having 51 Avenue renamed Hero’s Memorial Drive, along with the streets joining the avenue renamed as well. This project to honour our military and veterans was internationally acclaimed at The Communities in Bloom Ceremony.

Citizen of the Year: Pat Garrett Sponsored by: Millet Fish & Game Association. Pat was one of the original people to start Wetaskiwin & District Victim Services Unit, Citizens on Patrol Program in Millet and is a Councillor for Millet. She is the present chair on the board for the Restorative Justice Program for Wetaskiwin and area, works bingos for the Ag. Legion, Lions and others. Pat is also involved with The Millet & District Agricultural Society, Millet & District Historical Society and is the current President of the Millet & District Lions Club.

Life Time Community Service: 

Al Hegge  Sponsored by: Millet & District Historical Society. Al was a member of the Millet Board of Trade and the President of the Millet Chamber of Commerce in the 1970’s. A charter member of the East West Millet Rural Fire Co-Op since ’76, he continues to serve as Treasurer. Al has been a Millet Fire Department Volunteer since 1970 and served as Chief from 1985-2000. Instrumental in planning and construction of the Fire Hall that opened in 2000 and continues to assist in obtaining new equipment.                                                                                                                    Some of Al’s other accomplishments are: charter member of Millet & District Lions Club, President of the Millet & District Historical Society, member of the Millet Royal Canadian Legion and President 1984-1985, President of the Millet & District Seniors Citizens Club, Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 , and 40 year continued Fire Department Service Medal- Governor General.

Long Service Award: Roy Elderkin                                  Sponsored by: Royal Canadian Legion, Millet Branch.  Roy has been with the Millet Fire Department since 1973 and has served the department for 40 years as both a firefighter and a Captain. He has been instrumental in setting up a safety program and remains senior safety officer today.

    Roy has been honoured by the Lieutenant Governor with the Dominion of Canada’s Fire Fighters Exemplary Service medal for 20 years, then the first bar for 30 years and the second bar for 40 years of exemplary service, and has also been presented with the Alberta Emergency Service medal. He has received a gold ring with the Millet Fire Fighters Crest from the Town of Millet for 25 years of service and a gold watch for 30 years of service. Roy’s knowledge is an asset and a valuable resource for the Millet Fire Department and he serves as a role model to all members.