Volunteers Honoured at CiB Luncheon
Pugwash Communities in Bloom (CiB) partnered with the Village Commission today to recognize volunteers and say thanks at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.
While CiB volunteers were heaping praise on the many people who contribute their time and talents to the community, attendees at the luncheon reflected praise back to CiB.
There were four main highlights at the event. The first included a self-introduction by luncheon guests with acknowledgment of their individual volunteer activities. It was noted there are over 50 volunteer organizations serving Pugwash and surrounding areas. It became clear that most of those at the gathering are actively involved in multiple organizations.
Live in Action Awards
The CiB presented its annual Pugwash Community Live in Action Awards to four special recipients:
- Nancy and Chuck Graham who have played key roles in the development of the Farmers Market, HarbourFest, the cultural display panels around the village, and other activities. Speaking on behalf of Nancy, Chuck said, “I volunteer for everything my wife tells me to.”
- Betty Hodgson received the award for her years of effort in a number areas, including the community garden, Friends of the Pugwash Estuary, Ground Search and Rescue, the curling club, and more.
- Jennifer Langill spent the last 14 years in service to children and Home and School efforts at Cyrus Eaton Elementary School and more recently at Pugwash District High School.
- Ben Smith was singled out for his deep commitment to children and sports. The noted disc golf course designer and professional player still finds time to teach, coach and officiate in a variety of sports. Ben remembers that a lot of people helped him in sports through his childhood. Ben says his commitment today is just returning the favour.
The Action winners are shown in the photo, L to R: Betty Hodgson, Jennifer Langill, Chuck Graham, and Ben Smith.
There have been over 50 recipients of the Live in Action Awards since the recognition program began.
Hurricane Heroes
Quickly responding to current events, CiB honoured a number of residents who went above and beyond the call during and after Hurricane Dorian.
There were those who shared a generator, others who travelled around ensuring neighbours were safe and emergency needs were met.
Among them was Langille’s Service Centre. Like everybody else, the business was without power and unable to provide some much-needed service.
As gasoline supplies waned in generators and vehicles, Langille’s found a workaround with a pair of generators that allowed them to open the gas pumps and meet local needs. The nearest operating gas station, the Ultramar in Wallace, had run out of gas.
Shawn Langille is shown in the photo below with Norene Smiley presented the Hurricane Hero plaque.
The 2020 CiB Calendar
The luncheon program opened with the highly anticipated unveiling of the 2020 edition of the CiB calendar. The group has enjoyed its greatest fundraising success since the launch of their famous “nude calendar” three years ago.
The 2020 calendar bears no such hint at controversy as it combines local people with family stories and treasured recipes.
John and Nelly VandeWeil grace the cover of this year’s treasure. The VandeWeils emigrated from the Netherlands, succeeded in farming, and just when retirement came into view they purchased the Home Hardware franchise in Pugwash, a business that remains a family enterprise.
The monthly photo contents include stories and recipes from community members whose roots may have been in other international or Atlantic locations.
With the publication of this year’s calendar, the secret family recipes are no longer secret.
The calendar is now on sale from members of CiB, the Farmers Market, or Pugwash Home Hardware.
The photo below shows L to R: Norene Smiley, “Cover Girl” Nelly VandeWeil, and Judith Ricard.
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