Times Staff

Minden Hills celebrated outstanding volunteers at its annual volunteer and staff appreciation dinner on Dec. 8.

Sinclair Russell won the Gordon A. Monk Award so named for Monk’s achievements and value he placed on volunteerism and citizen participation and awarded to Russell for his activism in the community and his role in bringing events such as Lights and Delights and Minden Pride to the community.

The Ross Rigney Award for Civic Contribution named for Minden Hills’ first reeve and recognizing the value he placed on mentoring youth and encouraging their participation in the community was awarded to local teen Darian Maddock for his work with the Minden Food Bank.

The Minden Hills Good Neighbour Award which can be awarded to a permanent or seasonal “unsung hero” was awarded to Mickey Bonham for being an active member in various projects that included fundraising galas for the hospital auxiliary being co-founder of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers group a dedicated volunteer for Community Care and the Terry Fox run and a singer in the Shout Sisters.

The Arts and Culture award new this year was awarded to Minden Times reporter Sue Tiffin for resurrecting the Festival of Banners program and joining the Minden Hills Cultural Centre Foundation.
The award is given for significant contribution to the art and culture life of Minden Hills through the development support preservation or promotion of local heritage culture music visual performing or literary arts.

The Trillium Award also new this year recognizes individuals groups or businesses whose horticultural community beautification civic pride protection conservation or enhancement of the environment supports the Communities in Bloom program.
The award went to long-time members of the Horticultural Society Liz and Nick Case who have organized work parties to prune weed mulch and maintain the Village Green gardens.
Hosts who took part in the Doors Open event this past fall were recognized as well.

The Sports and Recreation Award intended for an individual team or group whose athletic accomplishments exemplify healthy active living in Minden Hills received no nominations this year.
The awards are open to nominations from the public each year. For more information visit mindenhills.ca.