Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon is congratulating three community pillars for their contributions and dedication.
Among the winners this year’s Warden’s Caucus Awards is Wanda Hilts of Laurentian Valley, who has spent the past four decades making substantial contributions to the Alice and Fraser Recreation Centre.
Her nomination cites her as instrumental in the revival of the local Alice in Winterland Carnival, as well as the creation of the Fall Flavours Festival and the new 50+ Fit and Fiesty group offering low-cost or free physical activities for seniors that has already gained 315 members in its first year.
Also being celebrated is Clair Cox of Laurentian Hills for his nearly 50 years of volunteerism, 40 of which he spent at the North Renfrew Snowmobile Association.
Cox, who acts as the trail grooming coordinator, leads a group of seventeen operators and promotes volunteerism amongst them through coordination, training, and scheduling, as well as by providing a stellar example for the rest of the organization.
The final award handed out went to the Whitewater Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club, a not-for-profit that has maintained nearly 250 kilometres of trails between Whitewater Region, Horton, Admaston-Bromley, and McNab-Braeside since 1990.
It’s a major commitment from the volunteer group, which the county says commits 770 hours a year to assisting the growth of local winter tourism.
Among their recent contributions was securing funding for a trail-side warmup shack and a paved ramp along O’Brien Road in Renfrew, as well as another warmup shack in Beachburg.
(written by Kasey Egan)
Clair Cox of Laurentian Hills received the 2023 Warden’s Community Service Award in the Individual Category. Taking part in the award presentation during the November 29 session of County Council (from left) were Heather Cox, Clair Cox, County of Renfrew Warden Peter Emon, nominator Bruce Boucher, Rosalee Boucher and Councillor Ann Giardini, Township of Laurentian Hills. County of Renfrew photo
The Whitewater Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club received the 2023 Warden’s Community Service Award in the Not-for-Profit Category. Taking part in the award presentation during the November 29 session of County Council (from left) were Councillor Dave Bennett, Township of Horton; Derek Chapman, financial coordinator and Trevor Stokes, vice-president, Whitewater Sno-Goers; County of Renfrew Warden Peter Emon; Councillor Michael Donohue, Township of Admaston/Bromley and Councillor Neil Nicholson, Township of Whitewater Region. County of Renfrew photo