A very high honour was recently awarded to a number of individuals from the area. On Nov. 16, 2012, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals were given out in Estevan. Locally Irene Doty (Carlyle), Donald Lees (Arcola), Peter Piper (Stoughton), John Pott (Carlyle), Barbara Swallow (Maryfield), Jack Wilson (Carlyle), and Kyle Wilton (Stoughton) were recognized for their contributions to their communities.
"I was very pleased to be part of a ceremony in both Weyburn and Estevan where a number of honoured recipients were awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal," Ed Komarnicki, MP Souris-Moose Mountain, said.
This medal was created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 60th Anniversary as the Head of State, an anniversary reached by only one other ruler, Queen Victoria, Her Majesty's great, great grandmother. In total, across Canada, 60,000 people will be presented with the honour. People of all ages were nominated for contributing to their communities and making an impact, for the better, where they reside.
"Each of the individuals has left a mark on our society and those in their sphere of influence. I commend them all for their hard work and dedication and for standing firm in the values they believe in," Komarnicki stated, "It was an exciting day for the medal recipients and for them to be publicly recognized for their contribution to their community and country."
Irene Doty was nominated for the honour through her selfless service to the community of Carlyle. She has helped in preserving period costumes which have been used during Dickens, scrap booking articles of interest, as well as diligently working towards having Moose Creek Church turned into a Heritage Site.
She has worked with the Air Cadet League of Canada since 1974 and has served on the National Executive in 1984. Currently she is Chair of the National Scholarship Committee and she has also held other positions as well.
Doty has been involved with the "local school board, Home and School, United Church Women, Carlyle Pastoral Charge, and the Co-op Board of Directors," the press release stated.
Doty has also held an executive position with the Figure Skating Club and was a hockey mom for many years. Recently she has also created an Annual Garden Party, which is held for senior ladies to enjoy.
Donald Lees has committed much time into his community through founding Moose Mountain Livestock Co-op and the Moose Mountain Agriculture Day. He has also served on "the Arcola School Board, St. Andrews United Church Board, the Sunrise Community Futures Committee, and the Upper Souris Environmental Group Plan Committee," the press release listed.
Coaching minor ball and being a leader in 4-H has also been ways Lees has given back to his community.
Lees is also the owner/operator of L4 Bull Test Station. Involved with the beef industry he has been involved with the Saskatchewan Hereford Association and the Canadian Herford Association throughout the years as well.
Peter Piper was recognized with a Diamond Jubilee Medal through his active role as a Royal Canadian Legion Member for 35 years. Serving on both the local and provincial executive he is currently "the Provincial President of the Saskatchewan Command, the Dominion Vice President, and Chairman of the National Membership Committee," a press release stated.
Previously he has received numerous awards in recognition of his services to his community through a Volunteer Medal, Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.
Piper has been involved as President of the Stoughton Curling Club and he remains involved with the community as Chairman of the Border International Field Trails as well as the Stoughton Housing Authority.
John Pott served with the RCMP for 35 years. Following retirement in 1992 he joined the Royal Canadian Legion and is currently Chairman of the Provincial Advisory Committee as well as a Long Term Care Surveyor for Veteran Affairs Canada.
He holds a number of awards and medals from both the Royal Canadian Legion and the RCMP. Through the Legion he has received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Palm Leaf, and the Meritorious Medal. With the RCMP he received Bronze, Silver, and Gold Clasps for the Long Service Medal.
Pott has received two other Queen Jubilee Medals, one in 1977, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal, and one in 2002, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.
Barbara Swallow has received the award for her numerous years working in the community of Maryfield. She was a teacher for 28 years in the community, concerned with the creation of upstanding community members through teaching her students not only about school subjects; but, about life as well. She was able to do this in the classroom as well as through coaching a number of sports with the school.
Currently she is a Lion's member and has also been a large contributor to the Maryfield Recreation Board as well as the Maryfield Curling Club. Swallow is also associated as regional director of the Saskatchewan Curling Association through which she has organized a number of bonspiels for the SCA and local bonspiel's.
Jack Wilson is always ready to lend a hand in Carlyle. For 20 years he acted as CIC officer for 723 Moose Mountain Air Cadets, retiring as Captain and Commanding officer. He then took on the role as Area Director for the Air Cadet League of Saskatchewan.
As a Rural Municipality councillor he has been a part of many committees including the "fire department board, cemetery board, and the local Agriculture Days committee," the press release states.
Wilson also helped to create the Agro Environmental Group Plan for Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Saskatchewan and began a post-harvest party for farmers and their families in northeast Carlyle.
He would go on to join the Royal Canadian Legion to which he would take on several different executive positions with.
Kyle Wilton has been involved with the 2302 Weyburn Cadets for five years. Through this he has received the Lord Strathcona Medal and the Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence.
His dedication to the community is shown as a Junior Cadet with the fire department in Stoughton attending meetings and responding to fires as well as accidents.
"He attends the calls as much as possible, during school, and even during the night, and still makes it to school the following day," the press release explains, "He also helps the fire chief with the local fire safety week at the school."
Wilton volunteers at numerous events and is appreciated throughout the community for all he does.
All of those who have received medals have made their communities a better place to live and are intrinsically involved in continuing the betterment of their homes.
