WHITTON AWARDS FOR 1999

BY PAT HIEMSTRA

n Wednesday May 31, friends, family, previous award winners and residents filled Assembly Hall at Lansdowne Park to honor their community's volunteers at the 8th annual Whitton Awards Ceremony, named for Ottawa's first female mayor and former alderman for Capital Ward, Charlotte Whitton.

Councillor Inez Berg, who hosted the ceremony, said, "This important event allows us all to celebrate our volunteers and the many wonderful things they do for the community." Helping Councillor Berg were co-presenters, Mayor Jim Watson, Linda Thom, Malak Karsh, John Gomez and Simon Lobo.

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

• Miss Helen Bayne has provided outstanding commitment to helping the residents of Glebe Centre experience a brighter, happier life.
• Stan Currie was recognized for his unflagging commitment to public awareness, activism and mobilization concerning public education.
• Judy Field, a tireless community volunteer, gives her time and talent to many causes, organizing Heart and Stroke Association, establishing daycare centres and being a Block Representative.
• Glebe Report editor, Susan Jermyn, has been a leader and team player, fair-minded, reliable and a very hard working volunteer in the community.
• John Graham has volunteered many years in Old Ottawa South. After leading the 17th Southminster Beaver Colony for 11 years, he joined the Board of Ottawa South community Association and is currently its president.
• In Ottawa East, Maria Rigby has volunteered much time and energy in women's' sports, the Mainstreeter community paper, the Ottawa Mennonite Church refugee program and the Peace Exchange Network.
• Doris Sheffer, of Heron Park North has spent many years helping and encouraging osteoporosis sufferers.
• Anne Scotton is current president and has been an active member of the Glebe Community Association as well as Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group.

SPORTS & RECREATION

• Bob Adamyk has volunteered since he moved to Old Ottawa South in 1980. Serving on the executive of the Ottawa Centre Minor Hockey Association Bob received the Rod Bryden Trophy earlier this year.
• Jeff Hume of Old Ottawa South has instilled lasting values of good sportsmanship in the young players he has come in contact with since 1997.
• Paul Jenkins, Ed Laushway and Peter Mossop have been outstanding volunteers in Ottawa Little League Baseball and Minor Hockey.
• John Loop has helped develop positive self images for many young softball and hockey players.
• Long-time Glebe resident Murray Wilson received the Whitton Award for his many years as a contributor to youth sports in Capital Ward.
• Mary Jane Starr, the only local female coach in baseball, is a role model for both the girls and boys she coaches.
• Scott Valentine creates a positive environment where young people feel comfortable socializing with new peers, building self-confidence and developing physical skills and sound fitness habits.

ARTS & CULTURE

• A leading light in the Ottawa cultural community for more than 20 years, Susan Annis has given excellent stewardship, good judgement, and breadth of knowledge and foresight.
• Lisgar Collegiate music teacher Trudy Bradley received a Whitton Award for her contribution topublic education system and community.
• Abby Pollonetsky, board member of the Ottawa South Community Association and the leader in bringing the Annual Media Extravaganza with local media personalities and journalists to the community.

BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL

• Old Ottawa South's Arthur McGregor and Terry Penner, owners of the Folklore Centre were recognized for their valuable contribution to business and culture. They have employed many musicians, songwriters and skilled craftspeople and given countless hours of pleasure to thousands of music lovers.
• Music lovers Ian and James Boyd operate Compact Music in the Glebe, working long hours to bring personalized service to their customers. They market the work of local performers and support many music festivals and fundraising initiatives.

ENVIRONMENT

• Ilse Kyssa received an award for being an environmental conscience and light bearer while educating several generations on composting and recycling.
• Chris Bradshaw has promoted environmental causes for 20 years: walking and car-sharing. He wasone of the co-founders of Ottawalk, organized pedestrian awareness projects and wrote numerous briefs to all levels of government about walking priorities.

HONORARY

• Ted Britton, former Glebe resident and owner of Britton's Smoke Shop, spent 3 decades coaching and fostering baseball and hockey in the Glebe.
• For many years, Olive Simpson has contributed as an active volunteer to both McLeod-Stewarton United Church and the Glebe Centre.
• Frances Macphail has been choir leader for many generations of children, composer and arranger of choral works and a tireless volunteer for Glebe St. James United Church.
• Councillor Berg also presented a surprise special Whitton Award to Mayor Jim Watson for initiating the Whitton Awards and for continuing to promote and support volunteers.

SPECIAL THANKS

Councillor Berg offered special thanks to the 52nd Ottawa Girl Guides, 31st Ottawa Pathfinders, Hopewell Avenue School Band conducted by Allison Woyiwada and corporate sponsors Framed! Select Roses, Loeb in the Glebe, Molson Breweries, Labrador Spring Water, Odgen Entertainment, and Kittling Ridge Estate Wines.