Ray Bryant ( L ) and Terry Michaelis ( R )

BY DOREEN PAWLOWSKI

A great number of retired teachers provide invaluable volunteer service to their communities and beyond and deserve special recognition . At the SWARTA Christmas Banquet , December 4,2014 , two very deserving gentlemen were presented the ARTA Certificate and Inukshuk plaque .

Ray Bryant is always attentive to peoples ’ concerns and tries to solve their problems . He is extremely good with seniors . Here are just a few of his volunteering experiences :

• Member of Taber Kinsmen ;

• Founding member of Taber and District Health Foundation Board ;

• Grade 2 Reading program at L . T . Westlake School ;

• Young Life Canada Highway Clean-up and Taber Community Clean-up ;

• Served on Taber Council for twenty-three years and as mayor for nine years ;

• Served on Taber Aquafun Centre Building Committee , Clearview Lodge expansion ;

• Promoted twinning of Taber with Hidashioni City , Japan ;

• Volunteers at Cornfest , Community Halloween Party , Taber Parade Committee , MADD Checkstops ;

• Inducted into Vauxhall High School Hall of Fame ;

• 2013 , awarded Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal ;

• 2013 Urban Municipalities Association Service Award for over twenty-one years of service .

Terry Michaelis is very active in his community of Milk River in trying to improve living conditions and access to services in this small town . He is willing to help any organization that needs assistance . Here are some of his involvements :

• Town of Milk River councillor for over thirty years , mayor for 25 years ;

• Doctor Recruitment and Retention Committee ;

• Cemetery Board ;

• Seniors Organization , St . Matthew Lutheran Church ( elder );

• Kinsmen ;

• Milk River Historical Society ;

• Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community Support Services ;

• Oldman River Regional Services ;

• Horizon School Division trustee for ten years ;

• Founding member of Canadian Badlands Industry .

These deserving men are outstanding exemplars of volunteerism in their communities .

Each plaque has a carved Inukshuk . Below the name of the volunteer is inscribed , “ The Inukshuk serves as a reminder of our dependence on each other and the value of strong relationships .”

news & views SPRING 2015 | 15