Region acknowledges exemplary citizens in Waterloo Region (2)
Waterloo Region – At Regional Council, several individuals were recognized for their dedicated and tireless contributions that make a real difference in Waterloo Region.
“We are very fortunate to have so many citizens in our community who give so much of their time to the community in which we live,” said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. “It is with great pride that we acknowledge the following citizens and their contributions at Regional Council tonight.”
Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award Life Time Achievement Award - Ken McLaughlin, a retired professor of history at St. Jerome’s College at the University of Waterloo, has been a pillar within the local heritage community throughout his lifetime. Ken was the founding member of the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization funded through the Region of Waterloo. He served on the Foundation from 1974 to 1982. Ken was also instrumental in obtaining National Heritage Site status for Joseph Schneider Haus. He helped to establish and was a founding member of the Joseph Schneider Haus Board between 1979 and 1984 and helped to manage the site prior to the Region’s ownership. Ken was employed as the project historian for the Region of Waterloo History Museum, a role which he went above and beyond to ensure that the new Museum was able to effectively and appropriately reflect our local historical development. Dr. Ken McLaughlin’s expertise and knowledge are highly valued in our region; as is his generosity as a tireless and dedicated friend of heritage for over 40 years. It is with great gratitude for a lifetime of contributions that the Region of Waterloo congratulates Dr. Kenneth McLaughlin on his receipt of the Lieutenant Governor’s Life Time Achievement Award.
Ontario Heritage Trust Certificate of Lifetime Achievement Award - Marion Roes, is a leading figure in the preservation of the history of Waterloo Region. As a skillful researcher, communicator and networker, Marion has contributed to the vibrancy and cohesion of the local heritage community. She is a longstanding and active member of the Waterloo Historical Society (WHS) and has for many years been the editor of the Society’s newsletter. Marion served as president of the WHS from 2008 to 2012 and was instrumental in its 100th Anniversary celebrations held in 2012. An active volunteer at the Region of Waterloo Museum, Marion helped to organize the annual History under the Trees event, and contributed her time to the communal task of stitching a replica Conestoga wagon cover for display in the recently opened permanent gallery space. In 2001 Marion wrote and edited a DVD publication to mark the 50th anniversary of the Waterloo Chapter of the Pennsylvania German Folklore Society. Marion Roes’ ability to share information and connect people and their stories, has contributed greatly to the local historical community within Waterloo Region. The Region of Waterloo is grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the lifetime achievements of Ms. Marion Roes, and hopes that her involvement in the community will continue for many years to come.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Built Heritage - Donna Kuehl, enthusiastically reaches out for volunteer opportunities bringing energy and innovation to the undertakings of heritage related groups throughout the region. She is very knowledgeable about fundraising, promotional events, building team spirit and discovers the most unique ways of engaging the public’s support. Donna has been actively involved in the preservation and maintenance of the Waterloo County Governor’s House and Gaol, one of the region’s oldest buildings. She was instrumental in the establishment of a heritage garden within the old Gaol walls. She has participated on the Heritage Kitchener Advisory Committee where she coordinated the annual Heritage Day displays for the City of Kitchener. In addition to being involved in the Waterloo Regional Arts Council, Donna keeps history alive through her singing and acting roles in Gilbert and Sullivan reproductions. Donna has been recognized numerous times for her ongoing volunteer community service by the City of Kitchener and the Air Force Association. Ms. Donna Kuehl takes a creative and personal approach to conserving both built and cultural heritage for the broader community. The Region of Waterloo appreciates the opportunity to acknowledge and honour Ms. Kuehl’s contributions.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Cultural Heritage – Pauline Todkill is well known in the City of Cambridge for her enthusiasm for of the promotion of its cultural heritage. She is a long standing and active volunteer with Heritage Cambridge. Utilizing her expertise and skills in communications and marketing, Pauline raises awareness about important heritage matters in the community such as the Preston School seniors’ apartments; achieving a Heritage District designation for a portion of Main Street in Galt; the restoration of the Sheave Tower in Blair; the preservation of McDougall Cottage in Galt; and restoration work on the Gore Cupola in Centennial Park. Pauline was instrumental in the development of the walking tour booklets featuring historic houses and areas throughout Cambridge. She is a long standing member of the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation. Pauline has a passion for promoting and organizing heritage related events. She enthusiastically recruits and coordinates the many volunteers needed to assist with the Heritage Showcase, Grand River Conservation Authority Day Workshops, Doors Open Waterloo Region and the Cider and Spirit Walking Tours. The Region of Waterloo is pleased to recognize Pauline Todkill’s substantial contributions of local heritage matters in Cambridge and Waterloo Region.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Natural Heritage and 2013 Ontario Senior of the Year Award – Ed Dennis is a valued team member of the Heritage Garden Program at he Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village. For the past six years, Ed has been a member of the team that tends to the many heritage vegetable and flower gardens at the living history site. Since his retirement from an accomplished career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2007, Ed has enjoyed working at Doon Heritage Village twice a week each season, volunteering close to 600 hours. During this time, Ed has tended to the gardens without modern labour saving devices. He applies his knowledge, his love of the outdoors and well developed people skills to interpreting and tending to the gardens for more than 68,000 visitors annually. Ed’s wonderful sense of humour and easy going manner bring a smile to the face of every visitor and museum staff person he meets. He spends the rest of his spare time helping the Grand Valley Trail Associating to maintain and develop new trails and volunteers at the Brantford General Hospital. Ed Dennis truly demonstrates a senior who is making a difference in his community.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Natural Heritage – John Tennent & Irene Thurston are solely responsible for the stunning gardens that surround McDougall Cottage in Cambridge. They are wonderful ambassadors for the site and always happy to share their knowledge about gardening. Since becoming the Cottage’s volunteer gardeners in 2008 and 2009 respectively, John, and Master Gardener, Irene have together spent over 1500 hours transforming and maintaining the gardens. The gardens are historically accurate and their hard work of weekly weeding, watering pruning and fertilizing has coaxed the plants to their full potential. Both strong supporters of their community and of McDougall Cottage, John and Irene have not only worked tirelessly to make the garden the showpiece it is today, they regularly participate in, and volunteer to help out at many of the Cottage’s events.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Young Heritage leaders – Krista Stemmler is part of the Junior Interpreter Program at the Waterloo Region Museum. Dressing in historic costume, Krista is responsible for assisting staff with the interpretation of rural activities in 1914 to more than 68,000 visitors annually. Krista is confident and well-spoken and has been actively involved in the Waterloo Region Museum’s “Day in the Life” and Christmas programs. She has contributed an amazing 180 hours of volunteer time in just 13 months. Krista is an intelligent, dedicated youth volunteer who is always inviting and offers a warm welcome to all visitors. In her spare time she is a youth leader at her church, plays the violin and has been involved with Girl Guides for the past 14 years and is a former volunteer at Joseph Schneider Haus. Krista is an inspiration to other youth volunteers and it is a privilege to acknowledge her efforts with this award.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Small Group Project, Built Heritage – Friends of Waterloo Region Museum. The Friends of Waterloo Region is a voluntary public foundation dedicated to the preservation of Waterloo Region’s history and culture. Since 1983 the Friends have donated more than $200,000 to support built heritage projects. For more than 50 years, the Friends have financially supported the development of the village, most notably with donations to support the purchase and conservation of furnishings in buildings in the living history village. Some recent efforts have supported restoration of the Dry Goods Store, the Martin Farm House, The Petersburg Train Station sign and the Blacksmith Shop. Each year the Friends partner with the Waterloo Region Museum to host numerous public events and workshops. Their signature fundraising event, Starry Night, is held annually in December. Attendance at this event is always sold-out and has become a tradition for many in the Community.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Small Group Project, Cultural Heritage - Waterloo Region Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is overseen by a Board of Governors with volunteer representation from across Waterloo Region. Currently more than 400 individuals and groups are recognized in the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to Waterloo Region. They are well known for their ongoing community involvement and support of cultural heritage. Many in the group have been involved with the Hall of Fame for over 30 years. The vision of the Waterloo County Hall of Fame Board of Governors has made a significant impact in the preservation, promotion and celebration of the Region’s history.
Ontario Heritage Trust Community Recognition Award, Small Group Project, Natural Heritage - Huron Heights Secondary School. Every year the Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival aims to educate more than 4,000 students in grades two to five about the importance of water in their daily lives. The week-long festival requires the help of more than 500 volunteers. Since 2007, the students at Huron Heights Secondary School have enthusiastically volunteered at the Groundwater Festival. These student volunteers are committed to educating younger students about the importance of water. They take their role very seriously and spend a great deal of time and effort preparing for the festival. The students work hard to make the activities interactive, interesting and entertaining for younger students by challenging them to consider the importance of water to themselves and to society. The activities teach respect and to conserve our valuable water recourses. These high school students are investing their time in mentoring water stewards of the future.
The Ontario Heritage Trust's Heritage Community Recognition Program celebrates volunteer achievements in preserving, protecting and promoting local heritage. Since 1996, the Trust has worked with communities across the province to recognize 3,200 volunteers for their contributions to conserving built, cultural and natural heritage.
The Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement is program that recognizes volunteers for contributions to heritage conservation over a periodof 25 years or more.
The Ontario Senior of the Year Award gives each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to honour one outstanding local Ontarian who after the age of 65 has enriched the social, cultural or civic life of his or her community.
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For more information, please contact:
Deborah Young, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, 519-575-4500 ext. 3569, DeYoung@regionofwaterloo.ca
The Region of Waterloo provides more than 60 per cent of municipal services to a growing population of 550,000 people. We are committed to creating an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community through innovative leadership and a range of services such as: public health, social services, planning, heritage, water supply, regional roads, waste management, ambulance service, rural libraries, public transit, community housing, emergency planning, Provincial Offences Courts and airport services.