Strathcona County presented the 2014 Pride of Strathcona Awards to these recipients, with biographies and photos below. Congratulations!
- Elizabeth Cherniak - Mayor's Award
- Brandon Bosma - Youth
- David Elliott - Sports and Recreation - Athletic Achievement
- Elizabeth Cherniak - Seniors
- Tammy Greidanus - Community Service
- Brent Jewell - Community Service
- Lynne Kaiser - Community Service
- Tateum McPherson - Youth
- Michael Nicholson - Community Service
- Kieran Purich - Youth
- Danine Regenwetter - Arts, Culture and Heritage
- Sherwood Park 55 Plus Club - Community Service
- Shin Ji Taekwondo Instructional Team - Sports and Recreation - Development
- TAB (Take A Break) Group - Community Service
- Howard MacPherson (Whitecroft Community) - Community Service
- Mary Jane MacPherson (Whitecroft Community) - Community Service
- Benny Stein (Whitecroft Community) - Community Service
View recipients from past years
Mayor's Award
Mayor Roxanne Carr presents the Mayor's Award to Elizabeth Cherniak.
Patti Heck accepted the Mayor's Award on behalf of Elizabeth Cherniak, who was not in attendance on June 23.
Brandon Bosma
Youth
Brandon Bosma suffers from Mosaic Trisomy 18, an affliction that has been described as “incompatible with life.” Brandon has chosen to ignore that dire prediction and has packed a lot of living and community service into his 16 years. Learning has been a challenge, yet Brandon's list of accomplishments is impressive indeed. He is a speaker and advocate for other Trisomy children. He talks about bullying at conferences and in classrooms. He writes plays and presents them — to acclaim. He raises money for many organizations. Brandon's message of hope, respect and understanding has been received by grateful parents all over the world.
David Elliott
Sports and Recreation - Athletic Achievement
When David Elliott was 11 years old he was struggling in school. Then he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The change was immediate and profound. The demands of the program helped to tap into the hard work, persistence and determination within him. Since then he has gone on to win Gold at the Kids World Championships, Gold at the Abu Dhabi World Pro Trials, Gold at the Pan American Championships, and most recently Gold at the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship in April. Hard working and compassionate, David’s conduct has helped push him to become a role model for his classmates. He is now an “A” student; his future is bright as are his many medals.
Elizabeth Cherniak
Seniors
Patti Heck accepted the Pride of Strathcona Award on behalf of Elizabeth Cherniak, who was not in attendance on June 23.
Twenty-five years ago, Elizabeth Cherniak accepted a position to be coordinator of volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels. Over the years she has logged many miles, and many smiles, while delivering hot meals to seniors in Strathcona County. Her warmth and enthusiasm have attracted many others to join the ranks of drivers. She has been an active member of the Catholic Women’s League of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish for many years. She also has been involved with the Encore Seniors Group and volunteers at the seniors' drop-in centre. Liz Cherniak has made many contributions for bettering the lives of all in Strathcona County.
Tammy Greidanus
Community Service
Tammy Greidanus has been described as tenacious, persevering and committed — a driving force in the Gilmore Park Community League. She has spent countless hours canvassing the neighbourhood, coordinating fundraising events and writing grant proposals. She rallied elected officials and took the lead in a number of successful initiatives. She also solicited the assistance of residents to help build the park — including landscaping and installing new playground equipment. In doing so, she has created a whole new sense of community in the area. In Tammy’s world, everyone is included and everyone is a neighbour.
Brent Jewell
Community Service
Brent Jewell has lived in Strathcona County for 40 years. He is larger than life and his volunteer accomplishments are many and varied. The list of organizations for which he has donated his zeal and time would fill many columns this size. He has been a sports coach and served as a member of the Kinsmen and Rotary clubs of Sherwood Park. He sat on the Festival Place Board and also presided over the community-based activities of the Chamber of Commerce. He even travelled to El Salvador to build playgrounds for kids. He has owned and operated his own business for over 20 years. He also served this municipality as a Councillor. Active, positive and dedicated, he continues to instill his passion for his community to all around him.
Lynne Kaiser
Community Service
Lynne Kaiser has spent many years in volunteer work with organizations ranging from the Brownies to the Pride Festival. She offered to volunteer as the Executive Director of altView, an organization dedicated to making a safer and more welcoming community for gender variant and sexual minority youth and adults. Lynne worked untold hours helping the organization to establish itself as a not-for-profit society. Lynne is driven by a desire to help in the understanding of the issues individuals and families in the LGBT community face on a daily basis. She embodies the selflessness of those totally committed to service.
Tateum McPherson
Youth
Tateum McPherson began training as a gymnast when she was four years old. Even as a very young child she stood out — demonstrating a determination not often seen in one so young. She has progressed through provincial competitions and earned national recognition. Her hard work and dedication led to a first place in the National Stream Cup Trials as well as earning medals in several other events. She’s a young lady with energy to burn. Tateum is a terrific student, a member of 4-H and a regular volunteer for the Josephburg Agricultural Society.
Michael Nicholson
Community Service
Mayor Roxanne Carr presents the Pride of Strathcona award for Community Service to Michael Nicholson.
Glen and Joshua Buckmaster accepted the Pride of Strathcona Award on behalf of Michael Nicholson, who was not in attendance on June 23.
Michael Nicholson has given 25 years of service as a fire fighter. He has also been in the front lines of battling Muscular Dystrophy. He is the voice of Muscular Dystrophy to fellow fire fighters, the media, business and the general public. Mike’s a natural leader and inspires others to join in the crusade. You’ll find him fundraising, bagging groceries, galvanizing the annual car wash or taking families on tours of the fire hall. Through his efforts, the network of citizens who support the campaign has grown significantly, helping to increase both investment in research and support for individuals with neuromuscular disorders.
Kieran Purich
Youth
During Kieran Purich's high school years, he played for the Midget AAA Kings where he rose to the position of Captain. During that time he was a busy volunteer in many community endeavours ranging from seniors care to the Food Bank. He led and inspired the Sherwood Park Kings Athletic Club to clear snow for seniors. Working with the Primary Care Network, Kieran was a key contributor to the development of the My Home Health Program, designed to help manage and improve care for seniors with chronic heart conditions. Only in his early 20s, Kieran’s many volunteer hours have earned him the respect and gratitude of those for whom, and with whom, he has served.
Danine Regenwetter
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Since coming to Strathcona County, Danine Regenwetter has pursued a vision of helping her community discover new value in heritage and culture through art. She took a lifetime interest in sewing and blended it with her passion for collecting vintage linens from antique markets, friends, family and garage sales. She repurposes such treasured materials into works of art — particularly aprons. Each apron is a one-of-a kind example of wearable art. The idea has spread all over the country. Her company, Avonlea’s Heritage Aprons, has been featured in national magazines and her works have been showcased locally. The Citadel Theatre, Edmonton Opera and Jubilee Auditorium have also enjoyed her creative talents.
Sherwood Park 55 Plus Club
Community Service
The Sherwood Park 55 Plus Club began 40 years ago in the basement of the Log Cabin. Over the years, it has grown to offer many activities for Sherwood Park and surrounding area residents. If you are musically inclined, you can join in the Sunday Jamboree and jam with other musicians. There’s the Craft Sale, the Christmas Tree Sale, the Strawberry Tea, and outings such as Saturday supper at a local restaurant. There’s always someone to lend a listening ear and support. This welcoming club has made a positive difference for many over its long and active history.
Shin Ji Taekwondo Instructional Team
Sports and Recreation - Development
Sherwood Park-based, Shin Ji Taekwondo is a non-profit martial arts club. The group is very active in the community participating in parades, fundraisers and public events. They have also represented the community in local, provincial, national and international tournaments. With their passion for martial arts, long hours of volunteering and donation of personal time, the core instructors have created a rich environment to develop better athletes and outstanding citizens. It is as much a family as a club.
TAB (Take a Break) Group
Community Service
The TAB (Take a Break) Group is a gathering of like-minded ladies who meet once a week, in the Josephburg Community Church, to actively pursue their goals of assistance for human and animal distress. Often repurposing materials to ease the load on the landfill, they work with donations of wools, fabric, gently used clothing, towels, linens and blankets to make afghans, toques, dignity bibs, blankets and puppy pillows. Finished items have been given to Hats Off For Kids With Cancer, the homeless, the Food Bank, the Bissell Centre, rescue dogs, and others. The mission of TAB is to help others by donating their finished items to those in need. Their greatest gratification is knowing how happy they make those who are the recipients of their loving work.
Howard MacPherson, Jane MacPherson, Benny Stein (Whitecroft Community)
Community Service
Since he moved his family to Whitecroft in 1990, Howard MacPherson has been a vital force in the community. It has been said, in the various positions he has held, he had a hand in every decision made in the community league since then. He looks after newsletters, event announcements, painting, brush cutting, snow clearing and whatever else needs to be done. Howard is a steward for the Sherwood Park Natural Area and diligently makes sure it is well maintained. He does all this with a trademark smile and an unfailing upbeat attitude.
Mary Jane MacPherson has been described as a valued ambassador of her community. She has been head of the social committee for the Whitecroft Community League for over a decade. She and her husband, Howard, are stewards in the Sherwood Park Natural Area. She also volunteers with the Catholic Women’s League of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, and she was a Big Sister over several years. The Northern Alberta Society for Animal Protection and our four-legged friends also benefit from Mary Jane’s hard work and kindness. Her many contributions to community continue to make a difference.
Benny Stein has lived in Strathcona County for almost 50 years and has put together an enviable record of public service. You want something done at the Whitecroft Community Hall? Benny is just a phone call away. He donates his time, his tools, his enthusiasm and his big smile. Benny will prepare the hall, help decorate it and plan your parade. There isn’t much he hasn’t built, fixed or organized around the hall. In 2013, Benny was given the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for his outstanding contributions to our community.
