Duane Hicks
In front of applauding family members, friends, and colleagues, die-hard hockey volunteer Larry Patrick was honoured as the 2015 “Citizen of the Year” for Fort Frances at last night’s council meeting.
This past year was a banner one for the long-time Fort Frances Lakers’ supporter.
Patrick took the lead in Fort Frances hosting the Dudley Hewitt Cup this past spring and then organizing “Duncan Keith Day” on Aug. 1.
The retired school teacher also was involved with the newly-created Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame, which hosted its first awards banquet later in August.
“It’s hard to imagine I’m standing here as ‘Citizen of the Year’ because when I embarked on the journey of volunteering, this was not my plan,” Patrick said after receiving a plaque from Mayor Roy Avis.
“But I accept it very humbly.”
“‘The Citizen of the Year’ award is a very special honour, not just for the recipient but also for the community at large because it reflects the values of everyone who lives and works here,” added Patrick.
He noted that when Mayor Avis and CAO Mark McCaig called to inform him that he was being recognized as “Citizen of the Year,” he was “surprised and dumbfounded.”
“It wasn’t in my plan,” he reiterated.
Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame co-organizer Terry Ogden shared a few words about Patrick, as did Mayor Avis, who also read out a letter of thanks from Dave Keith (Duncan Keith’s dad).
In other news from last night’s council meeting, Mayor Avis is pleased an individual stepped forward to take the reins of the community Christmas parade, which is slated for this Saturday.
The mayor thanked Scott Krienke-Turvey of Ink Spotz Apparel+ for his leadership.
“I understand they’ve had a very, very good response from the community regarding donations toward the condition of the Santa Claus float,” Mayor Avis remarked.
“I’d like to thank him because volunteerism is . . . one of the reasons this community is as good as it is,” he added.
“So thanks very much, Scott.”
“Yes, it’s great to have somebody step forward,” echoed Coun. June Caul. “The community seems to step forward and help, as well.
“Kudos to the whole community for helping Scott out.”
The parade lineup will be staged at the Fort Frances Public Library and MNR parking lots.
Then starting at 5:30 p.m., the parade will go up Reid Avenue and then proceed west along Scott Street, ending at From the Grind Up.
