It’s that time of year again, when we pack away our Christmas trees and stockings, dust of our New Year’s party hats, and hand out the real awards that matter. That’s right, it’s time for the second annual Citizen awards.
Citizen of the Year: Pugwash bus driver Colin Brownell, who received a Medal of Bravery from Premier Darrell Dexter on Nov. 17. Although it was actually in 2009 when Brownell rescued Calvin Latta of Malagash from a burning vehicle, it was this year that he was given proper honours for it, and we would like to join in that salute. Brownell is a soft-spoken, humble man, an ordinary guy who did an extraordinary thing, and that’s why we like him.
Quote of the Year: “The war was going on, so she was quite desperate. Men were getting scarce, so she muckled on to the first one that came long.” - Clarence Reid of Truemanville, recalling the wedding of he and wife Eva, on the occasion of their 70th anniversary on March 21.
Most Familiar Lifeguard: Zach Deutsch of Halifax, who returned for his fifth straight year of lifeguarding at Heather Beach this summer. Despite his comfort in the role, he still doesn’t take his eyes off the beach, even when posing for photographs. One could say he’s as familiar to the landscape as the lifeguard chair, but partiers burned the chair in a fire.
Scariest Gun-Toting Boaters: The men who scared the heck out of some hikers on Isle Haute on Aug. 14, when they decided to stop and shoot seals along the shoreline. The shooters moved on after scientist Greg Breed yelled at them from behind some trees, but only after deliberating for several minutes on his whereabouts.
Most Prolific Substitute Teacher: Jamie Heap of River Hebert, who not only rang off two books this year - History in Miniature about Bud Johnston’s Heritage Models collection, and Beyond the Cenotaph, a look at South Cumberland’s war dead - but he also came on board as the Citizen’s River Hebert correspondent and freelance reporter. Oh, and he also knocked in a hole-in-one!
Happy New Year to all our readers, and all the best in 2011!
