When Bob Meredith was announced on Friday evening as Creston’s 2015 citizen of the year, he joined an elite list of passionate and tireless volunteers who have served this community. Meredith was an obvious choice, with a remarkable track record of giving time and effort to numerous organizations, but it was no surprise when he took to the Prince Charles Theatre stage while fighting back tears. Despite their amazing record of good citizenship, recipients almost never seem to see the award coming. Inevitably, they are quick to point out others who would be just as deserving.
Meredith is the 47th person to be honoured this way in Creston. Many of those chosen for the honour can be considered local legends. Tak Toyota, Bill Herchmer, George Oliver, Ruby Roebuck, Wayne Salmond, Harry Haberstock, Vaughan Mosher, Anne Page, Lela Irvine, Alex Nilsson, William and Ruth Mitchell-Banks — the list is impressive, and one is left to wonder just what our community would have been like without anyone of them, or those whom I haven’t named.
We came to Creston after Tak Toyota had died. It was eight years after he had been named citizen of the year. I doubt that I had been on the job for a week before I first heard a reference to all the contributions Toyota made. The first winner, Fred Martello in 1969, was still active as a school board member, if memory serves. Herb Dodd, the 1976 choice, had recently retired and sold his practice to a young Dr. Gene Zackowski. In that year we arrived, the recipient was Bill Herchmer, one of Creston’s most recognized businessmen and volunteers.
Ruby Roebuck was the first woman on the list that I knew. She was completely dedicated to her causes and she led by example, inspiring others around her. I knew George Oliver early on and a kinder, more decent man would have been hard to find. In the ensuing years, I always got a kick out of seeing him play in the Shriners band in Blossom Festival parades. I don’t think he ever stopped grinning when he was on that float.
The 1987 honouree was Wayne Salmond, who was as passionate about the value of team sports for kids as anyone I ever knew. He held court at the rear of Home Hardware on Canyon, cajoling, organizing, promoting and just getting things done. If Wayne got an idea you could be pretty much assured he would make it happen. It makes me happy to think that his legacy lives on his children, one of whom (Scott) is a senior official with Hockey Canada.
Three years later, Pastor Harry Haberstock rode in the Blossom Festival parade as the 1990 citizen of the year. He shared Salmond’s enthusiasm for kids’ sports, and made contributions that are still affecting the positive place that is the Creston Valley. Likewise, Margaret Lavender, who built on her passion for music and the arts to enrich the lives of countless others. Her vision in helping create Focus on Youth was clear and true, with the proof still carrying on all these many years later.
Ed and Joan Gatzke were the first couple to be named as citizens of the year and I have always maintained that it would be more appropriate, in almost every case, to include spouses in each of the awards. Without family support it is unlikely that many of these recipients could have made the same contributions. The Gatzkes were followed in 2002 by Lela Irvine, who as mayor set an example for every other small-town mayor the province. She was respected by everyone, regardless of their political leaning. No one did municipal politics as well as Lela Irvine and I am proud that I was able to call her a friend, even after many a heated argument.
One of my favourite citizen of the year presentations was in 2007, when Betty Martin was honoured. Few have been better at fundraising, which is no one’s favourite activity. She may have been the youngest winner, but she was certainly as deserving as anyone on the list.
Bob Meredith was, to my recollection, a guy who always seemed to be everywhere. Thirty-odd years ago bingo was a big fundraising favourite and he was in great demand as a caller. He was a familiar figure behind home plate at baseball games, as he donned mask and chest protector to umpire countless games. His lengthy list of contributions can be found elsewhere in this issue. Bob Meredith can now be counted as one of those elite citizens who have been so honoured. He and the others on the list can count themselves as being in very good company.
Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of the Creston Valley Advance.