Star #18

Star #18 is someone who has made an impact on me.  He has inspired me with his attitude about life.  For as long as I have known him he was always happy to help people out.  If someone needed advice on a construction project or home reno, he was happy to do what he could to make sure they did not head in the wrong direction. He has been known as a great example of a consistent work ethic, friendly smile and enjoying a coffee at Tims with people.  He is also known as a fighter, yep a fighter.  Dave Black has been fighting cancer for a couple of years.  Over the time of his fight, he has lived out a deep faith and commitment to life, such a great example for us all.

At times Dave has had victories over cancer, but even in the hard and dark times of his battle, he loves to smile and laugh with his family and friends.  Lately I don't get much chance to visit with Dave because of the strong medications he is on.  Often if I stop by he is sleeping soundly in the hospital.  The times when I get a few moments with him are always special.

Dave is Star #18 and has been someone who I believe has made a difference here.  His example and attitude I believe will continue to have an impact even after his battle with cancer is over.  Dave is a reminder to me of the regular people who live in our community and even in the midst of great struggle and hardship they teach us to smile and to cherish the moments of life we have been given.

Dave, thanks for being you, thanks for being my friend, I will always appreciate you!

Preacherman

Star #17

Star #17 - I know that I am committed to showing the regular people here who make a difference.  But today's star is also an elected official.  But it is not the long term of service on council that has made him a star in our community.  Rather it is his huge heart and commitment to so many areas of our community.  Whether he is referee for a minor hockey game, teaching grade 2 Sunday School, helping with fundraising auctions like the Soup Kitchen or leading fitness and fellowship groups like his FIT trekkers that do hikes, canoeing, and curling just to name a few things.  Phil Meagher is someone who inspires a lot of people about giving back and making a difference.

Phil, you are appreciated for all that you do here to make our community a better place.  Thank you for being one of our stars.

Preacherman

Star #16

Star #16 is someone who is quite quiet and behind the scenes, maybe that is like a lot of the stars in our community.  They are seeking to do their part and help make a difference and most people have no idea just how much of a difference maker they are.  Star #16 is my friend Wayne McDonald.  Some people will know Wayne from the work he does at Suncor, but this engineer does a lot more than just work.  Wayne has spent a lot of time giving back to our community.  Whether it is the time he has spent helping with the youth of our community through Church youth groups and Young Life, or his strong support for the Centre of Hope.  Wayne has no fear of getting behind something he believes in.

Yet even further off the grid, it is common for me to hear little bits about how Wayne has gone out of his way to help people out.  Just on a personal level, not as some program or with an organization.  Wayne has a BIG HEART and I see him as a real star here in our community.

Thanks Wayne for all you do and who you are for our community!

Preacherman

Star #15

Star #15 is really special, so very special that we give them a day on the calendar each year .... yep it is Dads!  Make sure you appreciate your dad on fathers day.  I know that even though he no longer lives here I consider my dad, Wayne Taylor, a Star of our community.  I still see the results of his influence as I spend time in our community.  Dad was always looking for ways to make the community better and to help others live with a smile.  Whether he was at a charity fund raiser or organizing the shootout at Keyano for the United Way, he always seemed to have fun and to encourage others to do the same.

In honor of all the dads here in our community, I am naming Wayne Taylor as star #15, because I see my dad as  such a great example of community spirit and he has left quite a legacy here.  Thanks Dad, for making a difference here!

Preacherman

Star #14

Star #14 is none other than "Roger" the new maintenance guy at the Morrison Center.  In a building that has some issues, his plate is very full.  Yet on the days when the Air Conditioning is not working he takes frozen treats to the staff in the offices.  During the rain yesterday water began to leak into the building and Roger came right away with buckets to catch the water and was up in the ceiling with caulking and other things to try and get everything fixed up fast.

We all know that things happen and need fixing, but in our community we often hear stories of how hard it is to get people to come to fix things.  Roger, thanks for your hard work and great attitude.  It is appreciated and a great example for others.  Roger you are one of our community's stars!

Preacherman

Star #13

Star #13 - Sometimes it can be frustrating around here.  We know that we have traffic problems, it is so true.  But Star #13 is that person who was so nice and polite in traffic.  They were driving according to the rules of the road and also with courtesy and respect.  Thank you for letting my wife into traffic, it was a good thing to do.  I appreciate it when such drivers are around our community.  The people who are patient and who allow people to merge properly and who properly use the merge lane.

It is easy to get negative about others.  It is easy to complain about things, but it is far more beneficial to appreciate the positives.  So a big thank you to all you polite drivers out there, it really does help to change people's attitudes on our roads.

Preacherman

Star #12

Star #12 - As I was driving through our community yesterday I took notice of a yard that was really well kept.  the lawn was green and the flower beds planted.  The trees were well pruned and kept.  It was really nice to see and actually motivated me about how we keep our yard.  Actually there are many yards around our community like that.  Maybe that yard is yours?  I do not know the name of the person but really appreciate that way that some members of our community go the extra mile to keep their yards up.

We all live here together, it is nice to see people make an effort to beautify our community.  I know that it is not an easy thing to make your yard look nice, ours is not an outstanding yard but we are working on it and try our best.  To those of you who are so gifted in this way, thank you for your example and the beauty you add to our community.  Keep up the good work!

Preacherman