Ramara Celebrates Community Spirit at Annual Awards Ceremony

Joyful chatter and laughter resonated through the Ramara Centre on the evening of October 20, 2023, as nearly 80 attendees gathered to celebrate the annual Ramara Awards. This year’s event, described by Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke as possibly the largest turnout to date, recognized the contributions of local volunteers who have made Ramara an enriching community.

Mayor Clarke expressed gratitude, stating that the turnout reflects the “quality of the people receiving these awards.” Among the honorees were Annalynn Faulkner and Paul Grunsten, who received the prestigious Spirit of Ramara award for their dedication to the local trails committee. Nominations for these awards came from their peers, highlighting the impact of their work on the community.

One of the poignant moments of the evening was the posthumous recognition of Jane Lee, who passed away on August 8, 2023. Her husband, Barry Lee, accepted the award on her behalf, visibly moved yet proud. “She did a lot for the community and everybody around her,” he reflected, recalling her tireless efforts to help others, even while balancing family commitments.

Barry shared a touching anecdote about Jane’s generosity, illustrating her character. He recounted a Christmas where, after receiving $700 in gift cards from colleagues, Jane insisted on distributing them throughout the community. “When the dust settled, I had one $10 Tim Hortons gift card left,” he said, generating laughter in the room.

The evening also highlighted the contributions of Faulkner and Grunsten, who have been instrumental in developing community trails since 2003. Faulkner, a founding member of the Ramara trails committee, described her early efforts to secure funding through grant applications and local outreach. She recalled, “I was doing the thank-you notes and cookies,” while Grunsten focused on the logistics of trail construction.

Larry Barton, chair of the trails committee, praised both Faulkner and Grunsten for their unwavering commitment. He noted that Annalynn’s determination and Paul’s engineering skills have been invaluable. “This is one of the hardest-working committees in the township,” said Councillor Dana Tuju, who reminisced with Faulkner over old photographs from their trail work.

The awards aim to recognize individuals who have positively influenced Ramara through leadership and volunteerism. As outlined in a township news release, the Ramara Wall of Fame and Spirit of Ramara awards celebrate achievements that embody the community’s values. The recognition event serves not only to honor these individuals but also to inspire others to contribute to the community.

For more information about the Ramara Awards and this year’s recipients, visit ramara.ca/awards.