DEER LAKE, N.L. — From two parents who have turned their grief into something to honour their child and help others, to lifelong volunteers in the community, Deer Lake has shown how proud it is of some of its residents.
Last week, the town presented Pride of the Town Awards to nine people — Sarah and Michael Short, James Feltham, Ivy Cassell, Dana Burridge, Sheila Mercer, Brenda Bingle, Daisy Lush and Karen Mangrove.
The purpose of the award program is to acknowledge outstanding citizens who have made a significant contribution to or positive impact on their fellow citizens in town.
The recipients are people who have shown a strong sense of volunteerism, civic pride and commitment to the betterment of the community.
The recipients and their stories
Sarah and Michael Short
The Shorts' daughter Isla died of cancer at the age of three and half in November 2017.
Following her death, they decided to honour her by setting up the Islaview Foundation to assist other families in the province that face similar circumstances to what they did.
During Isla’s illness, Deer Lake came together in support of the family and became an example of community spirit across the province and the country for its caring, warmth and togetherness.
James Feltham
Feltham has been coaching basketball in Deer Lake for more than 50 years.
He coached the Elwood Lakers from 1972-1999 and returned to coaching the team again in the past couple of years.
Feltham is described as a pillar of basketball in the province and, under his leadership, the Lakers have reached provincial championship tournaments more than 22 times.
He has been honoured with many coaching awards and was inducted in the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association's Hall of Fame in 2003.
Ivy Cassell
Cassell is a resident of the town who doesn’t miss an event and volunteers whenever she’s asked.
She is the president of the Deer Lake Lions Club, an organization she has been involved with for 42 years.
Cassell has also been a member of the Anglican Church for 40 years and is a longtime member of the Anglican Church Woman.
She has helped with volunteer breakfasts, the annual strawberry festival and the provincial Winter Games. She is also a member of the Grand Lake Centre, the 50+ Club and volunteers with the Masonic Lodge.
Dana Burridge
Burridge is described as an enthusiastic example of a “home grown by” who voluntarily engaged in a variety of youth, historical and town development committees to advance the Deer Lake community.
She has hosted exchange students, volunteered with the Deer Lake Library Board, Humber Valley Development Association and the Roy Whalen Museum and Archives Board.
She has also created opportunities to take students out of their community, region, province and country and to take on projects and learning out in the field through things like the Red Cross Club, babysitters course, French trips and heritage fairs.
Sheila Mercer
Mercer was a member of the Deer Lake council from 2009-2017.
She continues to serve on the town’s economic development committee and has been a member of the SEDLER Board for more than 20 years.
Mercer volunteered when the town hosted the 2006 and 2018 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games.
She’s also volunteered with the Deer Lake Public Library Board and with the Deer Lake Strawberry Festival.
Her involvement with numerous organizations in the town was described as admirable.
Karen Mangrove
Mangrove has been the dedicated lead for the Deer Lake Strawberry Festival for a number of years.
She dedicates hours to seeing the festival, one of the town’s main events, succeed.
She is also known as the go-to person for finding Deer Lake entertainers.
Mangrove is described as an advocate for everything local and for keeping tourists in the town.
Daisy Lush
Lush has been a lifelong volunteer.
She has been spotted picking up trash around the community while walking. It is something she does just to be a contributing citizen.
Her effort to keep the community clean has been considered commendable by the town.
Brenda Bingle
Bingle has volunteered with many youth organizations in the town, including figure skating, minor hockey and the Duke of Edinburgh program.
While teaching, she was involved with graduation and yearbook committees, the high school scholarship committee and the 24-Hour Famine.
One of her greatest accomplishments is helping to develop the Deer Lake Travel Group. Through this group, she has helped more than 400 students travel all over the world, experiencing new cultures and developing their desire for travel.
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Twitter: WS_DianeCrocker
