Gary English 2018
Gary English
TCA Burgess Volunteerism Award
2018
The Burgess Volunteerism Award was established in 2006 when a group of community members gathered to devise a way to show appreciation to one particular volunteer and the idea became an annual award to be presented to an individual each year in recognition of their volunteerism. Our community is blessed with people who are willing to share their talents and abilities. This building and grounds and top notch ball field are real evidence of that. The TCA is an organization put in place to serve the community and is open to anyone interested in community development. We appreciate each person who contributes to our activities, events and programs in whatever way they can.
Now, let’s move on to the recognition of this year’s volunteer. It has become the tradition that the previous recipients of the award are polled each year for a recommendation of another deserving volunteer. When a decision is made those who have received the award in the past are asked to submit a few words in support of our choice. Here are a few of their comments:
From Connie Campbell:
I have known this person for many years and I can truly say that he is a real stand-up guy! He is someone who is always there for you. Just ask and he doesn’t think twice about helping you out. He has demonstrated this time and time again.
He is a great conversationalist and a real genuine person. What you see is what you get. He is always chuckling with arms folded and getting a good laugh out of life. He has a serious side as well and can lend an ear when needed and is very empathetic to your needs.
He knows a lot of stuff! With years of experience behind him he can advise you on just about everything. For many years at the TCA he was always the “Go to Guy”! I’m pretty sure he has painted walls in almost every room in the building. Trying to list everything he’s done or helped with at the TCC and market is nearly impossible but is all very much appreciated.
It is clear that he is a loving husband, father and grandfather and dearly thinks the world of his children, grand and great grandkids. He loves to show them off in the photos and videos he shares. You can see the joy written on his face when he talks of them. He is a true family man.
I’d like to thank him (Gary) for everything he has done for me. He is very deserving of this award and I am very happy that I can call him my friend.
From David Stewart:
Congratulations to Gary on receiving this award. He has been here helping since day one, a tireless volunteer who contributed to most projects regarding building, heat systems, painting , markets etc. He was a great help to me during my time at the center. Thanks and congrats!
From Ruth Doiron:
Gary is one of the faces of the Taymouth Community Association that brings comfort to those around them. His calm kindness welcomes volunteers and community members alike. Everyone loves Gary!! I know from all the breakfasts I have helped with that it was a relief each morning when I saw that Gary was there! If the circuit breakers kicked out, I knew we would be OK. Any problem that arose from any event or activity that I was involved in could be fixed with a phone call to Gary. He has been missed around here for sure as he has dialed back his volunteering a bit, but he has definitely earned this award! I believe he (and many others) should have received the award before me! I have been pushing for him for many years. I’m very happy he is being honored this year. There is no one like him!
From Barb Flinn:
He has been involved with the TCC since day one. He was very helpful with the construction of the addition from the outside to the inside, including the painting. He is a Jack of All Trades as he seems to know how everything from the furnace, boiler, water system and electrical works. It doesn’t matter if you ask him to change a light bulb, set up the P.A. system, change the water bottle or pick up supplies from town; he is always willing to help. This is a sign of a Good Volunteer and that is why Gary is so deserving of this award. Congratulations Gary!
From Jean Burgess:
Salt of the earth – that is Gary English. His presence is a warm and balancing one that we all gravitate to and are steadied by. Gary is the best kind of care-taker, warm and caring and at the same time very practical and skilled. Gary’s involvement with the Taymouth Community Centre began when he was appointed by the provincial government to care for the Taymouth School after it was decommissioned. His knowledge of the building has been of great use since. When any of us are faced with building maintenance and repair questions, often our first thought is to call Gary. He has always been available to look after problems that arise. Often, he just goes ahead and fixes things and we hear about it after they’re looked after. This leads to the strong suspicion that Gary has done a lot we haven’t heard about at all. Now that’s community spirit!
Gary has pinch hit for many of us in many ways over the years – from doing shifts with the market canteen, to helping with the mounting of pieces for our art and quilt shows, to helping with the set up of music equipment for concerts ad projectors for movie nights. And always Gary is ready to pause and lighten a moment with a good chat and sharing of stories, thus adding flavor to our lives as volunteers and neighbours. Thank you Gary.
From Mark Young:
I haven’t worked on any projects with Gary but I know he is very deserving of this award. He works hard but quietly in the background getting things done for the TCA.
From Craig & Amey Hickey:
When I think of somebody who has always been there for the community center, one name comes to the top of the list. Always willing to lend a hand for just about anything that needs to be done, Gary has assisted with and looked after a countless number of tasks and projects to help keep the TCC operating and looking its best. Being involved with the center since the early days, he has become a wealth of knowledge and history of just about everything with the building. From building maintenance work, to helping set up for various events to providing his professional painting skills, Gary has always been eager to volunteer to help whenever called upon. In many instances, Gary will simply go do something because he knows it needs doing without having to be asked. Congratulations on a well deserved Volunteerism Award and thanks for all you do for the TCC.
From Rhona O’Hara:
Gary is our gentle giant. He has always been there to help with any repair or new project, like new siding on our TCC building, painting walls or ripping out the old tiles etc., etc. He has stayed by barbequing hot dogs at market; however, the onions were always missing. He is always there to set up Sandra’s canopy and products on market mornings. He doesn’t like being in the limelight which probably explains why it has taken so long for him to be honoured. We honour you Gary and appreciate you.
From Ene Vahi:
When I think of Gary, at the top of my mind is the struggle I have had with the lock on the front door. Apparently others have had the same issue. One time in particular I had tried everything I could to secure the door by with no success. It was during the day and I had to leave but that evening I thought it best not to have the door remain unlocked. In a panic I called Gary and sure enough, he came down and somehow managed to get the lock to cooperate. He’s that guy you call when there’s a problem.
From Sandra English:
I find it a little difficult to focus on one aspect of the person I have shared forty years of my life with but I will try to stay on topic. This is about volunteerism. This guy seems to have it in his nature to lend a hand. He became involved with the TCA as soon as it was organized. Coming from a small community background he understood the idea of neighbor helping neighbor. Being a very social person he enjoyed working with friends and getting to know new people. There were times when the laughter on a project site drowned out the hammers and saws. Whenever he can, he finds time to help whether on special projects, general maintenance, stage sound or canteen. I have often heard “maybe Gary knows…”. I do know he will be a little uncomfortable being singled out with this recognition but I do agree it is well deserved.
With those kind words acknowledged, the Taymouth Community Association is pleased to present The Burgess Volunteerism Award for 2018 to Gary English with our sincere appreciation for your community service.
Board of Directors
Taymouth Community Association
June 9, 2018
Photo by Amanda Wildeman
TCA Burgess Volunteerism Award
2018
The Burgess Volunteerism Award was established in 2006 when a group of community members gathered to devise a way to show appreciation to one particular volunteer and the idea became an annual award to be presented to an individual each year in recognition of their volunteerism. Our community is blessed with people who are willing to share their talents and abilities. This building and grounds and top notch ball field are real evidence of that. The TCA is an organization put in place to serve the community and is open to anyone interested in community development. We appreciate each person who contributes to our activities, events and programs in whatever way they can.
Now, let’s move on to the recognition of this year’s volunteer. It has become the tradition that the previous recipients of the award are polled each year for a recommendation of another deserving volunteer. When a decision is made those who have received the award in the past are asked to submit a few words in support of our choice. Here are a few of their comments:
From Connie Campbell:
I have known this person for many years and I can truly say that he is a real stand-up guy! He is someone who is always there for you. Just ask and he doesn’t think twice about helping you out. He has demonstrated this time and time again.
He is a great conversationalist and a real genuine person. What you see is what you get. He is always chuckling with arms folded and getting a good laugh out of life. He has a serious side as well and can lend an ear when needed and is very empathetic to your needs.
He knows a lot of stuff! With years of experience behind him he can advise you on just about everything. For many years at the TCA he was always the “Go to Guy”! I’m pretty sure he has painted walls in almost every room in the building. Trying to list everything he’s done or helped with at the TCC and market is nearly impossible but is all very much appreciated.
It is clear that he is a loving husband, father and grandfather and dearly thinks the world of his children, grand and great grandkids. He loves to show them off in the photos and videos he shares. You can see the joy written on his face when he talks of them. He is a true family man.
I’d like to thank him (Gary) for everything he has done for me. He is very deserving of this award and I am very happy that I can call him my friend.
From David Stewart:
Congratulations to Gary on receiving this award. He has been here helping since day one, a tireless volunteer who contributed to most projects regarding building, heat systems, painting , markets etc. He was a great help to me during my time at the center. Thanks and congrats!
From Ruth Doiron:
Gary is one of the faces of the Taymouth Community Association that brings comfort to those around them. His calm kindness welcomes volunteers and community members alike. Everyone loves Gary!! I know from all the breakfasts I have helped with that it was a relief each morning when I saw that Gary was there! If the circuit breakers kicked out, I knew we would be OK. Any problem that arose from any event or activity that I was involved in could be fixed with a phone call to Gary. He has been missed around here for sure as he has dialed back his volunteering a bit, but he has definitely earned this award! I believe he (and many others) should have received the award before me! I have been pushing for him for many years. I’m very happy he is being honored this year. There is no one like him!
From Barb Flinn:
He has been involved with the TCC since day one. He was very helpful with the construction of the addition from the outside to the inside, including the painting. He is a Jack of All Trades as he seems to know how everything from the furnace, boiler, water system and electrical works. It doesn’t matter if you ask him to change a light bulb, set up the P.A. system, change the water bottle or pick up supplies from town; he is always willing to help. This is a sign of a Good Volunteer and that is why Gary is so deserving of this award. Congratulations Gary!
From Jean Burgess:
Salt of the earth – that is Gary English. His presence is a warm and balancing one that we all gravitate to and are steadied by. Gary is the best kind of care-taker, warm and caring and at the same time very practical and skilled. Gary’s involvement with the Taymouth Community Centre began when he was appointed by the provincial government to care for the Taymouth School after it was decommissioned. His knowledge of the building has been of great use since. When any of us are faced with building maintenance and repair questions, often our first thought is to call Gary. He has always been available to look after problems that arise. Often, he just goes ahead and fixes things and we hear about it after they’re looked after. This leads to the strong suspicion that Gary has done a lot we haven’t heard about at all. Now that’s community spirit!
Gary has pinch hit for many of us in many ways over the years – from doing shifts with the market canteen, to helping with the mounting of pieces for our art and quilt shows, to helping with the set up of music equipment for concerts ad projectors for movie nights. And always Gary is ready to pause and lighten a moment with a good chat and sharing of stories, thus adding flavor to our lives as volunteers and neighbours. Thank you Gary.
From Mark Young:
I haven’t worked on any projects with Gary but I know he is very deserving of this award. He works hard but quietly in the background getting things done for the TCA.
From Craig & Amey Hickey:
When I think of somebody who has always been there for the community center, one name comes to the top of the list. Always willing to lend a hand for just about anything that needs to be done, Gary has assisted with and looked after a countless number of tasks and projects to help keep the TCC operating and looking its best. Being involved with the center since the early days, he has become a wealth of knowledge and history of just about everything with the building. From building maintenance work, to helping set up for various events to providing his professional painting skills, Gary has always been eager to volunteer to help whenever called upon. In many instances, Gary will simply go do something because he knows it needs doing without having to be asked. Congratulations on a well deserved Volunteerism Award and thanks for all you do for the TCC.
From Rhona O’Hara:
Gary is our gentle giant. He has always been there to help with any repair or new project, like new siding on our TCC building, painting walls or ripping out the old tiles etc., etc. He has stayed by barbequing hot dogs at market; however, the onions were always missing. He is always there to set up Sandra’s canopy and products on market mornings. He doesn’t like being in the limelight which probably explains why it has taken so long for him to be honoured. We honour you Gary and appreciate you.
From Ene Vahi:
When I think of Gary, at the top of my mind is the struggle I have had with the lock on the front door. Apparently others have had the same issue. One time in particular I had tried everything I could to secure the door by with no success. It was during the day and I had to leave but that evening I thought it best not to have the door remain unlocked. In a panic I called Gary and sure enough, he came down and somehow managed to get the lock to cooperate. He’s that guy you call when there’s a problem.
From Sandra English:
I find it a little difficult to focus on one aspect of the person I have shared forty years of my life with but I will try to stay on topic. This is about volunteerism. This guy seems to have it in his nature to lend a hand. He became involved with the TCA as soon as it was organized. Coming from a small community background he understood the idea of neighbor helping neighbor. Being a very social person he enjoyed working with friends and getting to know new people. There were times when the laughter on a project site drowned out the hammers and saws. Whenever he can, he finds time to help whether on special projects, general maintenance, stage sound or canteen. I have often heard “maybe Gary knows…”. I do know he will be a little uncomfortable being singled out with this recognition but I do agree it is well deserved.
With those kind words acknowledged, the Taymouth Community Association is pleased to present The Burgess Volunteerism Award for 2018 to Gary English with our sincere appreciation for your community service.
Board of Directors
Taymouth Community Association
June 9, 2018
Photo by Amanda Wildeman