Community Spirit Lives Here! 2024-25

Devon Communities in Bloom has selected Allan Macaulay to be recognized by the program Community Spirit Lives Here!

Allan has been an active member of the community since he and his wife, Karen, moved to Devon in 2008 from Barrhead where he operated a tree farm for 30 years. It is hard to imagine anyone who has contributed more time to volunteer activities than Allan. A testament to his dedication to the betterment of the community is having been the recipient of two provincial volunteer awards: the 2018 Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award and the 2018 Recreation Volunteer Recognition Award. 

Allan operates a tree management service, but a considerable amount of his time is donated to people free of charge, providing advice, pruning and transplanting trees that he has started from seedlings in his backyard. He is particularly fond of the many seedlings that he has transplanted from a beautiful, majestic silver maple on South Ram Crescent. He has gotten to know the current homeowner where the tree is located and learned that the grandmother planted the original silver maple more than sixty years ago. 

Allan says that the most enjoyable aspect of helping people manage their trees is the meeting and making of good friends. He spends much of his time during spring and summer helping at the Devon Community Garden where he has made lots of friends and acquaintances. He maintains a plot in the community garden where he transplants the seedlings that have outgrown his backyard.

Other positions and activities that he is or was involved with include being the current secretary/treasurer of the Devon Nature Club, past chair of Devon Communities in Bloom, past president and still a member of the Lions Club. After leaving his position as chair of Devon Communities in Bloom, Allan provided advice and content for the “Trees of Devon” publication. 

As with his other volunteer activities, Allan has played a number of important roles with the Devon Nordic Ski Club over his 15 years of service: coaching for the youth program, coordinating ski rentals for the youth program, grooming the trails, and providing leadership as president of the board.

He regularly collaborates with the Town of Devon to draft park by-laws which are designed to protect green spaces. In this capacity he helps with policing the trails and doing trail reclamation along the shores of the North Saskatchewan River and on the steep trails within Voyageur Park which are prone to landslides in wet seasons. This work also includes providing know-how and recommendations for improvements to the park. 

He assisted with the creation and maintenance of the Highwood Park Wetlands with some members and Kristen Andersen, the president, of the Alberta Native Plant Council. Allan recently spearheaded a fundraiser for Wild North with help from members of the Nature Club. In his spare time, he builds and puts up birdhouses around a pond in the town industrial park as well as in locations that he selected as ideal nesting sites along rural sideroads.  

Through his tireless generosity and devoted community spirit Allan continues to make the community of Devon a better place to live. 

Devon Communities in Bloom is delighted to recognize volunteers with the Devon Nordic Ski Club (DNSC). 

The DNSC promotes recreational cross-country skiing for people of all ages so they can enjoy a low-cost and local outdoor activity that contributes to their health and sense of well-being. This small but mighty ski club started in 1958 and has continued to serve the community every winter since then, thanks to people who volunteer to sit on the board, organize events, coach youth, and help maintain the Club’s equipment and trails. Others and parents help with activities on an as-needed basis, e.g. trail clean-up in the fall, youth lessons, and the annual DNSC family loppet. The average annual volunteer hours donated to the Club range from 500 to 800 hours, depending on the amount of snowfall, length of the season, projects and programs undertaken, and events hosted.

Certified coaches volunteer to help young people develop technical skills, physical fitness, and a love of the outdoors through Nordiq Canada’s youth programs: Bunny Rabbit (ages 4-5), Jack Rabbit (ages 6-9), and Track Attack (ages 10-12). To decrease the costs for families, volunteers take care of an inventory of skis, boots and poles which can be rented, at a low cost for the full season, to children in the youth programs. 

In the late 1990s, the DNSC board decided to promote the Club and give back to the community by donating money for flowers every year and providing volunteer labour to contribute to the revitalization of Centennial Park. The Club continues to provide annuals and volunteer labour for the “Nordic bed” every summer.

Groomers set over 15 km of classic and skate skiing trails in the river valley on land shared with the Devon Golf & Conference Centre and Lions Park, as well as on surrounding Town of Devon trails. The DNSC recently purchased a new snowmobile and grooming equipment, thanks to a generous grant from the Town of Devon, a fundraiser organized by the DNSC board, and annual allocations to an equipment reserve fund. These purchases have made trail maintenance more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and easier for the groomers. 

The efforts of DNSC volunteers to provide groomed trails receives generous praise from Devon and area residents:

“X-country skiing is my favorite winter sport, so having trails that are well maintained by the Devon Nordic Ski Club's volunteers has an extremely positive impact on my life. I am out on those trails for several hours a day when the weather permits it, and exercising in nature keeps me healthy and happy. I look forward to chatting with the other skiers I meet and the club's ladies’ group that meets in the restaurant in the Golf Clubhouse.”

“Skiing out at DNSC is the premiere site in the Edmonton area for cross country skiing. The trails are always well groomed and in excellent condition, weather dependent. DNSC is my favourite spot to go for a ski. I know the trails will always be in the best grooming shape possible. I cannot thank the grooming team enough for their dedication.”

“For the last 5 years I have XC skied [at the] Devon golf course under various snow conditions over 135 times. Over time, it became my favourite destination due to high quality grooming and track setting. I recommend it to everybody who is looking to spend a few hours in a nice environment with pleasant fellow skiers.” 

The benefits that DNSC volunteers provide youth were also praised:

“Coach Karen has a gentle way of introducing our youngest members to the joy of movement and sport on skis. Coach Nora’s energy is contagious and results in great spirit in our Jack Rabbits.”

 “Skiing is one of the best outdoor winter sports for kids with fresh air, exercise and no electronics. The students sleep wonderfully after an afternoon of skiing.”

“I love going down hills.” “I love to double pole, skate ski, and go down hills.” 

Communities in Bloom is delighted to celebrate the Nordic Ski Club’s positive impact on Devon and to honour its dedicated volunteers. They make our town an excellent place to be active and enjoy the outdoors.

Rochelle and John are well known to the residents of Devon for their musical talents as singer-musicians with John on guitar and Rochelle on piano. They generously volunteer their talents and their time to many local events. The couple have lived in Devon since they were married in 2016.  John says, “We love living here because Devon is such a friendly and welcoming community.”

John and Rochelle have performed in many local and regional venues such as the Devon Art Market, Discovery Place and Pioneer 73, and they are regulars at the Devon Summer Outdoor Markets. They call their musical duo “Mountain Sapphire” and for the past two summers have organized the Sapphire Sunset Concerts at Centennial Park, where they teamed up with other local musicians to put on a full evening of music. The duo also has a full schedule of performances at seniors’ homes and other care centres in the Edmonton, Leduc, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Wetaskiwin, Drayton Valley, and other locations.   

In 2017, they volunteered their services for a fundraiser concert at the Devon Community Center to help a refugee family from Syria. The event was a great success where they entertained a nearly sold-out crowd. They also cheered seniors from Drayton Valley with a small concert at the Key West Inn after they had evacuated their community when it was threatened by wildfires. John and Rochelle also donate their time and talents at free monthly concerts for long-term care patients at the Devon General Hospital. And for the past two years, they have hosted the music for the annual “Tom’s Walk” fundraiser for mental health awareness.   

While John volunteers his time and talents as the sound man for the East of Sixty theatre group, Rochelle assumes the role of President of the Devon Art Association, which includes monthly Paint Nights and Art & Craft Markets. The couple also run a small publishing company that specializes in helping new authors. 

Through their music, their contribution to the arts and their community spirit, Rochelle and John help to make Devon a better place to live.

Devon Communities in Bloom is delighted to recognize Nadine Thomson through its program, Community Spirit Lives Here!  

Nadine, inspired in part by her community-engaged parents, has explored numerous ways to contribute to the well-being of her fellow residents and that has earned the admiration of many.  Here is what some have had to say about her:

Nadine has the most energetic, caring spirit of anyone I know; always trying to help out and teaches her daughter to do the same.

Nadine is a reliable, dedicated, and passionate member of the community and an absolute joy to have as part of our community events.

Nadine has a kind, caring demeanor and her community spirit was evident in influencing groups of girls for years as a guide leader.

With nearly a decade of service on the Devon Days Committee, Nadine’s contributions extend far beyond event planning. Whether organizing the popular comedy night or selling tickets, her involvement reflects a deep commitment to fostering connections within the community. For Nadine, the Taste of Devon, a popular feature of Devon Days, holds particular significance, as it offers her a unique chance to engage with many residents personally.

Nadine brings her neighbours closer together by organizing block parties in her neighbourhood. Recognizing the importance of cohesive neighbourhoods, she goes out of her way to ensure everyone feels included and connected.

Nadine’s commitment to community service started early, with her involvement in Devon’s cherished Christmas in the Park event as a young adult. For years, she has volunteered her time and talents to help make the annual celebration the great success that it is.

Another notable achievement is Nadine’s instrumental role in reviving the Girl Guides program in Devon after years of inactivity. Rallying other women to join the cause, she dedicated eight years to the program, helping girls engage in meaningful community service projects such as planting flowers in public spaces, collecting food bank donations, assisting with Christmas in the Park, and participating in local clean-ups. Nadine takes pride in seeing some of these girls, now young adults, continue to volunteer in the community.

Her compassion extends to holiday programs like the Christmas Elves initiative, where she assisted in assembling and delivering hampers to those in need.

This year, Nadine has been chosen to serve on the Town of Devon’s 75th Anniversary Committee, a role she embraces with enthusiasm. She looks forward to helping organize the celebratory activities planned for this milestone year.

Looking to the future, Nadine is already considering other ways to make a difference. Addressing the challenges faced by homeless teens is a cause she feels strongly about, and she hopes to find a way to help.

Devon is fortunate to have someone like Nadine Thomson—an inspiring example of how one person’s dedication can make a lasting impact on a community. Through her countless contributions, Nadine continues to make Devon a better place for everyone.

As mentioned in last week’s article, the Devon Hospital Foundation’s mandate is to enhance the experience for all individuals who access our hospital’s services.

The Foundation board is hosting a thank-you mixer for Friends of the Foundation on December 6 to show their gratitude to their sponsors, donors and volunteers. The Foundation’s future depends on these very important contributors. 

If you are interested in donating to the Foundation, there are several ways. You could recognize a loved one with a star on the Memory Tree, displayed inside the hospital’s main entrance during the holiday season, with a donation of $10 or more. At other times of the year, there are other options. For more information or to donate, go to www.devonhospitalfounds.org.

The Foundation is thrilled that 20 Devon residents stepped forward to offer at least three hours per week of their time to help with The Gift Shop, which is reopening on December 2. Board members continue to seek other individuals who can give a few hours a week to their vibrant volunteer program. Please visit their website to obtain more information. 

The commitment of the Foundation’s trustees is evident in many ways. Many of them have served on the board for a long time—as many as 20 years. The trustees’ motivations and dedication to our hospital and community are best expressed in their own words: 

“Giving back is so important.”

“I believe people deserve kindness when they are in pain or distressed by a medical condition or they have to watch a loved one endure pain. I have, at one time or another, been both of these people and I saw that kindness in the hospitals.

Through my volunteer work as a member of the Devon General Hospital Foundation, it is rewarding to see the benefits of the contributions to the hospital and how it has helped the patients, staff and the community as a whole. I have also met so many amazing people during my time with the board who share a common vision for our hospital. It feels good and provides me with a sense of purpose and peace to provide kindness to others within my community.”

“I am a retired nurse and know the needs of the hospital, patients, and staff.”

“Having to move out of their home and into a long-term care (LTC) facility is such a hard change in seniors’ lives and the Foundation has helped make this change a little easier. My mom has been in LTC for 8 years and if not for the Foundation, she would not have had all the activities, treats, outings, medical equipment and the beauty of a courtyard to enjoy. These services make a huge difference for the seniors. This is my motivation for joining the Foundation.”

“If not me, then who?” 

“When I originally came on staff with the Devon General Hospital, the pleasure the Foundation donations brought to the staff and the long-term care residents was continually reinforced. Reports of palliative care families’ thankfulness for the extra space and amenities at end-of-life care and of acute care patients making use of TV and phones were steady. I was honoured to be asked to be part of that.

The Foundation remains supportive of these groups, but we are also being asked to take a larger role behind the scenes, such as replacing outdated or failing large equipment. Consequently, my main motivation for continuing to volunteer with the Foundation is to make sure that the small things are not forgotten or retired and that anyone entering our doors can benefit from one of those gestures of added comfort and support.”

“My mother-in-law passed away in the Devon hospital several years ago. She was a resident in long-term care for 2 years. My husband & I grew to love and appreciate all the wonderful hospital staff during this time.”

“It takes so little time to give so much help to so many.” 

In the spirit of helping those in need, the Foundation also donates to groups outside of Devon including the Leduc Food Bank and last year, it provided food gift cards to Drayton Valley forest- fire evacuees.

Devon Communities in Bloom is delighted to celebrate the Foundation’s positive and extremely important impact on our community and to recognize its dedicated volunteers who embody the spirit of service. They make Devon a better place.

Devon Communities in Bloom is excited to start another season of the program Community Spirit Lives Here! (CSLH!) with a tribute to the Hospital Foundation. CSLH! honours the community-building efforts of Devon’s volunteers, service personnel, great neighbours and business owners. 

Devon’s first hospital was constructed in 1954 out of bunkhouses donated by Imperial Oil Ltd. Thirty years later, the current hospital was built by the Province of Alberta with money from the Heritage Savings Trust Fund. 

The sick and their loved ones do not take this building and its services for granted. It is a sanctuary of care and hope at a difficult time. There are many people who work in the building to serve the ill. And supporting those workers, the patients and their families are the volunteers who serve on the hospital’s Foundation. The first volunteer board to work with the hospital formed in 1968 as the Devon Hospital Auxiliary. In 1994, the Devon General Hospital Foundation was incorporated with a board of directors consisting of 15 trustees. The catchment area of the Foundation goes north of Devon to Highway 627 (Garden Valley Road), south to Highway 39 to Warburg, east to the Edmonton city limits and west to Township Road 275 (Campsite Road).

Tod Pharis, Site Manager of the Devon General Hospital, describes the value of the Foundation to the hospital as follows:

“The Town of Devon and surrounding area is very lucky to have such a robust foundation supporting the local hospital. The Devon General Hospital Foundation is entirely made up of local volunteers who donate their time and work tirelessly to support this facility and the patients and residents it serves daily.

The Foundation’s mandate has always been to enhance the experience for all individuals who access our hospital’s services—whether the enhancement be something small but incredibly impactful, like providing nourishment carts to families whose loved ones are palliative, or a large-scale project such as building and maintaining our beautiful courtyard. With the tremendous support the Foundation has garnered from the local community, they have been able to purchase state of the art technology for the hospital. I am grateful to have such great support for our patients, staff and physicians.”

Over the lifetime of the Foundation, it has donated more than $2 million in equipment, services and projects. In the past year alone, the Foundation funded more than $140,000 in equipment and services including a DEVO X-ray plate which has changed the quality of imaging and the way x-rays are taken. An ultrasound system was also purchased for the emergency department. This piece of equipment allows medical personnel to diagnose illnesses in Devon rather than having to transfer them elsewhere.

In early October, the Foundation held its fall strategic planning meeting where a number of important decisions were made. For example, they approved an increase to the student bursary program. Beginning in 2025, up to five health care students will receive a $3000 bursary. This is an increase of two bursaries and doubles the amount of each bursary.

In addition, commencing in 2025, a continuing education grant in the amount of $2500 may be awarded to two individuals who want to advance their knowledge, skills and increase their job opportunities. The individuals must be fully licensed in their current role as a registered nurse or other health care occupation.

There is more important information to share about the Devon General Hospital Foundation trustees and their shared cause. To be continued in next week’s Dispatch…