• To Don Moore, Red Deer’s former superintendent of recreation who was recently inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
The soft-spoken Moore is a true community builder: he had a clear vision for Red Deer and he contributed from the heart to the goodness of this community. His dedication and his belief that sports help build character in youth helped create the Red Deer we cherish today.
Moore was the perfect person for the job at a time when Red Deer was ready to evolve from a small city to a much larger community with dreams equally as large.
He helped kick-start the community into the new age of healthy lifestyles.
At the age of 81, Moore was saluted at his recent induction into the hall of fame for — among his many accomplishments — his work with the city’s youth. He said that work holds his fondest memories.
“Overall, the thing I feel proudest of is the length of time I put into coaching,” Moore said. “I coached football, hockey, swimming and skiing and I consider that my most enjoyable (accomplishment). It was an opportunity to have some influence on people.”
As the young people of Central Alberta became involved in the programs Moore helped to start and flourish, so did their parents become involved and soon became vital community volunteers.
His other accomplishments in Red Deer include a role in the establishment of the Dawe Centre, a unique concept that brought Catholic and public school districts together. “It wasn’t an easy task. The money wasn’t there and we had to struggle to get it done,” said Moore.
He was also a leader in the concept, design and construction of the Waskasoo Park and was directly involved in securing a permanent site and home for the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
“While Don was working, a lot of people were watching,” said longtime city Councillor Larry Pimm at the induction ceremonies. “They were adopting his ideas and his ideals and today they’re working and people are watching them.”
Of his work and devotion to this region, Moore said this: “It’s been a hell of a journey . . . just a great journey.”
We are a far better community for the journey he took.
• To the City of Red Deer for a clever plan to boost recycling and keep useful items out of the landfill, so that everyone can benefit.
As part of Environment Week, the city today and Sunday is holding what it calls Kick it to the Curb.
Residents are urged to put useful but unwanted items out on the curb of their dwellings and mark them free for the taking. Items can include CDs, DVDs, kitchenware, couches and construction material.
Go to the city’s website for more information — www.reddeer.ca and type “Kick it to the Curb” in the search browser. Or go to the Red Deer Advocate’s website — www.reddeeradvocate.com — and search in the Local News category to find information outlining this neat project in detail.
So forget window shopping this weekend. Try curb shopping.
The city is to be commended for this novel approach in keeping with the green scene.
Happy shoppers get free stuff, and those putting out the items can give themselves a pat on the back for caring for an environment that must be kept sacred and pristine for generations to come.
Rick Zemanek is an Advocate editor.