As far as some of my favorite pieces to write go, these took the yearly cake and pretty much took their rightful spot on the top of the pile.
Sometimes, part of my job can be creating something from nothing. This means making cold calls to people, lining up interviews, meeting with my subject in-person, posing my questions, and letting the pieces fall where they may. Writing these stories in particular was very much a practice in that process.
I remember sitting down with so many people who were deemed worthy of such an honor, and of course, they would always give me the same 'Me? Really? I just can't believe it!' response to my line of questioning.
I remember meeting with one of them during one specific year. I was all set to meet with Lyall Campbell at the Co-op grocery store's designated 'coffee row' section. I got there on time, saw him grabbing a coffee before sitting down, and he insisted on getting a cup for me too, on him. Much obliged, Lyall. We grabbed our afternoon joe, took a seat, and I started my questions.
"So, Lyall, as you know, you've just been named the newest Jim Kook Citizen of the Year in Outlook. What are your first thoughts?"
Over the years, as people have been taken aback by becoming the recipient of the distinguished community honor, I've interviewed people who shed tears at reaching such an achievement. Lyall, as it were, was no different, as he shed tears explaining to me his gratefulness and his pride at being the newest recipient of the award. We sat there together and must have talked for a good half hour or so before I was on my way. Heading back to the office, I knew I had a good story in my hands.
The best articles and stories can sometimes come from pure human emotion. Stories such as this were no exception.
I've been fortunate enough to interview about a dozen people who've been named as the newest Citizen of the Year in Outlook over the years, and we all watched as that award grew to include honors for Youth of the Year, Business of the Year, and Community Event or Group of the Year. The expansion was a nice touch, as well as a fitting one. Hell, maybe even required, if you knew the selfless work being done by others in town.
Yessir, these Community Appreciation Awards were turning out to be a big hit every year. It was a popular ticket in town, and why shouldn't it be? Put on your evening best, arrive at the Civic Centre, grab a table along with some friends, pass around the bottle of wine, enjoy some fine foods, and watch as some of your community's best people take their rightful place in your town's history.
Not every town has an event like this, and perhaps not every town should, but as history as shown us, the people, businesses and events in Outlook have their own unique flair and attributes that stand out and demand attention. Such people help make Outlook what it is as a community and as a town that's always moving forward and keeping that train chugging along.
But, if I'm being perfectly honest, it was difficult not to notice that the event went through a rough patch as the years went on, which I believe is at least part of the reason (COVID being another factor) why it hasn't returned to the limelight. It's unfortunate and you hate to see things like that happen, but nonetheless, they do happen from time to time. Dwindling attendance numbers, production issues with things such as PowerPoint or slideshow presentations, even something as annoying as microphone issues; these affected some of those nights, and depending on your involvement with any of those evenings, I can only imagine how difficult it may be to get that sour taste out of your mouth.
But that was then and this is now. It's been a few years, so we can put all that behind us, can't we? This event NEEDS to return, and I wonder if it needs to be rehauled, too.
To be blunt: the "community" needs to be put back into the Community Appreciation Awards.
What could be done if the event were to be resurrected? Well, you could do some research and put some feelers out into the community, asking residents to name people, businesses or events that they feel should win such an award. After doing some substantial groundwork, you could then publicize a list of viable, deserving candidates for each award and ask the people of Outlook and surrounding area to make their voices heard and cast a vote on who should be the winners. In my opinion, the power of the decision should go into the hands of the people who call this community home.
The last awards night in town was held back in May 2019. That was only three years ago, but it just feels like so much longer, doesn't it? To put it another way, we've entered a new decade and this event has managed to remain in the last one. It's time for you to return, good buddy.
I remember that year's Citizen of the Year winner was Brent Larwood; a popular teacher at Outlook High School, a guy who you're bound to see giving his time at this or that event, and the youngest person ever to receive the award. He took to the stage, and something he said resonated with me on that night. I think it speaks volumes about the world we're living in today.
“We have a tremendous amount of talent in this community, and I’ve just found that you have to find it,” Brent said. “There’s always somebody who has done something amazing, but they never talk about it. Yet, when you reach out to people, and when they come out of the woodwork, now they’re the head coach of something or the leader of a board, and they just needed to be found.”
A tremendous amount of talent in this community.....and as far as today goes, we just haven't found it yet.
Let's hope that those people can be found once again, so they can receive the kudos and the spotlight that they deserve.
For this week, that's been the Ruttle Report.
