Kincardine Scottish Festival volunteer awards presented at appreciation night

About 80 Kincardine Scottish Festival volunteers and members of the executive gathered Friday evening at the Kincardine Arts Centre for an appreciation night.

Richard Yun, site director for the festival, welcomed everyone and thanked all the volunteers who help make this event run smoothly.

"This was my first time working on this event," he said, "and every time I found something I needed to do, I could easily find somebody to help me out with it."

He said this year was difficult for the festival, weatherwise, which is why there is a rainy-day fund.

"The first day of the festival it rained in the morning, and was really cold in the evening," said Yun. "That put a damper on things. However, the park was packed Saturday and we had the best Sunday ever. And Monday morning, volunteers showed up to help tear down and clean up."

He reminded everyone that the final figures will be issued in the annual report, available at the annual general meeting in November.

This year's volunteer appreciation awards went to two groups of individuals who have put a lot of hours, hard work and dedication into the festival over the past couple of years.

The first group included adult volunteer Carmen Bamford-Szakacs, and youth volunteers Emma Beal, Chloe Beal, Nick Bamford and Tyler Bamford.

The second group included adult volunteer Tanya Jones (also a member of the executive), and youth volunteers Victor Creighton, Tyler Woodhall, Owen Jones, and Ben Netzke.

Also in attendance at the appreciation night, were retired event manager Janice Griffith Curtis, and new manager Linda Johnson. This is the only paid staff position for the festival, besides the summer students in May and June.

Griffith Curtis has been the event manager for the past five festivals. Her final day was July 28, so she was able to work with Johnson through this year's festival, training and assisting her.

"I'm really glad the executive agreed to hire Linda for this year's event so we could work together," said Griffith Curtis. "It's been great to show her how everything comes together so she has hands-on experience. After the event, we were able to analyze things and I could give her some pointers."

"I've been trained by an expert," said Johnson. "Now, I'm looking forward to putting that training and experience to work for next year's festival."

"I know she'll do a great job," said Griffith Curtis. "She's a terrific organizer. I've already volunteered for next year, and my husband, Don, has too.

"It's nice to hand the event manager job over to somebody who is comfortable and confident in that role."

"She's very generous in sharing everything she knows about this job," added Johnson.

Griffith Curtis said the one thing she is most proud of, during her time as event manager, was getting an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to do a strategic plan for the festival. "That's what moved us forward to the next level, to expand and improve the festival."

So, what has she been doing since she retired July 28?

"I married Don Curtis in April and then I had to concentrate on the festival," said Griffith Curtis. "But since retiring, we've been relaxing. He has a home in Peterborough and a cottage just outside of Peterborough, and I have my home in Point Clark. We're going to see what works.

"I'm going to miss the people and the friends I've made in the Kincardine community, but I'll be back. In fact, I'm part of the Kincardine Community Singers so I'll be here for that."

And finally, after nine years as a volunteer and member of the executive, including serving as vice-chairperson, chairperson and past-chairperson, Marion Fink is leaving the festival. She has tendered her resignation from the executive and said it's time to move on to something different.