Well-known community volunteer Mary Slater has been named the village’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
Slater received the prestigious award at the Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce general meeting and dinner held at the Arthur Legion Nov. 6. Other nominees for the award were Darcy Culp, Myrna Hutchison and John Walsh.
Slater was surprised by the award. “I had no idea,” she said of her win over three other worthy nominees.
She received the award for volunteering with community groups in Arthur and Damascus. She is best known for her 33 years with the Arthur and District Agricultural Society where she has served as a director and president for the past two years.
Slater acknowledged that despite difficulties faced by many fall fair organizations around the area, the Arthur fall fair continues to be well attended and successful.
“I really like the ag society,” she said of its members and supporters.
Slater also volunteers at the Damascus hall and serves as secretary-treasurer of the Damascus euchre club which meets weekly with six to 10 tables playing.
“I’ve done it for years.”
She is proud of the award and the recognition it gives to community volunteerism.
“It was a surprise.”
