The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor There's no honour like a royal honour for two of Flin Flon's outstanding citizens. As part of the Royal Weekend, Bob Putko and Crystal Kolt proudly accepted Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals for their contributions to the community. 'I was in awe because there are so many people who deserve the honour,' said Putko. 'And I just kind of was in shock. I feel humbled and am very grateful that they gave it to me.' Putko and Kolt accepted their glistening medals from MP Niki Ashton during Royal Weekend celebrations at Pioneer Square on Saturday afternoon. A retired Hudbay purchasing agent, Putko has compiled an impressive volunteer resume. Scouts, Meals on Wheels and the Masonic Lodge are among the beneficiaries of his hard work. Putko has also dedicated much of his time to helping seniors, either on an individual basis or through the Northern Lights Manor. Born and raised in Flin Flon, Putko said he never could have imagined receiving such an honour back when he was a boy delivering The Reminder. He does not know who nominated him for the medal, but given the number of lives he has impacted, it could have been any one of a number of people. Profound impact Kolt, a Winnipeg native, has also had a profound impact on a community she has called home since 1995. She has breathed new life into the arts movement through her tireless work with the Flin Flon Community Choir and the Flin Flon Arts Council. The medal was fitting considering she was also the chairperson of the Royal Weekend. 'It's this really unusual experience of having an honour like this where it's attached to a specific occasion, a specific person, and I can't quite put words to it all,' Kolt said. 'But I'm very deeply touched.' Kolt said she takes such honours as a sign to continue working hard and showing her love for Flin Flon. 'It's such a versatile, talented, supportive community, that there's no stopping now,' she said. 'We'll just keep moving forward and see what we can do next.' This is the third major honour for Kolt in recent weeks. She recently accepted the Marian Award from her alma mater, St. Mary's Academy in Winnipeg. She has also been named a 2012 inductee into the Order of Manitoba.
