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.
In a community full of selfless volunteers, two Flin Flon men stand out. Tom Therien and Bill Morrell both accepted the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club of Flin Flon recently. 'I didn't expect anything like that,' said Therien. 'It's just a great honour to even be thought of. In getting one of these, I join a long list of very distinguished people from this community.' The award, the highest honour bestowed by Rotary clubs, recognizes meritorious community service among Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. Calling his acceptance of the award 'a really humbling experience,' Therien said he is a big believer in serving the community in which one lives. Within two weeks of moving to Flin Flon in late 1989, Therien was already volunteering for the Flin Flon Bombers. He started out working bingos and the like, and eventually joined the board of directors. Among other organizations and events, he has also been part of the Trout Festival, Community Futures Greenstone, the Chamber of Commerce and the Flin Flon Old-time Bombers. Therien is also closely involved with the Kinsmen Club, having been named a life member. He currently chairs a national committee for Kin Canada. He is also, of course, a former mayor and long-time city councillor. Distinguished Morrell, an active member of the Rotary Club of Flin Flon, is another distinguished volunteer. Among the projects to which he has dedicated himself is Operation Red Nose, a holiday-time service that safely drives partiers home in their own vehicles. 'Bill and Tom have contributed greatly in many different areas throughout the community,' said Bill Fulford, Rotary Club president. Rotarians presented the awards on Aug. 21 during a banquet meeting at the Rotary Wheel attended by dozens of guests. The guest of honour was Rotary District Governor Ed Thompson, who praised the efforts of the Flin Flon club. It was also a big night for Fulford, who is still settling into his role as president, a post he assumed July 1. During his one-year term, Fulford, a retired health and safety worker, hopes to raise awareness of how the Rotarians make Flin Flon and area a better place. Fulford himself has been a Rotarian for about the past five years, though he has a long history of volunteerism in Flin Flon. He invites anyone interested in joining the Rotary Club, or learning more about their activities and purpose, to contact him at 204-687-7479 or any other Rotary member.
