The De Winton Community Association (DCA) – A. Walter Turnbull Award – 2023
The A. Walter Turnbull Award was established by the De Winton Community Association (DCA) in recognition of the exceptional volunteer and community service provided by Mr. Turnbull over the many years he lived in our community. This Award is presented to individuals and couples who have made significant and ongoing volunteer contributions within the community and the DCA.
Honoree names are listed on a plaque displayed at the De Winton Hall. Calls for nominations generally go out in advance of the AGM, with the Board reviewing and voting on nominations following the AGM.
On the evening of March 23, 55 members of our community joined together for an evening of fun at our Membership Appreciation Night. The highlight of the evening was when Alan Alger, DCA President, presented Dave and Joyce Metcalfe with the A. Walter Turnbull Award.
Dave and Joyce moved to the community in 1988, and right from the start, they were involved in volunteering in the area.
Since 1992, when Dave took over the “new” griddle duties from Gardy Shaw, he has been a fixture at the DCA’s annual Canada Day breakfast. Every year, Dave provides the equipment, fuel and supplies to ensure that the pancake magic goes off without a hitch. Under his direction and guidance, volunteers work hard so that 400 hungry Canada Day celebrants get a belly full of pancakes and a smile on their face! Without Dave, either the pancakes wouldn’t happen, or the cost to rent the equipment would put us in a large deficit.
We’re not quite sure what the connection is between Dave’s career as an explosive’s expert and pancakes, but we understand that the original griddle, that Dave volunteered with, was a monster that leaked and burned the legs of the people using it. We can only assume that this griddle instilled a level of self-preservation and a safety-first attitude that Dave utilized throughout his career!
Joyce was a volunteer at the Preschool during the years that their son Alan attended. Joyce was also the Secretary on the Board when the Hall burnt down.
After the firefighters left, she took it upon herself to rescue the water-logged records from the basement and laid them throughout their home to dry. If not for her efforts, important Hall records would have been lost forever.
Dave and Joyce have had a long history of volunteering with the DCA. They both regularly volunteered at the monthly dances and socials, as well as at casino fundraisers.
On behalf of the Board and Association, thank- you Dave and Joyce, for all you have contributed over the years to our community and to the DCA.
