Smoky River Agricultural Society award winners (from left) Gerard and Marie Dubois, Linda Dionne Marcoux, and outgoing president Roger Dubois.

Smoky River Agricultural Society celebrated its achievements and honoured its volunteers at the annual general meeting and awards appreciation night Dec. 6 at Guy-Donnelly Sportex. “Next year will be bigger and better with a fair returning,” says Roger Dubois in his president’s report. Dates of the Smoky River Agricultural Fair and other regular events will be discussed at the board’s next meeting on Jan. 10. “We look forward to getting more volunteers with fresh ideas, and we thank all our volunteers,” says Dubois, who stepped down as president after three years. Thrall new president Bob Thrall of McLennan was elected the new president Francois Cote remains first vice-president, while Norma Sobolewski continues as second vice-president. Rita Therriault was re-appointed as secretary-treasurer. Dubois further thanked the board members and volunteers for their dedicated work. Several directors for the coming year were also confirmed with more to follow: Guy/Donnelly/ Whitemud directors – Carolyn Beaudoin, Jodie Hawley, Raoul Johnson, Francois Cote, Carmen Pelletier, and Richard Froese. Falher – Germain Sasseville (Town of Falher councillor) and Luc Desaulniers (Municipal District of Smoky River councillor). Girouxville/ Jean Cote/Culp – Alain Dion (Village of Girouxville councillor). McLennan – Linda Dionne Marcoux, Norma Sobolewski, Bob Thrall and Gary Braithwaite (Town of McLennan councillor). Service awards- Long-service awards were presented to several directors for milestone terms of service. Six Years – Linda Dionne Marcoux and Bob Thrall. Three Years – Guy Beaudoin and Alain Dion. One Year – Coralee Plamondon and Jacques Berube. Dubrule wins Zoel Cote Bursary Mathieu Dubrule of McLennan won the Zoel Cote Bursary for $500. He is currently studying agriculture in his second year at Olds College. For several years the Zoel Cote Bursary has been awarded to a local student enrolled in a minimum two-year agricultural-related program in an Alberta post-secondary institution. Beautiful Yard award- Gerard and Marie Dubois of Jean Cote were also recognized as the 2007 winners of the Albert Fontaine Beautiful Yard Award for the Smoky River region.