Stavely presents 2023 citizen of the year award

By Rob Vogt
Candice Greig is the 2023 Stavely Citizen of the Year.
The award was presented during the intermission of the annual Stavely Amateur Rodeo on Saturday, Aug. 26, by Tim Nelson, of the Stavely Elks who look after the award.
“Every year we recognize someone in our community who has gone above and beyond in our community as a volunteer to help make our community what it is,” Nelson said.
He then took a few minutes to read the previous winners of the award, who were a who’s who of community leaders over the past decades.
Nelson then introduced this year’s winner.
“We scooped her up from Brooks where she worked in the fertilizer business for many years,” he said.
She transferred to Claresholm where she was location manager for South Country Co-op then moved on to become chief administrative officer for the Town of Stavely.
Currently, she is the treasurer of the Stavely Agricultural Society, a position she has held more than 10 years.
“However, her role and work with the ag society goes way beyond being a treasurer,” Nelson said.
He described how she takes care of the flowers at the corner of the town parking lot; promotes the arena and ice rink to other organizations to use; and is behind the scenes constantly cleaning and organizing in and around the arena.
In fact, Nelson pointed out, she was the one who got the supplies purchased, delivered to the arena and helped cook the roasts for the beef on a bun that preceded the amateur rodeo. She also arranged the float for the event’s 50/50 draw.
She takes care of all the messages on the community electronic sign across from the town office.
She volunteers at the Stavely Elks Pheasant Derby, where she arranged the donation of thousands of dollars when she worked in the fertilizer industry.
She took care of the Stavely Odd Fellows cemetery for a number of years, and still traps gophers and moles for the lodge.
She also serves on the Royal Purple and volunteers at many of their events.
“She gives hours of her time, quietly and without expectation of thanks,” Nelson said.
He then announced Greig was this year’s Stavely Citizen of the Year.
“We as a community are quite fortunate to have Candice living and working in the Stavely area,” Nelson said. “Her values and ability to see getting jobs done is remarkable.”
He concluded with a quote from Jim Watson, the town’s foreman, who has worked with Greig for years: “Candice is making Stavely a little bit better every day.”

The Stavely Elks presented this year’s Stavely Citizen of the Year to Candice Greig. Here she is at left accepting the award from Elk Tim Nelson. Photo by Rob Vogt