By Mark Squibb
The City of Mount Pearl kicked off it’s annual City Day celebrations with the Best in Mount Pearl Awards ceremony at the Reid Community Centre last Thursday.
The City recognized a number of individuals and community groups that make Mount Pearl a better place for everyone.
K-Rock radio host Candice Udle received the Impact in Music, Arts, and Culture award. Udle has hosted a number of city events over the years, including Mount Pearl City Days and Frosty Festival, and is a regular participant in the annual Lions Club Christmas parade.
“One of the things that is so special about Mount Pearl is the community,” said Udle. “I don’t know anybody else who can say they have such a strong group of friends from high school alone that still hang out. Most of those friends are here tonight with me. It’s amazing that you stay so connected, and it’s because you stay so involved with each other, be it events, be it school. It’s a wonderful place.”
Udle joked that her husband Paul, who hails from Portugal Cove, will never get her out of Mount Pearl, try as he might.
The City handed out not one, but three Community Group of the Year awards. The first went to the 1st Mount Pearl Lions Scouting Group.
The group, which boasts over 200 youth members and over 50 adult volunteers, annually plant trees, clean up their community, support local food banks, and more.
Community Care Mount Pearl, formed in 2022 by librarian Cindy Hall, was also named a Community Group of the Year. The group combats hunger in the community through little free pantries and food collections.
The Men’s Slo Pitch Softball League was named the third and final Community Group of the Year.
The league boasts some 240 members and celebrated it’s 47th anniversary this year. Over the years, the league has made significant contributions to local food banks, the Janeway Children’s Hospital, and Ronald McDonald House.
Fifteen-year-old Ryan Easton, founder of Ryan’s Recycling, was awarded the Environmental Award.
Easton founded Ryan’s Recycling in his parents’ backyard in 2021 and has since moved operations to a 10,000 square-foot storage yard in Donovan’s Industrial Park. Easton specializes in scrapping cars, recycling appliances and metals, and electronic recycling, and also offers dumpster services.
Longtime volunteer, resident, interior designer and Paint Shop employee Calvin Smith was named Citizen of the Year. Smith has over 30 years’ worth of volunteer experience in the City of Mount Pearl, including with the Mount Pearl Scouts. He serves as president of the Royal Canadian Legion and is involved with the Mount Pearl Men’s Softball League.
Smith expressed thanks to his family, friends, City council, and the many volunteers who work alongside him.
Smith was nominated by his daughter Sara.
“She nominated me, but she wasn’t allowed to tell me — I think she’s allowed to tell me now,” joked Smith.
The final award of the night, the Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Mike Mooney.
“I’m deeply honored and sincerely grateful to receive this recognition this evening,” said Mooney. “I’m honoured to join the ranks of previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award, individuals who I know personally, and admire and respect for their long standing and outstanding community service.”
Mooney expressed thanks to family, friends, council, and fellow volunteers, and closed with a message for his wife Wanda.
“Wanda, when you go home tonight, and get ready to go to bed, you’re not going to bed with just your husband, Mike Mooney,” he joked. “You’re going to bed with Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mike Mooney.”
There was not much to say after that, and organizers wrapped things up for the night.
