Jane Ann Reimer was the recipient of the 2013 Order of the Crowsnest Pass medal, presented at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, April 25th.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
Long-time local, Jane Ann Reimer, won the Order of Crownest Pass medal award at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, an experience she described as “a total shock.”
“I was surprised to have won such an honourable award,” said Reimer, adding that she knew the two people who nominated her for the award.
But it shouldn’t come as a surprise to Reimer, who has lived in Crowsnest Pass for the majority of her life, including teaching here for 29 years of her 35 year career.
Reimer received the award at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, hosted at the Elks Hall on Thursday, April 25th.
She was one of the founders of the Coleman Community Society, founded in 1998 and now sits as president of the group that focusses on making the community of Coleman a better place.
A recent project the Coleman Community Society has tackled was improving Flummerfelt Park, including building a new camp shelter and bathroom. “It’s a good public space to hold events, so it was important for us to revitalize it,” Reimer said.
“We always had a grand scale plan for the park, and we are well on our way to achieving our goals.”
Reimer said that a primary goal for the Coleman Community Society is to encourage people- local or not- to explore and realize the potential of Coleman and learn about its past, present and future.
The group tries to involve itself in as many community-oriented activities as possible, and played lead roles in community events such as Pumpkins in the Park, Christmas in the Park, Canada Day and the Doors Open Heritage Festival.
The Coleman Community Society will be hosting a Farmers Market at the Heritage Festival this year, set to take place in August.
“We also try to help with the seniors as much as we can,” said Reimer.
In addition to her lead role in the Crowsnest Community Society, Jane-Ann also is a director on the Crowsnest Agricultural Society.
“The society is still fairly new but it’s coming along very well,” she said of the group which is currently three years old.
The Agricultural Society has had involvement in the Kananaskis Pro Rodeo and a handful of other local events.
It is easy to see that Reimer plays a big part in the community. But she said that it wasn’t hard to get involved, as it volunteerism was something she had grown up with.
“My family has always had volunteer involvement in the community,” she said, recalling times when she remembered her parents had helping with church groups, the library and the local legions.
“But maybe that’s because we have a lot of history in the Pass.”
Reimer was born and raised here, as were her parents. And her grandparents’ were married in the Pass one hundred years ago this year.
“Yes, we have been here a long time,” she said.
“My parents belonged to a number of different groups and services, and were often volunteering.”
Reimer was a teacher here in the community for 29 years, and said that her job made it easy for her to get involved.
“I was always getting involved with the community and families as a teacher,” she said.
“You get out to the Hockey and baseball games to support the students.”
Reimer said she is very thankful for the award and for local residents who recognized her community involvement.
“I would like to say thank my family, my husband Dwane and everyone who has come forth and said yes when I needed help for a job I really appreciate all that support.”
