PORT ALICE—Fire chief Wayne Beckett, Doug Bondue and the late Fred Lind were recognized for their service and contributions to the Village of Port Alice during a ceremony held at the fire hall during the annual tree lighting ceremony earlier this month.
Outgoing Mayor Gail Neely presented plaques of appreciation to Beckett and Bondue and a special dedication award plaque to Arlen Lind, the widow of former fire chief Fred Lind.
Lind was recognized for his 28 years of service to the fire department, many of them as fire chief, during some of the community's most active years. The plaque will be erected for permanent display at Port Alice Fire Hall.
Beckett was presented an appreciation award from the mayor and council for his 39 years of service to the Port Alice Fire Department.
Bondue was presented an appreciation award for his volunteer work in the community, particularly with youth and athletics. He had volunteered as coach, mentor, referee and umpire for hockey and baseball. He was an Olympic torch bearer in 2010 and in 2007 was recognized as one of 13 nationwide Local Hockey Leaders, an honour that saw him feted in a ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame and that brought a $10,000 contribution from RBC to benefit hockey programs in Port Alice.
The award ceremony followed the annual lighting of the Port Alice Community Christmas tree, a fifty-foot fir located at the fire hall.
After the awards and the tree lighting, revelers enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies and live Christmas music courtesy of Tiffany Watson. The community wants to thank BC Hydro, K&K Electric, Kevin Cameron and Gord Ward for working on the Christmas lights and making the event a fun and lively evening.