Gordon Stueck honoured at Chamber Christmas party

Mayor of Leader, Aaron Wenzel presented the Queen Jubilee Medal to Gordon Stueck at the Leader & District Chamber of Commerce Christmas party on December 2nd. The award had officially been presented at an event held by SUMA in the spring, but the Town of Leader wished to recognize Gordon locally as well.

In his speech, Mayor Wenzel explained that the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. The Government of Saskatchewan partnered with municipalities to distribute these medals to those deserving individuals who have made a significant contribution to society and their communities. Gordon Stueck is one of those deserving but humble individuals.

On behalf of the Council of the Town of Leader, Mayor Aaron Wenzel presented the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal to Gordon Stueck at the Leader & District Chamber of Commerce Christmas party on December 2nd. SUBMITTED

Gordon said volunteers do what they do for many other reasons. He listed several reasons, including personal satisfaction, helping improve our neighbourhood, and improving the quality of life of others. Volunteering also sets an example for the young so they realize they can do things for others throughout their lives.

The following is Mayor Wenzel’s speech which he delivered at the Chamber Christmas party.

Gord has been a very active community since he arrived in Leader many years ago. Town Council would like to recognize Gord’s dedication to the Millennium Gardens, which would not be what it is today without Gord’s green thumb and hardwork. The Millennium Garden was created 24 years ago using federal grant money to celebrate the millennium. It was the perfect place to build, as upon the Town demolishing the building on the lot, contaminated soil was found. Without spending tens of thousands of dollars, the Town would be unable to resell or use these lots. This is when the idea of the Millennium Gardens came to fruition.

Gord was a part of every step of bringing the garden to life. After its completion, Gord personally hired high school and university students to care for the garden each summer. At some point, the student program faded, but not Gord’s dedication to this special place.

From April to October, you can find Gord at the Millennium Garden most days, as he spends, on average, 2 – 20 hours a week there. He is busy mowing the grass, spraying & cutting weeds, trimming the trees and hedges, and working on the irrigation system. In addition to all of this work, Gord has taken great care of the gazebo that is placed in the middle of the garden. He has built the raised planters around the gazebo, regularly treats the wood base of the gazebo and takes it upon himself to sand and paint the monuments. There is much more work that goes on in the gardens during the summer, and Gord has acquired a crew of helpers. These helpers have the green thumbs that Gord maybe lacks, just kidding, Gord. The Town would like to recognize the volunteers that spend so many hours in the Millennium Garden planting, deadheading, weeding, etc: Carol & Kevin Fitzsimonds, Lori Kuntz, Bonnie Meier, Cheryl Graff and the River Hills Lions Club. Thank you all for your dedication and time.

One would think that the winter months are Gord’s time off, but he still finds work to be done in the garden. With his handy snowblower, Gord is making sure to clear all the pathways so everyone can access the garden to pay their respects at the War Memorial and enjoy the lights all around the garden, spreading Christmas cheer.

As you can see, over the past 24 years, Gord has played a pivotal role in ensuring we have a beautiful garden to enjoy. The Millennium Garden is a hidden gem in our Town, and it is because of Mr. Gord Stueck. Please take some time this coming year to visit the garden during each season. We know you will find something special.

Gordon concluded, “The award was unnecessary” since all contributions are done to help others rather than to win an award.