2009 Medal of Merit winners announced

NEWS RELEASE

CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE

************************* SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (December 31) - The Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit Selection Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Medal of Merit.

This year’s winners are: Monsignor Bernard Burns [shown], The Comedics, and Harry Houston.

The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie established a committee in 1972 to award the Medal of Merit annually to persons or groups in recognition of outstanding achievement in the areas of athletics, culture or academics, or those who make outstanding contributions to the community.

The Medal of Merit Selection Committee consists of: Mayor John Rowswell, His Honour Justice John Kukurin, Mary Ellen Szadkowski, Sharon Graham, and Gene Nori.

The 2009 Medal of Merit awards will be presented at a civic ceremony in 2010.

************************* Monsignor Bernard Burns

Monsignor Bernard Burns became pastor of Precious Blood Cathedral in 1985 and, after 49 years in the priesthood, retired from active ministry on November 1, 2009.

He received the honourary title of Monsignor from Pope John Paul II in 2004.

Monsignor Burns was committed to the Church, his beliefs, and the people he served.

He had a reputation for setting a faithful example by living out the Gospel in his personal and spiritual life.

Burns could have retired from the priesthood at age 75, but asked permission of Bishop Plouffe to continue in the ministry, which he did for a further six years.

Monsignor Burns passed away on November 26, 2009.

Monsignor Bernard Burns receives the 2009 Medal of Merit posthumously in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community.

************************* The Comedics

The Comedics are well known locally for their irreverent repertoire and extraordinary fundraising efforts.

Local physicians Gene Turgeon, John Pearson, and Brian Shamess began performing together about fifteen years ago.

Former members also include: Lou Battel, Sharon Buehner, Tim Moody, Cheryl Turgeon, and Kevin Wacker. Today, the group is comprised of physicians: Gene Turgeon (lyrics and music), John Pearson (acoustic guitar), and Bob Maloney (acoustic and electric guitar); and community members: Mark Gough (electric guitar), Rob Askin (bass), and Fred Pelletier (percussion).

Rob Roch is responsible for lights and Mike Lacroix for sound.

The Comedics create lyrics to melodies of popular songs, satirizing medical issues and procedures, as well as current events.

Their zany and witty performances make them a crowd favourite.

Over the years, the Comedics have contributed to help local groups, including the Alzheimer Society, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Red Cross, Group Health Centre, Humane Society, Sault Symphony Orchestra, and SAH Foundation, raise more than $1.5 million.

The willingness of the Comedics to take part in so many community and charitable events without charge demonstrates their passion for improving the quality of life in Sault Ste. Marie.

The 2009 Medal of Merit is awarded to the Comedics in recognition of their outstanding contributions to this community.

Harry Houston

Harry Houston is a longstanding member of Sault Ste. Marie’s arts community, having volunteered in community theatre for over 40 years.

He has directed, acted, co-written scripts, and operated light and sound for many local theatre groups, including: Pull Chain Theatre, Stage North, Sault Opera Society, and the Sault Theatre Workshop.

A tireless promoter of the arts and culture in Sault Ste. Marie, Harry Houston has selflessly given of himself in many capacities to enrich the cultural fabric of this city.

Houston was instrumental in arranging for three local theatre companies to amalgamate their costumes into a single costume department at the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre.

He holds executive positions with both the Sault Theatre Workshop and QUONTA Drama Region (North East).

Harry Houston receives the 2009 Medal of Merit in recognition of his significant contributions to a standard of cultural excellence in the community.

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