Woo-hoo Sandra Houston!

Sandra Houston's half-century of voluntarism and leadership in Sault Ste. Marie's arts community was recognized tonight with the 2018 Community Recognition Award for Performing Arts.

The award was presented to Houston by Mayor Christian Provenzano at tonight's City Council meeting.

Winners are chosen annually by the city's cultural advisory board.

"I just want to say to all the seniors out there, I started working at the Arts Council when I was 60 years old," Houston said during her acceptance speech.

"At 70 years old, I became a priest in our church. I have been working in the community for 50 years. Seniors: please get out, help, volunteer. Wherever you are, whatever you like. Just get out there and do it and get busy."

Houston was awarded Sault Ste. Marie's Medal of Merit in 2013 and the Leading Women Building Communities Award in 2015.

Organizations that have benefited from Houston's involvement include:

• Quonta Regional Drama Festival (past chair)
• Theatre Ontario (board of directors)
• Pull Chain Theatre (joint founder)
• Over the Rainbow Children's Entertainment Series
• Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District (executive director (2007-2013)
• Sault Theatre Workshop
• Algoma Film Society
• Sault Community Theatre Centre
• Soo Zombie Walk
• Art in the Parking Lot