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MOOSOMIN — Moosomin’s Alice Abrahamson was one of 21 residents of the Souris-Moose Mountain riding to receive a King Charles III Coronation Medal in Stoughton on Feb. 1.

It began with an email in her inbox from MP Dr. Robert Kitchen’s office. Initially assuming the message was a hoax, Abrahamson decided to put off looking into the email at first. 

“Then a few days into the next week, my two friends came over, and we’re reading what they had sent in,” she explained of a nomination letter from Laurel St. Onge and Pansy Taylor that outlined Abrahamson’s volunteer involvement over the years and explained why she would be a good candidate for the honour.

“I’m not one who cares to be out in the public, I would rather be behind the scenes,” explained Abrahamson of her reaction to learning of the award. “I was a little nervous about the thought of it, but once we got there, I wasn’t nervous at all.”

The medal itself is presented to people that have made a significant contribution to Canada, their province, their community or an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

“This is an opportunity to recognize and thank those who selflessly give their time and energy to make their communities better, and I am truly honoured to have a chance to highlight these individuals who have been nominated by their peers to receive this medal,” said Dr. Kitchen during the event.

“I extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to all of the medal recipients for their service to our country, to Saskatchewan and their communities. Their efforts and achievements deserve to be celebrated as they make this country a better place, now and into the future.”

A highlight for Abrahamson during the event was to hear about the backgrounds of other recipients from around the southeast.

“It was a nice presentation, and to hear all the other awards, it would be nice to have seen a printout of what other people had done because there’s so much that goes on as each one is talked about that you don’t necessarily remember it all,” she said. “Lots of Legionnaires, which was quite impressive.”

Created to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023, a total of 30,000 medals will be awarded to deserving individuals.

Longtime volunteer

Abrahamson is humble when it comes to recounting the many causes she’s been a part of in Moosomin over the years. Abrahamson recalled the first project in Moosomin she became involved with after moving to Moosomin in 1976 from Weyburn. 

“Probably the first one would have been with the committee that worked to put the supplies for the kitchen in at the rink,” she said. “When the rink was built, I remember helping. They did fundraising; when I was going through some stuff a few months ago, I discovered a copy of a donation sheet, and I thought I should really take it to the museum because they might find that interesting how we went around to collect funds.”

Music has always been a large part of Abrahamson’s life, highlighted by her involvement in the Moosomin School Band Association, the Christmas Carol Festival, being a member of the Moosomin Community Choir, and having performed in every production put on by Creative Visions. 

Abrahamson has also been involved in the Moosomin and District Arts Council, the Library Board, Communities in Bloom and Age-Friendly Moosomin, helping make a difference in the lives of people spanning generations.

“It’s rewarding in many ways,” Abrahamson says of volunteering. “You know, the people you work with, wherever you’re volunteering, it’s good to see people enjoying what you are putting on. Regardless of whether you’re making coffee at Age-Friendly, or whether you’re at the Armoury doing something, it’s good to be there and meet people and get them involved if you can.”

Her simple advice to anyone considering becoming a volunteer is ‘Don’t hesitate!’

Always room for more

For over 30 years, Abrahamson has been an active member of the Moosomin and District Music Festival Association. When the World-Spectator called her for an interview, Abrahamson was busy preparing for this year’s upcoming music festival taking place at the end of March.

“We are busy working on the program, and the teachers are busy doing their practising with students,” she said. “We start out with piano for two days—or five sessions—and then vocal speech arts, musical theatre is the other two days. So it’s a very busy time.”

Festival numbers have decreased over previous years, but Abrahamson is steadfast in the ideal ‘we just have to keep encouraging kids.’

“We used to have three or four days of piano and then three or four days of vocal speech arts, musical theatre the next week, but with kids being involved in other activities, there aren’t as many doing piano these days,” she said.

Other volunteer efforts Abrahamson stays involved with include her church and the Preservation of the Moosomin Armoury.

She says there is always a need for more volunteers in the community.

“I think there’s still a need,” she said. “It’s good for kids to learn to volunteer to start, and certainly adults, because you can always use them and as you get older, it connects you with the generation below you.”