Davies honoured with ‘Mr. Prince Edward’ award

Cherry Valley resident Janet Davies, 2016 winner of the memorial Phil Dodds Award in recognition of volunteer service to the community of the Athol, pictured under the photo of Phil Dodds in the town hall in Cherry Valley.

Cherry Valley resident Janet Davies has been named winner of this year’s Phil Dodds Volunteer Award.

“Janet has been a great asset to the Athol Recreation Committee for many years as secretary,” says Glen Wallis, chair of the committee. “Besides diligently keeping minutes and designing and printing our posters, she is responsible for getting the word out on our events through our local print media outlets.

“She has led many of our events and is always ready to lend a hand in supporting all our events. You will find her behind the bar or selling tickets, decorating or just making locals feel welcome with a her smile.”

The late Philip Dodds, nicknamed by those who knew him as ‘Mr. Prince Edward’, joined the Picton Gazette at the age of 18 as a reporter in 1924 and retired as the editor of the paper 42 years later. He was an active supporter of service clubs, events and organizations and is well-known for his promotions of the Picton Fair for more than 20 years.

He is also the editor of the book Athol, Stories of a Township and its People During the Past 132 Years. The book is an invaluable account of local Athol history available for all to read at the library in Picton. He is buried in the Cherry Valley cemetery.