The Rotary Club of Waterdown hosted its 2025 Paul Harris Awards ceremony Oct. 27 at West Avenue Cider House, where six people were recognized for outstanding service to the community.
This year's recipients were:
Sophie Tidridge - Youth Recipient
The Grade 11 student was recognized for her activities at Waterdown District High School and as a member of Burlington Student Theatre. Sophie is involved in social awareness activities and Student Parliament, and is directing this year's student production of MacBeth; as a member of the SOLID group, she organized activities for local Grade 3 students and helped plant 400 trees this fall at Courtcliffe Park. She also does a lot of work to support Indigenous Treaty Rights, Environmental Stewardship and the arts at WDHS. With Burlington Student Theatre, she has been part of 26 performances, including the lead in Evita last spring. In addition to performing, she volunteers backstage and at multiple BST community events. She plans to pursue Theatre Arts in university.
Bruce Treacy
Bruce honoured for his longstanding work to maintain Rotary Garden Court, where he has volunteered countless hours not only on regular upkeep, but also to upgrade the units as needed. Treacy's dedication as a Ribfest volunteer was also highlighted, as he works tirelessly each year as part of the waste management crew to ensure the park stays clean during the four-day event.
Miklos Kanalas
The owner of the Waterdown Fortinos goes above and beyond in his support of the community, noted club member Michael Collette, who presented Kanalas with his Paul Harris Award. Kanalas regularly contributes to local organizations and fundraisers, and supports Ribfest each year with donations as well as by hosting a Ribfest Day at the store, among other things.
Nick Brown
Nick is a multiple Paul Harris Award recipient. He received the honour this year for his dedication to leading the Ribfest Steering Committee as co-chair over the past two years - an endeavour that requires not only long hours in the park during the festival, but also countless meetings and duties throughout the year. Nick was also the longtime chair of the club's fundraising committee and continues to oversee the annual golf tournament and trivia night events. He is also the chair of Rotary Garden Court.
Jeff Partridge
When Jeff joined Rotary last year, he brought with him a long tradition of service in the community, as a coach with Wentworth Minor Football, as a longtime member of the Carlisle Optimist Club, and as an active volunteer with Grace Anglican Church and Food With Grace food bank. His Rotary club involvement includes organizing and running a successful Youth Bike Rodeo and working with the Youth Service Committee and WDHS’s woodworking programs.
Brenda Jefferies
Brenda was recognized with a Paul Harris this year for her term as president of the club last year, as well her ongoing involvement with the Public Image committee and chairing the public relations committee for several years for Ribfest.