Advertisement 1

Brooks: Top 7 Over 70 feted for long list of accomplishments

Article content

We were taught as youngsters to respect our elders. Many Asian cultures go farther than that and revere their elders.

How wonderful then there is an awards ceremony honouring individuals over 70 years of age who, rather than retire, rewire and refire. The Top 7 Over 70 Awards Gala, held May 26 at the Hyatt Regency, saluted seven dynamic people for the unparalleled value, expertise and wisdom they bring to our community. The third 2021 biennial award, founded by legendary Jim Gray, was a great success attended by more than 650 guests. Funds raised at the gala will support InterGen, an organization that provides talent, mentors, education and capital for new entrepreneurial companies.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content
Article content

Heartfelt congratulations to this year’s winners: Don Taylor; Marg Southern; Louis B. Hobson; Miiksika’am (Clarence Wolfleg); Bonnie Kaplan; Sherali Saju; and Murray McCann. Their amazing stories will be permanently honoured at the recently announced Top 7 Over 70 display at Heritage Park.

Family, friends, colleagues, committee members, dignitaries and past winners in attendance included: Alberta Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani; Alberta Minister of Seniors and Housing Josephine Pon; Kim McConnell, Top 7 Over 70 executive committee chair; vice-chair, Calgary Herald managing editor Monica Zurowski; University of Saskatchewan vice-president, Cheryl Hamelin; Brian and Stephanie Felesky; ATCO chair and CEO Nancy Southern; actor and director Mark Bellamy; Bennett Jones’ Wayne Whitlock and his wife, UNICEF’s Penny Whitlock; Surecall president and CEO Desiree Bombenon; John Lacey and Linda McNally; Bob Brawn; John Fitzsimmons; Steve Allan and his wife Marjie Allan; Bonnie DuPont; Bev Foy; Marg Davenport; retired Herald columnist Licia Corbella of Corbella Communications and her husband Stephen Gardiner; Pat Moore; Kathy Hays; Mount Royal University Foundation executive director Terry Kellam; Carol McCann; Richard Conte; Ruth Taylor; Dolly Saju; Colleen Sitting Eagle; Kelly Koss-Brix; Herald colleagues Michele Jarvie, Eric Volmers, Paul Harvey; and others pictured.

From all your friends at the Herald, thank you honourees for making the world a better place. And keep doing what you’re doing.

Alberta Minister of Seniors and Housing Josephine Pon was one of the more than 650 guests at the Top 7 Over 70 gala. The biennial awards honour individuals who have made significant contributions after the age of 70.
Alberta Minister of Seniors and Housing Josephine Pon was one of the more than 650 guests at the Top 7 Over 70 gala. The biennial awards honour individuals who have made significant contributions after the age of 70. jpg

Honouree Sherali Saju and his wife Dolly at this year’s gala. The extraordinary entrepreneur gives generously to ensure Calgary is a welcoming city for all.
Honouree Sherali Saju and his wife Dolly at this year’s gala. The extraordinary entrepreneur gives generously to ensure Calgary is a welcoming city for all. jpg

Top 7 Over 70 honouree Miiksika’am (Clarence Wolfleg) is pictured with this sister Colleen Sitting Eagle at this year’s awards gala on May 26. at the Hyatt Regency. As a spiritual elder, Miiksika’am shares his wisdom with non-Indigenous Albertans and Canadians through his blessings and teachings.
Top 7 Over 70 honouree Miiksika’am (Clarence Wolfleg) is pictured with this sister Colleen Sitting Eagle at this year’s awards gala on May 26. at the Hyatt Regency. As a spiritual elder, Miiksika’am shares his wisdom with non-Indigenous Albertans and Canadians through his blessings and teachings. jpg

Don Taylor is recognized as one of Calgary’s most notable philanthropists, donating millions of dollars to charitable organizations. A Top 7 Over 70 award recipient, he is pictured with his wife Ruth Taylor.
Don Taylor is recognized as one of Calgary’s most notable philanthropists, donating millions of dollars to charitable organizations. A Top 7 Over 70 award recipient, he is pictured with his wife Ruth Taylor. jpg

“Retirement was never in the Southerns’ vocabulary,” noted honouree Marg Southern, pictured with her granddaughter Kelly Koss-Brix at the Top 7 Over 70 gala. Spruce Meadows, Cavalry FC and more owe their success to the tireless Southern.
“Retirement was never in the Southerns’ vocabulary,” noted honouree Marg Southern, pictured with her granddaughter Kelly Koss-Brix at the Top 7 Over 70 gala. Spruce Meadows, Cavalry FC and more owe their success to the tireless Southern. jpg

Researcher, author and community volunteer, Bonnie Kaplan can now add Top 7 Over 7 honouree to her list of accolades. Pictured with Kaplan is Richard Conte.
Researcher, author and community volunteer, Bonnie Kaplan can now add Top 7 Over 7 honouree to her list of accolades. Pictured with Kaplan is Richard Conte. jpg

Readers will recognize this Top 7 Over 70 honouree. Louis B. Hobson is the pre-eminent voice when it comes to reviewing theatre and film in the city. Further, he has written and directed numerous plays.
Readers will recognize this Top 7 Over 70 honouree. Louis B. Hobson is the pre-eminent voice when it comes to reviewing theatre and film in the city. Further, he has written and directed numerous plays. jpg

Field of Crosses co-founder and The Homes for Heroes Villages creator Murray McCann was a befitting Top 7 Over 70 honouree at this year’s gala. Pictured with the tireless philanthropist is his wife Carol.
Field of Crosses co-founder and The Homes for Heroes Villages creator Murray McCann was a befitting Top 7 Over 70 honouree at this year’s gala. Pictured with the tireless philanthropist is his wife Carol. jpg

Top 7 Over 70 executive committee chair Kim McConnell has reason to smile. This year’s awards gala was a great success.
Top 7 Over 70 executive committee chair Kim McConnell has reason to smile. This year’s awards gala was a great success. jpg

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers