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News Advertiser
december 23, 2020
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
Big-Hearted Spirit of Ethel Albrecht Shines Through Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Ethel Albrecht has a heart of gold and her generosity has touched the lives of many people in the Two Hills area since she began volunteering nearly five decades ago. On December 12, her son Dave orchestrated a cavalcade of friends, neighbours, and fellow volunteers to drive by her Musidora area home to celebrate her 90th birthday. Twenty-five vehicles filled with approximately 50 wellwishers honked and cheered for this special lady who has made countless contributions to community groups, friends, and family members throughout her lifetime. Dave said her only comment at the time was, “You see this happen to people on the news, but you never expect it to happen to you.” He went on to say, “It was not until the next day when it had a chance to sink in, that she was truly overwhelmed by the turn out. I sat with her the next day while she went through all the cards she had received (we quarantined them for 24 hours as a precaution), and that is when a few tears Ethel as a young girl. of joy were shed. My moth(Dave Albrecht/Submitted Photo)
er is very modest and I do not believe she realizes the impact that she has had on her family, friends and community.” Ethel said she started her volunteer work in the early seventies when her four children were a bit older. That is when she joined the Morecambe Rural Electrification Association. She held the position of secretary-treasurer for 30 years. “They sold out to ATCO Electric in 2001.” It wasn’t long before people with other organizations got wind of the fact that Ethel had an educational background and experience in bookkeeping, and began recruiting her. “Somebody found out I did books before and they would say, Hey why don’t you join us here. They didn’t say right away they wanted me to be treasurer. They got me in there. You come to our meeting see how it’s like. I’d come to the meeting.
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Ethel with her late husband Philip during their 60th Wedding Anniversary along with their wedding picture. (Dave Albrecht/Submitted Photo)
Ethel Albrecht with some of her birthday gifts. (Dave Albrecht/Submitted Photo)
I liked to get out and be among people, and eventually the annual meeting came around and they were looking for a new executive. I’d get nominated and that was it. I never turned it down. My husband use to always say, “You always got your nose in the books.” She held the position of treasurer with the Two Hills United Church from 1985 until February of 2020. She started as treasurer with the Two Hills Seniors Centre in 1993 and currently holds that position. Ethel is also the treasurer of the Two Hills Swimming Pool Authority. She became treasurer in 1995. “I’m still treasurer even though it was recently torn down. We still have to finalize things.” She was proud to say, “The Two Hills & District Swimming Pool was the only swimming pool in Alberta run by a non-profit organization operated by volunteers, the rest were operated by municipalities.” While it was sad to have to demolish the facility, Ethel said it was always a struggle to raise money for the upkeep. “It did not generate enough revenue to pay for the expenses.” Funding for its operation was totally opposite of municipalities who pay for recreational facilities through taxation. Ethel is the current President of the Two Hills Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion No. 237. She has been a member of that organization since 1972. She is also a member of the Two
The procession of vehicles leaving Musidora. (Dave Albrecht/Submitted Photo)
Hills Hospital Auxiliary. She served as a director on the board of the Two Hills Family and Community Support Services for 20 years. “I just resigned last year and my son took my place.” Ethel said she was able to serve so many organizations at the same time because they were very flexible with their meeting dates. As to how she managed to fulfill her duties on the farm, job as an admitting clerk at the hospital, and raise her four children all at the same time is a mystery. When asked, How were you able to manage all of that? She replied: “I don’t know, it just kept me going. I managed somehow.” She admitted that it’s been hard to step down from some of her volunteer positions, but said it has been very gratifying to be able to do something for the community. Her advice, “Keep active and don’t be afraid to volunteer and help out where you can.”
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