Archie and Eleanor Wiersema receive the prestigious Bill Gibson Award

Ken Johnston
Editor

Two long time and well known Rainy River citizens were honoured two Friday’s ago at the annual Rainy River Federation of Agriculture’s spring banquet in Barwick.
Archie and Eleanor Wiersema of Rainy River were the recipients of the Bill Gibson Award, presented annually to members of the district agricultural community for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
Linda Armstrong and Donna Gibson made the presentation after giving an outline of the long list of volunteer work the couple have been involved with over the past 20+ years.
Eleanor has served as a long time leader of 4–H clubs ranging from sewing and cooking to beef. Both her and Archie were recognized last year for their many years of contribution to 4–H.
She has also been a member of Women’s Institute for decades and has served in various capacities which included teaching quilting. She is still active with W.I.
Eleanor presently is employed as a teacher’s aide with the Rainy River District Board of Education.
Archie, now a retired railroader, fills his time farming cattle and continues to serve on various agricultural boards. He is presently a provincial director for the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association. He has also served as member of the local board with the RRCA over the years. He also served as a director on the RR Hereford Association.
The couple have been long time members of the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture (20 years) and have hosted many functions at their farm just east of Rainy River. Barbecues at the farm as well as field tours have been some of the highlights. Their children also have followed their example and raised cattle and showed them successfully at the Emo fair.
Outside the ag. sector, Archie served as a municipal council in a rural municipality from 1966 to 1997. He also serves as an occasional pastor at their church in Emo. Archie also has helped organize railway retirement parties for years.
The pair graciously accepted the award from Armstrong and Gibson.