As the name suggests, the 2023 Celebration Of Excellence highlighted the important and impressive achievements of the community in business, tourism, athletics leadership and citizenship.
The Celebration of Excellence Gala went on Thursday, June 8 at the Badlands Community Facility, and is supported by the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, The Drumheller Rotary Club, Travel Drumheller and the Town of Drumheller.
Corrine Gerling was named the Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year. As a retired teacher, Gerling is an avid volunteer supporting many projects in the valley and often lending her green thumb where needed. She was gracious in her acceptance, noting the many people she brings along when she volunteers are also deserving of credit.
Larry Coney was a finalist for the award. He is also an avid volunteer supporting the Drumheller Legion, the Salvation Army and other community organizations.

The Most Courteous Employee Award was given to Sunny Rawat of ATB; the runner-up was Gerry Radke of Riverside Value Drug Mart.
The Rotary Male Athlete of the Year was Tiegan Sattler and the Female Athlete of the Year was Fynlee Hunter.
The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce presented their Business Excellence awards.
The Business Professional of the Year was Thyra Smith of the Napier Theatre. Finalists included Greg Manca of McDonald’s and Marina Paarup of MH Enterprises.
The Community Builder Award went to the Napier Theatre. Finalist were the Drumheller Public Librabry and MH Enterprises.
The Employer of Choice Award went to Reality Bytes Inc, which has also recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Finalists included Atlas Coal Mine and Riverside Value Drug Mart.
The Most Promising Business went to Heller Good Sandwiches. Finalists included Bikes and Bites and Poor Sisters Market.
The Small Business of the Year was awarded to Valley Brewers. It was an exciting week for the company as it just won a national award for one of its flagship brews.
The Large Business of the Year went to Riverside Value Drug Mart. Runners-up were Freson Bros and Badlands Amphitheatre.
Travel Drumheller also presented their awards.
The Badlands Amphitheatre was the recipient of the Tourism Excellence Award. Finalists were the Atlas Coal Mine and Bikes and Bites.
The Tourism Hospitality Award was presented to Sherryl McBride. She has been at the Tourism Information Centre since 2019.
The Drumheller Valley FCSS Awards were also presented.
The Youth Leaders of Tomorrow for Junior High were presented to Alivia Gerlinger and Ethan Baldwin.
The Senior High Youth Leaders of Tomorrow were Ava Groves, Ethan Bacual and Shaylen Farewell.

Drumheller RCMP are investigating and asking the public’s assistance after a number of intentional fires were reported within rural areas of Starland County surrounding the Town of Drumheller.
On Tuesday, June 13 at 2:43 p.m., Drumheller RCMP received reports of an individual intentionally setting fires in the ditches along Highway 9 at six different locations, including Range Road 172, 180, 191, 200, Highway 849, and on Highway 56 south of the Village of Munson.
Fortunately, emergency services were successful in putting out all fires.
Witnesses describe a suspect as:
male
wearing blue coveralls and carrying a jerry can
possibly associated with a blue or grey 1 ton pick up.
Drumheller RCMP are asking the public for assistance. Motorists who were in the area from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. are asked to check their dash cameras and report anything suspicious.
If you have any information about this crime or those responsible you are asked to contact the Drumheller RCMP at 403-823-2630. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1‐800‐222‐8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions). To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.