Article appeared in the Jul. 28 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
On Jul. 22, the first day of the Arborg Fair and Rodeo, Joy Gislason of Arborg was honoured for 48 years of dedication and service at horse shows, and with the Arborg Fair and Rodeo. She recently retired from her role as announcer of the rodeo events; however, she will continue to be on the horse show and rodeo committees and plans to dedicate future years to the horse sale, which was held for the first time this year at the Arborg Fair and Rodeo.
Gislason got her start at age 12, when her father started the Arborg Bifrost horse show, just so his daughter would have a place to show her horses. That was 48 years ago. Since that time, Gislason has remained involved with horse shows, eventually becoming a member of the Arborg Rodeo when it was formed. She dedicated herself for all these years, volunteering her time on the board, and in many other capacities, and as an announcer at horse events.
RM of Bifrost Reeve, Harold Foster, who has a long family history with the rodeo, along with his wife Olga, lifetime member of the Arborg Agricultural Society, presented Gislason with a gift and bouquet of flowers, in recognition of her contributions.
“It’s a great pleasure to present you with this, and congratulations,” Foster said.
Fellow volunteers hoped to surprise Gislason with the gift and flowers, but the surprise was almost ruined. To keep it a secret friends hid the gift and bouquet in a nearby garbage can. As it happened, Gislason had some garbage to deposit in the can when she took her break from announcing.
“Look there are flowers in here,” she said. Her friend nonchalantly replied, “Oh, someone threw them away.” Apparently, the explanation satisfied Gislason. When she was later asked what went through her mind when she saw the flowers, Gislason replied, “I thought that somebody’s boyfriend had given her flowers, and she was mad at him and threw the flowers away.”
“I’m really surprised and touched that they thought of me,” Gislason said later.
