Knights call on Lois Arnesen to accept Citizen of the Year accolades
By Bruce Fuhr
It’s obvious to Lois Arnesen that there are a lot more worthy recipients of Nelson’s 2012 Citizen of the Year than, well, Lois Arnesen.
Not so fast “Mrs. A” says Knights of Columbus Citizen of the Year selection committee.
Leaving no stone unturned, the committee is sure the best candidate was selected by naming longtime Welcome Wagon hostess Lois Arnesen as the 2012 Knights of Columbus Citizen of the Year.
“I was sitting (living room) quietly reading when the phone rang,” the 85-year-old mother of three recently told The Nelson Daily.
“It was (Knights of Columbus) Bob Tremblay and he told me that I had been nominated as Citizen of the Year.”
“I think I might have said, “are you sure you have the right person”,’ Arnesen added with a chuckle.
Yes Lo, as her son John calls her, the Knights of Columbus have the right person.
Not only is Arnesen a born and raised Nelsonite that groomed three wonderful children right here in the Heritage City, but the grandmother of seven fits much of the selection committee criteria thanks to years of volunteering for many an organization, most notably the Welcome Wagon.
“I worked in the Welcome Wagon for 21 years with Edna Whitely and Francis Welwood and part of the program is to welcome new citizens to the city,” explained Arnesen, spending her youth on Third Street in Fairview with parents Bert and Jeanne Whimster.
“Part of the Welcome Wagon program is to welcome newcomers to Nelson. Edna, Francis and I felt we were ambassadors to tell them all the nice things about Nelson.
I just loved meeting the new people and telling them about Nelson and what wonderful things they could expect to find here and answer questions.”
After graduating from Nelson High School, Arnesen went off to obtain a degree at the University of B.C.
Arnesen worked away from Nelson for a few years before returning home to raise the family in beautiful Fairview.
“I’m so thrilled to raise a family in Nelson because it’s such a pleasant town,” Arnesen said.
“First of all it’s absolutely beautiful.”
“I feel Nelson is sort of a cosmopolitan as such,” Arnesen adds. “The city is very small with all sorts of amenities. It has lots of sports things available and all the arts and culture to choose from.
“I think we’re so lucky to live here and it’s a wonderful place to raise a family.”
Welcome Wagon was just one of many organizations Arnesen belongs to.
The University Women’s Club is another big part of her volunteer life as well as she’s a member of the United Church, Touchstones Museum, Overture Concert Society as well as West Kootenay Music Festival.
Arnesen joins the likes of last year’s winner Bruce Halstead, Alan Ramsden, Al Craft, her Welcome Wagon colleague Frances Welwood, inaugural winner in 1964 Helen Morris and 2011 winner Bill McDonnell as recipients of one of Nelson’s highest honours.
Despite the suggestion of better people that could have been selected, Arnesen will be honoured during the annual Citizen banquet Saturday, April 13 at the Catholic Community Centre. Tickets, $30 each, are on sale at Sonja’s China Cabinet until 4 p.m. April 10.
“As I have said many times, I’m not exceptional in the volunteer work that I’ve done . . . there are many, many people in this town who volunteer, which is fortunate for Nelson,” Arnesen said. “Many have done way more than I ever have. But I guess it’s a recognition of volunteers and for that I’m grateful.”
