The ceremony read like a who's who of the movers and shakers, both past and present, of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
There was former Pitt Meadows mayor Don MacLean, former candidate for mayor John Becker, 2008 Maple Ridge Citizen of the Year Margaret Kury and Maple Ridge Country Fest and Christmas hamper saviour Lorraine Bates, not to forget stream steward Dave Smith, who's also saved and created kilometres of horse trails while Maple Ridge transforms into a modern suburb.
But those were just a handful of the dedicated people in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows recognized Wednesday at the Meadow Gardens Golf Club.
In all, Maple Ridge MP Randy Kamp bestowed 17 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to people who've helped build the area.
The medals celebrate the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.
The Governor General of Canada administered the program and alotted 60,000 of the medals across the country.
Others recognized Wednesday for their "dedication and exceptional service to the community" were Carole Kubb, who was Pitt Meadows Citizen of the Year Award in 1999 and the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. This year's Pitt Meadows Citizen of the Year Dolores Lutner also received a medal, as did "Mr. MC" Fred Armstrong, realtor Ron Antalek (who received the 2012 BC Community Achievement Award), Pastor Ed Bradley, Daryl Stone, who is president of the Sunshine Foundation Dreams for Kids and former Citizne of the Year and school trustee Kathy Marshall.
Also receiving the medals were health fundraiser Miranda Tymoschuk, Bob Thompson, 2009 Citizen of the Year, Girl Guides volunteer Melanie Kerr, and long-time McDonald's employee Karen Venables.
NDP MLA Michael Sather also previously awarded medals to Val Patenaude, director of the Maple Ridge Museum, for her work preserving historical records and Maple Ridge heritage.
Gregory Scofield, a Metis poet and author also received a medal, as did former Maple Ridge councillor and "longtime chief organizer of the Terry Fox Run" Betty Levens, now chair of the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society.
Another former Maple Ridge councillor Bernice Gehring, and chair of the Haney Farmers Market Society, received the award for her volunteering and efforts at preserving the Billy Miner Pub.
MLA Marc Dalton has yet to present medals to his consituents in Maple Ridge but points out the recognition is significant. The last diamond jubilee was in 1897 during Queen Victoria's reign.
"Some of these people are very deserving."