SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — It was an award Paul M. Schurman was surprised to receive.
Schurman, who is the longtime master of ceremonies for the City of Summerside Canada Day celebrations, was presented with the C. Ross MacKenzie Canada Day Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to Canadian pride in the City of Summerside on Canada Day. Despite leading the ceremony, Schurman was surprised to hear his name announced.
“I had no idea (I was going to receive the award),” said Schurman, a two-time recipient of the award. “They did work the script accordingly. I was MC, and they couldn’t have it in the script.”
Schurman, a veteran broadcaster with Summerside-based Spud FM and host of the Sports Roundup talk show every Sunday morning, says he can’t remember how many years he has been behind the microphone for the city’s Canada Day celebrations.
“It’s just something that I do every year,” said Schurman. “Canada Day is a nice day, and this year’s Canada Day seemed to me, if it can be, more important than other years.
People just thinking about how important it is to live in the country we do.”