Some people choose a town—others become its biggest champions.

For Ethel (Kelly) Pollak, the Ms. Mudcat Ambassador Experience is about joy, connection, and celebrating a place she feels deeply connected to. While she lives just outside of Dunnville, it’s a community she returns to again and again—often two to three times a week—showing up, volunteering, and fully embracing everything it has to offer. In many ways, Dunnville feels like a second home.

Ask her about Dunnville, and she won’t just tell you it’s a great place—she’ll tell you why you should visit, why it matters, and why it’s worth experiencing for yourself. Her love for the community is undeniable—and contagious.

Ethel brings an energy that is impossible to miss. Whether she’s volunteering at Chamber events or supporting the Mudcat Entertainment Centre, she shows up fully—ready to connect, contribute, and make every moment count. She doesn’t just attend events—she becomes part of them.

And if there’s music? You’ll find her dancing.

From live bands at her favourite bowling alley to spontaneous moments in the streets of Portugal and Hungary, Ethel has a way of pulling people in—literally. She invites others to join her, to let loose, to laugh, and to be part of something fun and freeing. It’s more than dancing—it’s her way of bringing people together.

Ethel’s story, however, goes far beyond the dance floor. She has lived a full and vibrant life—one rooted in family, resilience, and creativity. A devoted mom, a wife who has experienced both love and loss, and a woman who continues to embrace life with strength and grace, she brings depth to every room she enters. Professionally, she has worn many hats—from real estate to interior design—and has built a reputation for her talent in floral arrangements, earning recognition and even being featured in Better Homes & Gardens. At one time, she was also known as a Sunshine Girl, adding yet another layer to a life rich with experience, confidence, and evolution. Through it all, she has remained curious, adventurous, and open to the world—travelling, exploring, and bringing those experiences back with her.

But beyond her accomplishments, it’s her connection with people that stands out most.

There’s a natural openness about Ethel that invites others in. People feel comfortable around her. They talk to her. They trust her. And in those moments, she listens, she supports, and she has a way of making people feel just a little lighter than when they arrived. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about being someone others can turn to, someone who genuinely cares.

She lives by a simple but powerful belief: lead with kindness, treat people with respect, and remember that everyone carries a story you may not see. It’s a mindset that shapes how she moves through the world—and how she shows up for others.

At the same time, her message to women is bold and freeing: believe in yourself, trust who you are, and don’t let the opinions of others hold you back. There’s a confidence in her spirit that encourages others to stand a little taller and live a little more fully.

Her passion for community also shows in the causes she now champions—rooted in a moment that changed everything. During a volunteer appreciation event this past December, Ethel experienced a sudden medical emergency in front of friends. In those critical moments, quick action made all the difference. With CPR performed by those nearby, followed by the response of firefighters, paramedics, and the care team at Dunnville Hospital, her life was saved.

It’s an experience she doesn’t take lightly.

Today, Ethel is turning that moment into purpose—raising awareness and funds for a life-saving initiative to bring an AED on-site at the local bowling alley. Her message is simple, but powerful: having an AED available could mean the difference between life and loss. It’s a reflection of who she is—someone who takes what life gives her and finds a way to give back, making her community safer and stronger for everyone.

Ms. Mudcat Ambassador Experience

The Ms. Mudcat Ambassador Experience is a modern reimagining of a cherished Dunnville tradition—one that celebrates the strength, spirit, and stories of women in our community. It is no longer about a title or a moment on stage, but about the impact these women have in their everyday lives.

This experience brings together women of all ages and backgrounds who are showing up, giving back, and helping shape the future of Dunnville. It recognizes leadership in its many forms—through community involvement, personal growth, mentorship, and the quiet ways women support and uplift one another.

At its heart, Ms. Mudcat is about connection over competition. It’s about adjusting each other’s crowns, sharing experiences, and creating a space where women are celebrated not just for how they present themselves, but for who they are and how they contribute.

As we bring this tradition back with a modern lens, the Ms. Mudcat Ambassador Experience stands as a reflection of today’s woman—strong, compassionate, resilient, and deeply rooted in community.