The Shadow
On March 9, 20204, the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism held their 45th annual dinner meeting to recognize dozens of nominees for their various acts of community service in 2023 and name winners of those awards. The event which locals look forward to every year was held at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.
Kathleen All, former Chamber President and this year’s emcee (master of ceremonies), kicked off the event by naming three special guests from the Virginia Tourism Corporation: President Rita McClenny, Becky Nave, and Katie Conner. The Chamber’s diamond sponsors of the event were recognized: Garten Trucking, Highlands Community Bank, Jackson River Community Credit Union, and Smooth Ambler Spirits. Finally, a number of elected officials were present and recognized for their support of the event. Representatives included those from Alleghany County, the City of Covington, and the Town of Clifton Forge.
Tommy Garten was also recognized for his years of service to the community in the wake of his passing. A special plaque presentation was held in his honor and given to his sons, Matt and Dizzy Garten.
Afterwards, dinner kicked off prior to the awards ceremony. Nearly an hour later, the highly anticipated moment had arrived. It was time to begin honoring this year’s nominees and winners of several awards, acknowledging members of the community for their service to their hometown.
“The school year has been monumental for the Alleghany Highlands Public School System,” Kathleen All said. “The hard work, commitment and dedication of so many have made this merger happen.” All then went on to address the AHPS further and the impact that everyone has on our children from bus drivers to teachers to cafeteria workers.
The first series of awards was for the “Educators of the Year.” The first category was the “School Service Personnel Award.” The nominees were: Eddie Smith of Alleghany High School, Paula Thurston of Covington Middle School, Melody Weese of Jackson River Technical Center (JRTC), Brooke Allman of Callaghan Elementary School, Lora Downey of Jeter Watson Elementary School, Teresa Vess of Mountain View Elementary School, and Ernest Jones of Sharon Elementary School. This year’s winner was Teresa Vess.
The next category in the “Educators of the Year” award series was for “Teacher of the Year.” Nominees were: Robbie Wood of Alleghany High School, Debbie Rusmisel of Covington Middle School, Jamie Huffman of Jackson River Technical Center, Gina Middelton of Callaghan Elementary School, Tracy Miller of Jeter Watson Elementary School, Howard Nicely of Mountain View Elementary School, and Jill Smith of Sharon Elementary School. The winner was Tracy Miller.
Up next was “Teacher of the Year” for Boys Home. “The Educator of the Year for Boys Home has 9 years of educational experience,” Kathleen All said. “She works to develop creative and critical thinking skills among youth. She leads by example to model respect, discipline, motivation, trust, compassion, and empathy.” All then named Virginia Scott as this year’s “Teacher of the Year” for Boys Home.
“The ‘Educator of the Year’ for Mountain Gateway Community College [MGCC] has over 18 years of experience and currently serves as the Information Systems Technology (IST) Program Head. She brings a wealth of expertise in the field of education and information technology,” All said before presenting the award of “Educator of the Year” for MGCC to Tamra Lipscomb.
The Kiwanis Club of the Alleghany Highlands and Boys Home were then recognized for celebrating over 100 years of service to the community. While the Kiwanis Club began in 1923 —then known as the Kiwanis Club of Covington— before merging with the Kiwanis Club of Clifton Forge, Boys Home has been an organization serving our community for “well over a hundred years,” All said. Accepting on behalf of the Kiwanis was John Wilson while Chris Doyle accepted for the Boys Home.
Up next was the “Dogwood Award for Beautification.” Nominees were Buckhorne Country Store, Formals and Florals on Main, Family Tree-Ts, and the Alleghany Highlands YMCA. The winner was Formals and Florals on Main.
It was then time for the “Ruth Middleton Volunteer of the Year Award.” The nominees were: Ray Keen, Kristen Garten, Good News on Main, Nancy Moga, Boys Home of Virginia, Men of Mission, David Crosier, and Marian Paxton. The Ruth Middleton Award, sponsored by Highlands Community Bank, went to “a person who has volunteered hundreds of hours in the community,” All said. The winner was Ray Keen. In addition to earning a plaque, Highlands Community Bank donated $1,000 to the charity of Keen’s choice. In Keen’s absence, Tommy Slusser accepted the award on his behalf.
It was then time to present the award for “Website of the Year.” The nominees were: Alleghany Outdoors, West Winds Venue, Chapman Plumbing, Heating and AC, Fyvie Farms, Cliffview Restaurant and Golf Course, Cora Dance, Evergreen Inn, Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, Jack Masons, and The Old Parsonage House. The winner was The Evergreen Inn, designed by Laurie Fitzgerald.
Next was the award for “Business/Nonprofit of the Year.” Nominees were: Alleghany Highlands Community Services, Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, Alleghany Highlands YMCA, Alleghany Journal, Barnwood Blessings, Cliffview Golf Club, Inn, and Brewhouse, Jack Mason’s Tavern and Brewery, and the Omni Homestead Resort. The winner was Alleghany Highlands Community Services.
The final awards included “Small Business of the Year,” which was presented to Barnwood Blessings, “Business of the Year” presented to The Omni Homestead, a presentation to Teresa Hammond for her 16 years of service and who will be retiring as Chamber President effective April 1, and a plaque that was presented to Kathleen All from Chamber President, Lee Higginbotham.
See photos from the event on pages 8 and 9 of this edition. Photos by Carla Bowles.
