The Shadow
Clifton Forge Main Street Inc. has recognized a business owner and two residents for their efforts to help the town promote a positive image.
Main Street presented Sally Putnam with its first Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism award, while Wanda Woodyard has been named Volunteer of the Year for 2019. The Store-front of the Year Award was presented to Misty Callahan, owner of the 42 Deli on Ridgeway Street.
Susan Hutchinson, CFMS vice president, presented Putnam with the award during a reception Tuesday morning at the Brian Center.
“We are proud to have such a great member and volunteer in Sally,” said Hutchison in presenting the award.
Sally was employed for 59 years with area hospitals, including the C&O Hospital, Emmett Memorial Hospital, Alleghany Regional Hospital and LewisGale Hospital Alleghany. She also served on the ARH and LGH-A Ministerial Association.
She served on the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board for 19 years, and well as on the board for the Clifton Forge Public Library. In addition, she was on the board of directors for First Citizens Bank’s Clifton Forge branch.
She has been active with the Clifton Forge School of the Arts and served as a volunteer for CFSOTA’s annual Kristkindlmarkt, and was also active with the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center and was a volunteer for the Historic Masonic Theatre.
Sally is a member of the Clifton Forge Woman’s Club and has served on the club’s Home Tour committee. In addition, she is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, League of Older Americans and the Red Hat Belles. She is a member of Central United Methodist Church where she has served on several committees, including the Pastor’s Parrish committee.
Additionally, she has assisted with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, as well as the community Health Fair.
Sally is a graduate of Clifton Forge High School. She received a bachelor’s in sociology and social work from Mary Baldwin College and a master’s in counseling from Virginia Tech.
In attendance for the presentation were Sally’s husband, Roy, and their two daughters, Christy Nichols and Deirdre Lee. Several family friends were also present.
“[This] totally was a surprise,” said Sally upon receiving the award, adding “my life … has allowed me to carry out my passion, which is helping others.”
Woodyard and Callahan received their awards Tuesday night during a Clifton Forge Town Council meeting. Callahan could not be present to receive her award due to a prior obligation.
In presenting the Volunteer of the Year Award, Hutchison said Woodyard “has generously given her time and talents to make Clifton Forge a better place to live.”
Woodyard is a longtime member of the Clifton Forge Woman’s Club and she serves on a committee that helps organize the club’s annual holiday home tour.
Woodyard also volunteers with several organizations, including the Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother, The Historic Masonic Theatre and the Clifton Forge School of the Arts. She is also very active at Central United Methodist Church. She has been known to provide care and food for countless residents in Clifton Forge.
“After doing all of these things that have been previously mentioned, she still finds time to help with Mountain Regional Hospice,” Hutchison said. “Clifton Forge Main Street is very honored to have Wanda as our Volunteer of the Year.”
In recognizing the 42 Deli as the Storefront of the Year, Hutchison said: “This building was once one of those empty storefronts that Main Street used to clean and decorate seasonally. We are pleased to see the exciting progress that 42 Deli has made there.” ———————————————————————————————————————-Clifton Forge Main Street, Inc., has presented awards to volunteers and businesses for their efforts to help promote a positive image for the town. A special presentation was held Tuesday morning at the Brian Center in Low Moor to honor Sally Putnam with the first Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism award. In the photo, Susan Hutchison, vice president of Clifton Forge Main Street, left, presents the award to Putnam. (Photo by Gavin Dressler)
