‘We are gathered here today to honor those individuals that elevate the Clarkston community and make it the great place it is to live. Simply, this is what Clarkston is all about.? ? Luc Poirier, Awards Committee Chairman.
Representatives from throughout the Clarkston area gathered on May 18 to honor those who ‘make Clarkston, Clarkston? at the 20th Annual Community Awards. The awards were a part of the 2005 Michigan Week celebrations.
The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, which was sponsored by Oxford Bank.
The awards breakfast kicked off at 8 a.m. with a breakfast buffet by Liberty Golf and Banquet.
The Community Awards Program is ‘designed to honor individuals, groups and businesses in the Clarkston Area who have given their time, energy and talents to better the community in which everyone lives, works, worships and attends school.?
Nominatioins were accepted in seven different categories. Congratulations to the following:
? Clarkston State Bank was honored with the Community Beautification Award. The company’s enhancement of the Main Street corridor, which includes their newest branch at the corner of Main and Citation Drive, complements their downtown branch and the historical flavor of the area. Clarkston State Bank removed a building from the 1950s and created a ‘beautiful? addition. Fred Ritter nominated the local business.
? The Community Enhancement Award was presented to the newly-formed Clarkston Area Lions Club. The club has moved aggressively to organize and begin supporting charity and community activities. Recently, the organization received full recognition from the International Lions Club, and continues to grow and thrive in membership.
In their brief time since establishment, the club has initiated local support for ‘Kidsight,? vision testing for small children; collected, reconditioned and distributed used eyeglasses and hearing aids; and ‘Lions Care,? assistance for local needy families. The Lions use 100 percent of all funds they receive to sponsor charity projects.
During his acceptance speech for the award, President Brace Case honored all area service organizations by having those members stand and be recognized.
‘These people are in the game,? he stated, ‘and we encourage everyone to join us.?
? The Community Collaboration Award went to a diverse group of individuals and organizations that formed the ‘Bridgewater Park Apartment Homework Club.? Groups participating in the project include Bridgewater Parks Apartments (Gary Lloyd), Clarkston Area Youth Assistance (Jeff Allsteadt), Independence Township Parks and Recreation (Kelly Hyer) and Clarkston Community Schools.
The Homework Club was introduced at the Bridgewater Park Apartments in May 2004. The program makes tutoring available at no charge to children who reside there and face academic difficulties and possible failure.
The club meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in a three-bedroom apartment made available by the apartment’s management. Volunteer coordinators Anita Demster and Joyce Bleim organize the program. Clarkston Community Schools provided on loan school room furniture and ‘at-risk? grant monies for supplies.
At this time, 22 students are enrolled in the program and 12 volunteer tutors address their needs.
Cassandra Goulding with CAYA nominated the club.
? Imagine this ? the winner of the Adult-Youth Volunteer Award was unable to accept her plaque because? she was off volunteering!
Joyce Bleim, chairperson of the CAYA Mentors Plus Program, was nominated by co-worker Goulding for her work with children in need of loving, caring and concerned adults in their lives.
In addition to chairing the Mentors Plus Program, Bleim is also the assistance chairperson for the Bridgewater Park Homework Club. Last summer, she was co-leader of a weekly drop-in summer program at Bridgewater Apartments. She is also a driver for Meals on Wheels, serves in the mission program through the United Methodist Church and coordinates the monthly food drive between the church and Lighthouse North.
Since Bleim was unable to attend the awards breakfast, her husband Jay and son Jeff accepted the award in her honor.
‘We’re very proud of her in our family,? said Jeff.
? There are so many active youths in the Clarkston community, selecting those for the Young Woman and Man of the Year Awards is always a challenge.
This year’s recipients for the Women’s Award is Clarkston High School seniors and twin sisters Katherine and Sarah Julian.
Not only have the Julian sisters demonstrated outstanding academic accomplishments, but also an extensive list of extracurricular activities both in and out of school. Their greatest love, though, is volunteering with K-9 Stray Rescue.
‘It’s so hard to find an organization that works with animals that will let you volunteer if you are not 18,? said Sarah. ‘We enjoy working with this group.?
Young Man of the Year Bryce Thompson is not an unheard of name in the CHS halls. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity soccer team. His musical gifts have led him to several performance groups and his passion for volunteering has taken him on adventures as far away as Brazil to build a school.
Katherine and Sarah will attend Albion College in the fall, while Bryce looks forward to pursuing degrees in ministry and music.
? Following in the footsteps of his wife, Kelly, Steve Hyer was honored with the privilege of being Citizen of the Year. Steve was nominated by Dr. Al Roberts for his dedication and willingness to serve.
‘Steve Hyer is a young man of many talents and boundless energy,? wrote Roberts in the nomination form. ‘He uses these attributes in a myriad of ways throughout our community.?
Just a few of the organizations Hyer belongs to include the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors), Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education (vice-president), Clarkston Area Youth Assistance, Clarkston Coalition for Youth, Clarkston Area Lions Club, Clarkston Local Business Network (past president), Clarkston Foundation and Independence Township Parks and Recreation (volunteer).
In addition to all this, Hyer mentors a youth through the CAYA program. In fact, Roberts describes in his nomination a time when Hyer traveled to another district to sit through a 3-hour middle school track meet and support the youngster.
‘Steve gives all activities his reliability, high energy and passion to better serve our community,? concluded Roberts. ‘If this doesn’t describe a Citizen of the Year, I don’t know what does.?
? There was no award more highly debated among the Community Awards Committee than that of Business Person of the Year.
However, if local businessman Fred Ritter is to be believed by his introduction at the breakfast, Tom Lowrie used his amazing ability in psychokinesis to raise the arms around the table and win the final vote.
Lowrie, owner of Lowrie’s Landscaping on Dixie Highway, has been an active and successful in the Clarkston community since 1979, recently celebrating its 25th year in business.
Aside from his many volunteer activities and service organizations, Lowrie is also one of those ‘unsung heroes? that often work ‘behind the scenes.? As a business owner, Lowrie rarely seeks recognition or advertising for the many, many donations of time, materials and workers his company makes.
The most recent example of Lowrie’s generosity is the principal role his company played in the labor and landscaping of the Clintonwood Spraypark. Another ‘little known? fact is his donation of his barn for the building of parade floats of year.