By Larry Backus / Chronicle contributor
May 08, 2008 03:05 pm
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You may have heard about the Dimpled Globe Awards (DGA) banquet on Saturday, May 17, at the new Fairfield Glade Community Center. This is your invitation to be a part of this special evening. You are invited to make reservations by calling 707-7168. Reservations are $25 per person and $10 for children 10 and under.
The Dimpled Globes, as you may recall, are named each year to honor residents of Cumberland County for outstanding achievement in benefiting their community with personal leadership and character. There are six categories of awards, each representing a particular characteristic of the award winners. The honorees are as follows:
The Straight Shooter Award is given to honorees for their consistently non-politically correct and candid approach to benefiting their fellow residents. Betty Bryan of Betty’s Bed and Breakfast won this award in 2005 and you will be delighted to hear why at the DGA banquet. In 2006, Bryan received recognition for Lifetime Achievement in this award. For 2006, Dr. Patricia Neal Ragsdale, former Cumberland County director of schools, garnered the award and she will attend the banquet when she visits our community from Alabama. In 2007 the winner is Beverly Pitts. Friends from as far away as Connecticut are coming to hear about Bev Pitts and her contributions to our community.
The Ablest Administrator Award recognizes administrative talent. In 2005 there were three honorees, Dr. David Prigg, president of the Community Club Board of Fairfield Glade; Nancy Hamm, president of the Fairfield Glade Art Guild; and Art Meharg, chairman of the Glade Government Liaison Committee. Who would miss a chance to roast and toast these three talented administrators? In 2006 the leadership of the Continuing Care Retirement Committee Task Force (CCRC) was honored for the successful work of this important committee that is bringing a new continuing care community to Cumberland County. Kyle Morrison, chairman, and Bob Sharp, chairman of the financial campaign, will represent the committee as honorees. Pastor Max Mayo of the Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church will speak on behalf of the committee. In 2007 Fred and Diane Mundt won the award. Their story is compelling and uplifting and Bill Williams, former newscaster of Knoxville’s WBIR, Channel 10 and the Monday’s Child program, will speak on their behalf.
The Retiree of the Year Award was awarded to John Mast in 2005 when he retired from contracting after building 45 impressive homes in Fairfield Glade. This busy retiree continues to be a pastor and bishop of the Mennonite church and operates a large farm. Jan Baas, Brenda Hinch, and Carol Radtke were named retirees of the year in 2006. These busy ladies combine an active hostess schedule with many charitable activities. Larry and June Frazier were named Retirees of the Year in 2007. Active participants in many charitable activities for many years, this exceptional couple is always reaching out to help others. They epitomize the contributions of many retirees in Cumberland County.
The initial Community Communicator Award was won by Dan Schlafer in 2006. A member of the Cumberland County and Tennessee Board of Education, Schlafer is also a columnist for the Glade Sun and a stanch supporter of education. This witty and dedicated educator will be roasted and toasted by his friend, also a witty and dedicated educator, Rob Safdie. The winner of the 2007 Community Communicator Award was an easy selection last December. Her efforts to make a new Cumberland County Art Circle Library a reality had been monumental and successful. County Mayor Brock Hill knows the story of her efforts and the dedication she brought to the task. He will speak on behalf of our 2007 honoree, Carol Darling.
In 2006 the first winners of the Community Spirit Award were a musical trio of great talent. Emily Byrens and Jack Bittle had been directors of the Cumberland County Chorus as well as many other church and community musical activities. Kathy Price Snow was the youngest of the trio and by now you know how successful and talented she is as director of the Cumberland County High School Advanced Choir. In 2007 a returning prodigy, Tonya Hinch, brought executive talent, charm, and a dedication to revive Downtown Crossville. President of Downtown Crossville Inc. (DCI) and the Crossville Arts Council, Frances Carson will be on hand to roast and toast both Tonya and her mother Brenda, who had been named in 2006 as a Retiree of the Year.
Last but far from least is the Gumption Award won by artist Katie Smith in 2005. In 2006 Smith and fellow honoree Billy Frazier were two of only three honorees to be named Lifetime Recipients of a Dimpled Globe Award. Frazier has fought juvenile diabetes since age 11 with enormous courage and faith. Smith survived a near fatal stroke at age 15 and has overcome all obstacles to become a successful artist. Their stories will inspire you and make you realize what great neighbors you have in Cumberland County. In 2007 the Gumption Award honored Pat Filsinger and Earle Phillips as representative of widows and widowers throughout Cumberland County who continue to be active in contributing to our community.
The Dimpled Globe Awards (DGA) is a unique and very special event. Miss it and you will be sorry you did! Be there and you will be glad you were!
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