In recent years, Morrison Chamber of Commerce has concluded the January Networking Event and Annual Meeting by honoring candidates for the “Citizen of the Year” award. Individuals or groups are nominated by the public; the criteria are rigorous. The Chamber Board’s Annual Meeting Committee–this year, Karla Burn, Pam Pfister, Dana Verdick, and Josh West–selects the winner.
“The Citizen of the Year will a person/group with these characteristics:
- continually volunteers his or her time, dedication, and talents to the town and [its] citizens to make Morrison a great place to live, work, play, and learn.
- has made a positive difference to the lives of fellow citizens.
- is dedicated to Morrison and concerned for others and may serve on service, school, church, or community committees.
- has shown a willingness to work with other Morrison residents, who is enthusiastic about the town and its citizens, and who works continually towards the betterment of the community.
- with the qualities of honesty and integrity.”
On Thursday, January 17, 2019, West called four candidates/groups to the stage at Morrison Institute of Technology, 701 Portland Avenue, Morrison, IL, to be recognized for their service to Morrison. The 115 attendees heard West read nominations that praised 11 citizens, shown left-to-right: Anne Frame, Ned J. Nesti, Jr., Sharon Boyles, and Sandra Crouse–The Loft on Main; (overlapping roles) Sandra Crouse, Sharon Moore, Patti Nice, Kathy Anderson, Jan Kelly, and Diane Garcia–Morrison Garden Club; Carrie Melton; LuAnn Wieneke.
Editor’s note: These Garden Club members were not in attendance: Mary Ann Chatterton, Cheryl Christianson, Linnea Koch, Mary Latwesen, Jan Mayes, Dee Morgan, Linda Port, and Sabrina Statzer (who has moved.) Melton is Executive Director of April House Children’s Advocacy Center of Whiteside County.
The recommendations follow.
Mrs. Carrie Melton is a leader in the Morrison community in both her personal and professional life. She is an active voice for many in the community. Carrie makes sure she is aware of many issues that face citizens in Morrison. She is able to relay her message in a poised and sophisticated manner. The Morrison community and Whiteside County area are lucky to have her present.
Some of the most hard-working and creative local citizens can be found within the Morrison Garden Club. Annually, Morrison Garden Club conducts four beautification initiatives: several spring beds that encircle Odell Public Library; plantings at the fountain in Grove Hill Cemetery/Memorial Park, prior to Memorial Day; summer containers and (sometimes) artistic representations at the southeast corner of U. S. Highway 30 and IL Route 78; Main Street and “the sandwich corner” planters, prior to the Christmas Walk. Current members are commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the club, which began December 10, 1948. There are two second-generation representatives of family members in today’s group. Morrison Garden Club’s creativity, management skills, and enterprise “Make Morrison Beautiful Again” throughout the year.
Ned J. Nesti, Jr., Anne Frame, Sharon Boyles, and Sandra Crouse answered the call when asked, in addition to more than 30 other people who have given their time and talents to the creation and successful opening of Morrison’s art store, [The Loft on Main]. They have collectively given their heart and soul to the creation of this new entity on Morrison’s Main Street, to ensure art has a permanent home in Morrison. Their gifts have given not only the Loft something, but the community something, to be excited about and…encouragement to others to look to Morrison for future projects.
LuAnn Wieneke is always very helpful with the SCRIP fundraising program, which supports Morrison Athletic Boosters. It takes a lot of time and effort to fill orders….She is always willing to accommodate last minute orders or meeting at her house to deliver the SCRIP cards. She also takes on the organizing of the volunteers for the Athletic Boosters at the Fair gates, which takes a lot of time and effort as well. She also helps with record keeping at high school sporting events and drives a school bus. She spends a lot of time supporting the school and our youth.
A clock, donated by Morrison Community Hospital, was presented to Morrison Garden Club. Moore stated the members decided–on the spot–to each share the clock for a month.
