We are just delighted with the response,” said Children’s
Playhouse executive director Kathy Parham, as she announced that
the nonprofit children’s museum received 15 nominations for
the first ever Great Friend to Families Award.
Sheri Lynch
“These are people who have labored for families without thought
of recognition and we are thrilled to give them some of the appreciation
they deserve,” Playhouse president Megan Ellis said.
The nominees are Laurie Cimino (Health Department/WIC program
nutritionist), Lindsay Cobb (children’s sports coach), Doug
Galke (Children’s Developmental Services Agency), Kaaren
Hayes (director of Parent to Parent/Family Support Network of
the High Country), Karen James (community volunteer at Sugar Grove
Developmental Day School and others), Karee Mackey (4-H), Todd
Nolt (Mountain Alliance), Sherrie Norris (reporter, community
volunteer), Jane Penley (community volunteer), Denise Presnell
(school social worker), Jan Rienerth (co- founder of Western Youth
Network), Robin Triplett (parent educator, Parents as Teachers),
Mary Willis (preschool teacher, community volunteer), Judith Winecoff
(children’s librarian, Watauga County Library), Cynthia Brown
Greer, (physical therapist, Watauga County Schools) and Natalie
Lewis (co-founder, Two Rivers Community School).
This award will recognize sustained contributions by an individual
to the well-being of young children and their families in the
High Country area. The award-winner will be presented with a piece
of art by local glassblower Glen Randle and $500 to donate to
the High Country charity of their choice.
The winner will be chosen by a distinguished committee of local
leaders: Boone Town Council member and local businesswoman Liz
Aycock, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce president Dan Meyer, and
Margaret Moore, retired teacher and wife of ASU coach Jerry Moore.
Said Moore, “I feel very honored to be asked to do this.”
Meyer commented that this was a great response for a new award,
but quipped, “Why should we be surprised,” since this
is a community is rich with people willing to help others.
The award will be presented at a luncheon on Friday, Feb. 27,
at the High Country Home Builder’s Plaza on the N.C. 105
bypass from noon to 2 p.m. All nominees will be recognized at
the event. Tickets, which are $20, may be purchased online at
www.goplayhouse.org or in person at First Citizens Bank, Earth
Fare, or The Children’s Playhouse, 400 Tracy Circle, Boone.
For more information, call (828) 263-0011.
The luncheon will also feature a speech by Sheri Lynch of Charlotte’s
the LINK Radio Network. Co-anchor of the popular “Bob and
Sheri Show,” a morning radio show heard over more than 50
radio stations across the U.S., Lynch has earned many professional
honors. In 2002 and 2005, Lynch received the American Women in
Radio and Television’s (AWRT) highest honor, the Gracie Allen
Award, in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the realistic
portrayal of women in media. She is the author of two books about
her parenting experiences, Hello, My Name is Mommy and Be Happy,
Or I’ll Scream!, both published by St. Martin’s Press.
The luncheon, which includes a silent auction, will also raise
funds to support family resource services at The Children’s
Playhouse, including scholarship memberships for low-income families
and low-cost parenting classes. This award is very consistent
with the mission of The Children’s Playhouse, which is to
provide children with an enriching, educational play environment
while at the same time offering their parents and caregivers friendly
support in the important job of raising children. Parham said,
“It is our effort to reach out to the community and to honor
significant efforts that share our values.”
The Great Friend to Families award is sponsored by First Citizens
Bank; Earth Fare; Adult and Child Orthodontists and Pediatric
Dentists Drs. Mayhew, Scheffler, Hardaway, and Conn; High Country
Home Builders Association; and Blue Ridge Electric Membership
Corporation.
For more information about The Children’s Playhouse, call
(828) 263-0011 or visit www.goplayhouse.org.
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