The Salisbury Community Appearance Commission and Salisbury Tree Board recognized recipients of the 2020 Biennial Awards in a program at Salisbury City Hall on Thursday, February 27.
“The awards program is to pay tribute to the many individuals, businesses and organizations that make Salisbury a great city in which to live,” said Jane Creech, chairperson of the Salisbury Community Appearance Commission. “The event theme varies on each occasion to reflect current times. This year’s theme, ‘Leaping Forward: Planting Tomorrow’s Seeds Today,’ gives a nod to this year – 2020 – being Leap Year and to our connection and inter-dependence on the world of nature. It also alludes to all of you, as well as many others, who have and are investing seeds today, whether in the natural world or in physical structures, for making Salisbury’s tomorrows even greater. We are indeed grateful.”
The CAC recognized the following individuals and organizations during the Biennial Awards:
In the residential landscapes category: Bernard & Vivian Savaria, Lori Burke, Bobby & Betty Lomax, Ted & Frances Weant, George Stephen Henman, Sue McHugh, Telka M. Weant, Steve & Mary Arey, James Bostwick, Susan Lippard, Bassey Francis-Joseph Eyoh, and Yvette Sophia Chaparro.
In the commercial landscapes category: Lost & Found, Olive Garden, Wendy’s, Landmark Church, Los Arcos, Smart Start Rowan, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Rowan County Library, Cracker Barrel, Revival Golf Club, and Lowry Vogt Properties.
In the community treasure landscape category: Dr. and Mrs. Robert Whitaker, Willie Whitaker, Fulton Heights Neighborhood, Crosswinds Senior Apartments, and Joseph Medlin, Jr.
In the urban landscape category: East Square Artworks, Salisbury Salon & Spa, The Medicine Shoppe, Sweet Meadow, Towne Creek Commons, Fidelity Bank, Allied Financial, and F&M Bank.
The 2018 and 2019 downtown holiday storefront decorations category: Anna Craig Boutique, Caniche, Lora Belle Baby, Fine Frame Gallery, The Lettered Lily Design Studio, Maison Monroe, Oxford + Lee, Partners in Learning, Skinny Wheels, The Spice & Tea Exchange, Southern Sass, Sweet Country Style Boutique Textile Products, and Tonyan Grace.
The 2020 development award winners included Fisher Realty and O. O. Rufty General Store building for adaptive reuse, Bogle Architecture Firm and Yates Realty Inc. for Facade Improvement, Rowan County Courthouse for Public Art, Wallace Properties LLC for Fresh Start, Railwalk Pavilion for Structural Preservation/New Construction, and Spice & Tea Exchange for Signage.
Lisa Williams, a member of the Salisbury Tree Board, discussed how a community’s urban forest is an extension of its pride and growth. She also presented two awards on behalf of the Tree Board. The Judy McDaniel Tree Steward Award and the Johnny Safrit Tree Planting Award were established to honor two deceased members of the Tree Board who gave tirelessly of their efforts to promote the board’s purpose and goals.
The late John Sherrill, III of Garden Greenhouses received the 2020 Judy McDaniel Tree Steward Award. The award was gratefully received by his wife and son.
The Rowan-Salisbury School System was awarded the 2020 Johnny Safrit Tree Planting Award for West Rowan Elementary School’s campus landscape of trees from the Cleveland and Woodleaf communities whose schools merged into the new West Rowan Elementary.
Former Mayor, Susan Kluttz, presented the 2020 Mayor’s Award to Bill Burgin for his dedication and commitment on making a long-lasting impact over many years in the City of Salisbury.
Michael and Diane Young, owners of LMY, Inc. and the restorers of the O.O. Rufty General Store building, were the guest speakers for the event.