Beverly Whisnant, DRC honored

Beverly Whisnant was named as Wake Forest's Citizen of the Year Tuesday night, and the Downtown Revitalization Corporation (DRC) took the honors as Club of the Year.

"We take care of each other in Wake Forest," Whisnant said as she accepted the plaque from Mayor Vivian Jones.

Whisnant then quoted Barbara Massenburg as she pondered the various candidates for this year's honors: "What a town we live in."

It is a town that cares for its children and takes in strangers, Whisnant said. "You took me in."

In describing Whisnant, Jones quoted George Bernard Shaw: "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can."

Whisnant, who came to town in 1980, is a charter member of the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club, involved in every project. She has been an officer and a head of docents at the Wake Forest Birthplace Museum. A member of the Wake Forest Woman's Club, she is also on the town's Historic Preservation Commission. At Wake Forest Baptist Church, she teaches English in the Hispanic outreach ministry. And this year she is the president of the Wake Forest Community Council.

For the DRC, Jones quoted the March 2002 issue of Southern Living's article about Wake Forest: "Located just north of Raleigh, this charming little village embodies all that a small community should be."

"This national exposure for Historic Wake Forest was not just a fluke," Jones said. "It happened because of a group of people who care about their community."

Among the DRC's activities this year have been helping to gain historic district status for the downtown area, Paint the Town with faux bricks on the sidewalks, a concert in June at the gazebo, sponsorship of the annual Herb Fest and a soon-to-be-released Historic Wake Forest video production.

Rich O'Neill, last year's chairman, accepted the plaque and immediately gave it to this year's chairman, Jonnie Anderson, who was also master of ceremonies.

The ensemble from Friendship Chapel Baptist Church entertained the crowd of 140 with Christmas carols, ending with a rocking version of Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King.

Wake Forest Garden Club President Karen Diebolt recognized Thelma Wright, who for years organized the dinner and sold most of the tickets. Wright was given a plaque and a bouquet of roses. She said later she wanted to express her thanks, but she was choked by emotion.

The dinner, which has been held since 1965, is sponsored by the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce, the Community Council, the Garden Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, the Woman's Club and the Young at Heart Club.

This year four clubs were nominated. Some of the accomplishments follows.

The Kiwanis Club will participate in a blood drive this month. Members helped at the Wake Forest Elementary School carnival and gave nine $300 awards to local teachers and teacher assistants.

The 40 members of the Woman's Club helped with Arbor Day by serving refreshments and giving two trees to be planted at the cemetery. They are involved with almost every town event.

Only chartered in August of 2001, the Civitan Club now co-sponsors the Junior Civitans and gave a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior. They collected canned goods for Tri-Area Ministry.

There were six nominations for Citizen of the Year.

Chuck Hess, athletic director and coach at WF-R High, was praised as a role model for the students.

Jean McCamy was one of the spark plugs that made the new book, A Gardeners' Guide to Wake Forest, possible.

Mark Williams is not only the town manager but also a coach for all seasons: soccer, baseball and basketball.

Andy Ammons oversaw the restoration of the College Birthplace Well, donated the land and maintenance for the Wake Forest Veterans Memorial, and coaches soccer, basketball and baseball.

Connie and Hugh Nourse are active in many town clubs and the library as well as literacy efforts.