Posted 1:27 am Friday, February 10, 2012
Longtime Realtor Stewart Named Gilmer Citizen Of The Year
By PHILLIP WILLIAMS
Special Correspondent
Special Correspondent
GILMER -- Longtime Gilmer insurance agent and realtor Steve Stewart was honored as the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year for 2011 at the chamber's 2012 banquet Thursday night.
Others receiving awards at the gathering were Dr. David Jenkins, Humanitarian of the Year; Paula Hill, Unsung Hero for 2011; Melinda Green, Educator of the Year; and the Upshur County Community Fund Board of Directors, which received the Top Hand Award for a group that has done an outstanding job.
KLTV reporter Joan Hallmark was guest speaker for the event, which drew about 300 people to the Gilmer Civic Center. In addition, Janice Gage took over the chamber presidency from Becky Skinner.
Stewart was honored for his involvement in community activities, including service as past president of the annual East Texas Yamboree Association and Gilmer Rotary Club and service as a former city councilman and current president of the Historical Upshur Museum.
He also was cited for his support of Gilmer ISD, including his aid to his wife Elaine, a teacher at the intermediate campus.
Mrs. Hill, a retired educator, was honored for her past work with children as Gilmer Intermediate School principal and one-time director of the Child Development Center at the First Baptist Church. She also was cited for her service from 2008-11 as volunteer coordinator for Kinsman Hospice Care, and her current work as director of patient and employee advocacy for Kinsman Home Health.
Dr. Jenkins, former pastor of First Baptist Church of Gilmer and the rural New Hope Baptist Church, was honored for his comfort of those who have suffered a death in their families and for his work on the local hospital and library boards. He also was cited for leading tours of Israel, holding Bible studies at nursing homes and speaking to area service clubs.
At age 80, he has authored two books and writes a widely used Sunday School curriculum for adults.
Mrs. Green, who is in her 33rd year of teaching in the rural Harmony High School, was feted for being a "crazy, fun teacher" who has influenced numerous students to choose education as their career. She was cited for her "unconventional teaching habits," and for being loved by her students.
Before suffering rheumatoid arthritis, Mrs. Green was known to tap dance on her desk and perform disco at pep rallies while dressed in a mascot suit. An English instructor, she also has taught French and theatre arts.
The Community Fund board was cited for raising funds used locally for various nonprofit organizations, and to help individuals with needs including food, clothing, air conditioners and fans.
In her talk, Mrs. Hallmark discussed the many celebrities and real-life "heroes" she has interviewed during her 40 years in television news.
While growing up in Athens, she said, she never planned on going into television journalism because "there were no women in news at that time." She said it is "very gratifying" to see women's roles in television news today.
Mrs. Hallmark also said she gets "a little bit disturbed" at television networks being "a little bit biased" politically.
