Main Street event a big success

Main Street’s annual dinner and concert included a great meal by the South Fork Homemakers, wonderful entertainment by Water’s Edge and a successful silent auction.

Phyllis Blakeman, 2008 recipient of the Main Street Service Award, right, presented the 2009 award to Wally Sparks.

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Main Street President Larry Davis presented the President's Award to former board member Carolyn Martinette, who died in 2008. Martinette's daughter, Lyndsay Saunders, accepted the plaque.

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The evening involved a lot of hard work by Main Street volunteers and board members and brought us a combined profit for tickets and auction of over $1,400, after expenses. That represents a special effort by some people to obtain the donated items.

Special thanks to Nancy Alexander for her lovely decorations and creative program. Fall items were provided by Hinton Orchards. Thanks to Wally Sparks for his usual hard work on setup and transporting chairs and obtaining and running the audio system for the dinner. Thanks to Mayor Terry Cruse and the City folks who helped with setup and provided a venue for our dinner and concert. Thanks to Rita Williams, who co-chaired the event. Thanks to Andy Meredith for finding and donating a large number of very nice auction items. Thanks to Main Street President Larry Davis and Phyllis Blakeman for special contributions of time.

Volunteers honored

This year Hodgenville Main Street/ Renaissance Association voted to add a new award – the President’s Award – to be given to a person of the President’s choice. Larry Davis selected Carolyn Martinette, a former board member and treasurer, who passed away last year. She was especially remembered for the creation of the Lincoln Bicentennial driver’s license and the pocket park on the square, a special project of hers.

Davis recalled, “Even when she was really ill she called often to see how Main Street was doing.” The award was accepted by her daughter, Lyndsay Saunders.

Phyllis Blakeman, 2008 recipient of the Main Street Service Award, presented the 2009 award to Wally Sparks. The award is given annually to someone who has performed outstandingly as a volunteer for the Main Street organization. The recipient’s name is added to a plaque that holds the names of service award winners for several years.

Blakeman called Sparks “one of the hardest-working, most capable people I know.”

“Everyone will know who I am talking about when I say the following two descriptions I’ve heard used for him: ‘If I want something done, I just give it to him and get out of the way.’ And ‘He’s not a good ol’ guy; he’s a great ol’ guy!’”

Sparks coordinated with emergency services and other agencies to put on Family Fun Day. He also serves on the Main Street Board of Directors and Executive Board and co-chairs the promotion committee.