PARSONS – More than 100 folks gathered Sunday to celebrate a small city with a big heart – Parsons. Parsons PRO ON TRAC also presented awards to folks in nine different categories, while everyone enjoyed steak and chicken, prepared by Jon Bush.
Bessie Catherine Nestor Pennington received the Distinguished Senior Award. She was the third of 10 living children and her first school years were at a one-room schoolhouse known as No. 4. When she was old enough to help with the outside chores, she helped her father plow, plant and harvest, tended to the cows, horses, pigs, chickens and pet lamb. Because she was needed at home for these chores, she started school late in the fall and quit early in the spring.
Pennington’s father was not in favor of her going to high school. When she didn’t go to school, she would help her brother, Charles, with his homework. Her father saw how determined she was to learn and finally one morning he told her that if she was going to go to school today, she had better get up and get her chores done first.
Jaylen Myers was selected as the Most Courageous Parsons Resident. Parsons PRO ON TRAC liaison Cynthia Kolsun said Jaylen may break a bone and not even know it due to a medical condition.
“Her smile melts our heart even though she has undergone numerous surgeries and much pain, she is a happy child who brings happiness to many,” Kolsun said. “Even with all the pain she’s endured, she continues to show us that courage knows no age. She is a little toughie that we all love.”
Kevin White received the Firefighter of the Year Award. He joined the Parsons Volunteer Fire Department in Feb. 1986; three months after his family’s home had been destroyed by the flood. His mentor was Bernard Martin, chief at the time, who played a large role in making Kevin the firefighter he is today.
“White holds numerous certifications and class hours in firefighting,” Kolsun said. “He has served as Lieutenant, Assistant Chief and became Chief after the retirement of Charles Lloyd in 2013.”
Kolsun thanked Bill Rowe, Parsons Chief of Police for making Parsons a safe city. Rowe received the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.
“Even though he has only been with the City of Parsons for a year, he has made numerous improvements in the police department,” Kolsun said. “All of the police files and computer programs are up to date, late reports have been filed. He has helped with the new ordinances and collected debts. He assists in the office and is an experienced police officer who respects our residents while ensuring the laws are enforced. Rowe is the type of person who is determined to finish a chore after he starts it. He has a wonderful sense of humor and makes friends easily. Everyone who works for the City of Parsons has found a good friend in Chief of Police Bill Rowe.”
Marvin “Bud” and Jane Parsons were recognized as the Volunteers of the Year.
“These two lovely people recognize the importance of giving to their community,” Kolsun said. “They can be counted on over and over again to help others. Their service is unselfish and genuine. Any town in West Virginia would be honored to have Bud and Jane Parsons serving in their community. We, however, are the lucky ones!”
Crystal Nelson, who began working with the Mountain State Honey Company in 2012, and she received the award for Employee of the Year.
“Her employer said they can count on Nelson to tackle numerous duties,” Kolsun said. “She is willing to try any job that we ask of her. This includes everything from extracting hone, making deliveries, packing and labeling jars of honey, cleaning, handing out bees to beekeepers and answering customers’ questions on the phone. She has even sanded and painted walls when we added a new section on our current building. I can depend on her to work independently and efficiently. I am able to deliver orders to the stores who stock our honey knowing I have an employee who cares to make sure work gets done in my absence.”
Warren Judy was named the Entrepreneur of the Year.
“A great small city cannot function without those who have vision and faith in what could be,” Kolsun said. “We are so fortunate to have an entrepreneur who has the vision and will do what he needs to do to ensure that it happens. Judy has the vision in our city as he knows where we are and where we can go.
“Judy is active in PRO ON TRAC and he says he just wants to save our buildings and our downtown before it’s too late,” Kolsun said. “He is working hard to help that happen. His energy and enthusiasm for our city makes him work hard. It is difficult to envision Warren without that genuine smile on his face. You can’t help but wonder what he is thinking up next. He truly can turn a town around. He is turning our City of Parsons around.”
The Business Person of the Year Award went to Debbie Stevens.
“Parsons is home to some great businesses,” Kolsun said. “Those businesses don’t spring up on their own. It takes work and more work to make a successful business. Stevens is not afraid of all that hard work. She has been in business for many years, and she continues to support the businesses of others.”
Stevens is the owner of Stevens Realty and Gifts to Go.
“She has won numerous real estate awards and has been named Business Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women’s Club as well as recognized by the Ruritans. She is known for being a fair and honest business person.”
Jason Myers received the award for the Celebrate Parsons Person of the Year.
“He has his hand in everything that is needed to make Parsons work efficiently. Having the job Jason has, ensures that he will be wearing a number of hats at any given time. He is in charge of every department and employee for the city.”
According to Carol Hebb and Tammy Michael, “he is a very dedicated employer who listens to his employees’ problems and suggestions, and puts in numerous hours each day. He loves his city and has the city in mind with every decision he makes.”
Members of the Parsons PRO ON TRAC Board include Jimmy Judy, Linda Tucci, Warren Judy, Debbie Stevens, Ken Smith, Phyllis Carr, Cynthia Kolsun and Bonnie Swyter.
Parsons City Councilmembers, Parsons City Mayor and Parsons City Administrator/Treasurer were recognized for helping to make the City of Parsons a better place to live and work.
New businesses to the City of Parsons were recognized for joining the City of Parsons Business Community. Those recognized were Jon and Paula Bush, owners of Piccolo Paula’s Café and Pasticcerina; Bill Davis and Warren Judy, owners of DJ Trucking; Warren Judy, owner of The Paint Store; Scott and Sara Carr, owners of S. Carr Logistics, Kim Delsignore, Barbara Burns and Amanda Hershman, managers of Tucker County Inn; Barbie Evans, owner of Buttercup Bakery; Axel Purnell of Purnell Computer Repair; and Warren Judy and Bill Davis, owners of BJ Logistics.
Donors for Celebrate Parsons include Buttercup Bakery, CJ’s Pizzeria, Belva Dilly, Five River Campground, Gifts To Go, Hair Haven, Jivaka Wellness Center, Mimi Kibler of LaFontaine Bakery, Stacy Kolsun Harper of 31 Gifts, Alain Kieny of Left Bank Studio, Michael Ledden, McClain Printing Company, Donnell McCoy, Amy McDaniel of Soap City WV, Mountain State Honey Company, Performance Auto Body, Shop N Save, Mariwyn Smith and Bonnie Swyter.
The award for Most Courageous Parsons Resident is presented to Jaylen Myers.
Kevin White, Chief of the Parsons Volunteer Fire Department, receives the Firefighter of the Year Award during the Celebrate Parsons event Sunday.
Parsons Chief of Police Bill Rowe is named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Debbie Stevens accepts the award for Business Person of the Year.