By Beth Christian
Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
DAVIS – Hundreds of Tucker County residents gathered Thursday evening at the Canaan Valley Resort State Park for the 37th annual Tucker County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. The Rev. Allen Crosten served as emcee for the evening, where nine residents received awards for helping make Tucker County a great place to live or to visit. Mary Frances Good received the coveted award as the 2015 Tucker County Chamber of Commerce Tuckineer, an award sponsored by Citizens Bank.
Good, who lives in Davis, has dedicated her life and career to serving Tucker County. She was employed for more than 40 years at the former Bank of Davis.
“I am not usually at a loss for words, but I am,” Good said as she accepted the award. “Thank you – that is all I can say.”
Anita Helmick was named Educator of the Year. The award was sponsored by Mountain Hospice. Helmick is a 2002 graduate of Tucker County High School and a 2006 graduate of West Virginia University and teaches English at Tucker County High School.
“I am deeply honored to have been nominated and selected as the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year,” Helmick said. “It truly touched my heart that my students and coworkers thought that I was worthy enough of such an honorable title. Thank you again.
“It only took a moment to realize that teaching was my calling in life,” Helmick said. “There is quite a difference between recognizing your calling and simply having a job. I absolutely love teaching.”
Helen Melnick accepted the Student of the Year Award, sponsored by Performance Motors. Melnick attended Davis/Thomas Elementary Middle School and is the President of the Tucker County High School Student Council.
“I first want to say how grateful I am and honored to be here today,” Melnick said. “To be selected as Tucker County Chamber of Commerce Student of the Year is the biggest honor I have ever received and I will cherish this forever.
“I want to thank the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce for selecting me for this honor as well as for all the efforts you have taken to make where we live a wonderful place,” Melnick said. “Living in such a beautiful and close knit community has allowed me to be exposed to numerous opportunities that will benefit my future. I am truly blessed to be a part of Tucker County.”
Patty Roy was named the Employee of the Year, sponsored by Blackwater Falls State Park. Roy has been employed at Performance Motors for 17 years.
“I am just so overwhelmed,” Roy said. “When Jessica called me, I just could not believe it. I want to thank my bosses, my coworkers and the folks I have known for 17 years. I love doing what I do.
“We have such a great county and I am so proud to be from Tucker County,” Roy said. “Thank you so much.”
The Business Persons of the Year Award was sponsored by Davis High Valley Realty and was presented to Amy Barb, Donna Patrick and Kelly Roberts from Best of Canaan.
“We are greatly honored to receive this business award,” Barb said. “I am very excited we were chosen. Thank you for supporting us and trusting our professional qualities. Your support means so much to us. The three of us all deal in different aspects of the business and we all share something in common – striving to be better.”
Diane Beall received the Community Service Award, sponsored by Monongalia General Hospital.
“I am pleased and honored and humbled to accept the Community Service Award and join past recipients who I have long admired and respected for bettering our community,” Beall said. “I would like to acknowledge the other nominees – you have each made such a difference in our community and I consider it an honor and a privilege to be counted among such a caring, generous group of individuals.”
The Humanitarian and Friend Award, sponsored by the Best of Canaan, was presented to Judy Pitzer. Pitzer headed the project to renovate the Tucker County High School girl’s locker room.
“I really did not expect this at all,” Pitzer said. “I thank the parents and the Chamber for this award. I do what I do for the kids. It is a great community and a great bunch of girls.”
Those previously honored as Tuckineer include Don Roth, Guy H. Michael, Jr. M.D., Elmer Mullenax, J. Kenton Lambert, J. Pat Nichols, Arthur M. Quattro, R.W. Minear, Dewey Wilfong, Don H. Carr, J. Ralph Good, Mariwyn M. Smith, Meade L. Gutshall, Mary Alice Klein, Carmen DiBacco, Jane H. Barb, Cleta M. Long, D. Randall Moore, Jane Burch, Lester Hinkle, David J. Orr, Dr. Thomas Patrick, Dan Bucker, Pat Carr, Walt Ranalli, Donna Patrick, Jim Propst, David Collins, Murray Dearborn, Carlos Ricottilli, Larry Price, Jeffery Barb, Eleanor Nestor, Tom Gutshall, Roxanne Tuesing, Matt Quattro and Allen Loughry II.
The Citizens Bank, Tucker County Branch; Mountain Valley Bank, NA; Miners & Merchants Bank and The Grant County Bank sponsored the food and social hour. McClain Printing Company of Parsons provided the programs and tickets. Penny Ellison, owner of Mountain Mist Florist provided the table centerpieces and the Parsons Advocate and The Elkins Inter-Mountain donated advertising space for the event.