Hopkins County Regional Civic Center
Marks 30th Anniversary
By Recognizing People

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Former Board member Deborah Balkcom and Board member Talley Bell discuss one of the
projects at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.

 

"It's a bittersweet occasion," denoted Dottie Ford and Pansy Bell, as they introduced the current board of the Hopkins County Civic Center. "It's time to reflect on the many, many people who have been influential in making this facility and organization during the past 30 years, many of which have passed on, but it's also a time to celebrate the many, many positive influences that have been made in this community!"

Ford called on current members of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Board and those in attendance who had previously served to stand. Then, Bell introduced the Hopkins County Commissioners Court and other key individuals who have been instrumental in making the local regional Civic Center a success.

 

Current and former board members, as well as community leaders were in Thursday's crowd
to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.

 

Amidst door prizes offered during the official Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event, a large crowd of local citizens were on-hand to celebrate 30 years of the center. "I can remember showing cattle in the old show barn in Buford Park and having to use the Old National Guard Armory Building for any exhibit space, as well as displaying things beneath the trees in the park," denoted retired Hopkins County Extension Agent, Janie Crump. "We've certainly come a long, long way in being able to host events and functions in Hopkins County, with the birth and expansion of the Civic Center!"

 

 

 

Then, three individuals were "singled-out" to be recognized at Thursday's gathering......Curtis Buchanan, an 18 year member of the Civic Center staff, who is retiring September 30th, Jonas Helm, who led the Equine Pavilion Expansion Project, and Joy Doss, an AP Biology Teacher at SSHS, who has developed a large landscaping project for the facility, with the help of her classes.

 

Dottie Ford presented longtime Civic Center Employee, Curtis Buchanan, with a
commemorative plaque, marking his retirement.

 

Ford called Buchanan to the podium, along with his wife, Linda, and daughter, Stephanie, as she began a list of accomplishments that Buchanan had been a part of, during his tenure on the staff. A family friend, Charolotte Henderson, wife of former Civic Center Manager Rod Henderson, also listed a number of accomplishments and anecdotes from Buchanan's career. "We want to wish Curtis a wonderful retirement and we'll more than likely be calling on him for assistance, as we make the transition," expressed Pansy Bell.

Buchanan was presented with a number of retirement gifts.

 

Jonas Helm took the microphone, after being presented an award for his leadership in
the Equine Pavilion expansion, and thanked his committee and family for their support.

 

County Judge Cleitus Millsap then asked Jonas Helm to come forward. Helm was cited for his leadership and construction knowledge in the birth of the Civic Center Equine Pavilion. "When others thought the project was dead and when guidance needed to be directed, Jonas Helm was always there to make certain that the project was completed," stated Millsap. "He was the single factor that led the committee to making this project a reality and is long overdue for recognition!"

 

Pansy Bell recognized SSHS AP Biology Teacher, Joy Doss, for her contributions to the
landscaping at the Civic Center, with the aid of her classes.

 

Pansy Bell then took the microphone and called SSHS AP Biology Teacher, Joy Doss, to the podium, as she extolled the many landscaping projects that Doss and her students had conducted at the center. "They've landscaped the grounds, worked with contractors, and even managed to equip the center with a group of 'barn cats' to keep the mice away!" allowed Bell. "Through the growth of the trees, shrubs, and flowers, the grounds will remain a beautiful asset to the community!"

 

Robert Vanwinkle and Charles Helm discuss some of their memories from the 30 years of
the Hopkins County Civic Center.

 

Memories abounded as former directors, staff members, and community leaders discussed events, happenings, and favorite projects that have transpired at the center during the past 30 years. Refreshments were served amidst the gathering of citizens and the sharing of memories.

 

And, longtime Civic Center Board member, Lynda Hager, right, shares some of her memories
with Sharon and Jonas Helm.

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