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Volunteers Honored at Dixie Performing Arts Center

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The volunteer ushers at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center were honored during the annual luncheon to celebrate their service. Ushers are the first faces patrons see as they enter The Dixie.

Angela Demarcus of The Dixie thanked the Town Council and staff of the City of Huntingdon for their unyielding support. The Dixie would not be here without his vision and most importantly his ability to make such a seemingly impossible idea possible, said Demarcus as she thanked Mayor Kelley.

The year 2020 marked the pandemic and the death of Hal Holbrook, who was an inspiration to The Dixie and huge supporter.

Also thanks were given to Friends of The Dixie (the board of directors). This group of people remain committed to the Dixie and all it stands for, the Huntingdon Police Department for always providing for a safe environment and The Dixie staff who remain dedicated to the mission of The Dixie and keeping arts strong and thriving; house managers and event planners Aileen Davis and Teresa Carter. Aileen specifically helped so much in coordinating the annual event and making these beautiful center pieces along with Ballroom Gallery Director Laura DeVille. She is the one who transforms this room into a top notch art gallery every few months.

Claire Armbruster, who works virtually for us as our talented booking coordinator who helped put this concert lineup together. She became our go between with artists who were embarking on a new way to tour across the country and because of her Huntingdon is now the stopping point for some of the biggest names yet.

Thanks to Frank Dodd, the technical director, who transforms the stage into numerous brilliant creations throughout the years. His expertise in the music industry not only helps in the booking process but also in the brilliant interactions with the artists. Frank and his crew are the most professional technical support in the country and that was proven when he was chosen to travel with Hal Holbrook filling in as stage manager for Mark Twain Tonight!

Stacy Sullins, facility services manager who implements every room in this building on a daily basis and taking care of all those who enter!

Thanks to the Box Office ladies Angie Bartholomew, Megan Rushing, and Trudy Radford, the latter who navigated through the educational school performances this year and putting together a lineup for school children as well as being the face of the Dixie on social media by reading stories to our virtual audience during the pandemic. Such a hit!

Angela said her partner every day is the Box Office Manager, Leigh Boxell. Without her I could not have made it through this past year. I believe she has talked to every single patron in recent months as she handled rescheduling of events. And she was thrown curveballs this year that would make your head spin but she managed to handle herself with grace and kindness. I am so very grateful for you!

The newest member of the Dixie Staff is Rosemary Radford. She is the main reason that the website, social media, and printed materials look so professional. Her experience at CMT is something we are lucky enough to be able to utilize but it is her personal connection to Huntingdon that really makes her shine as our Brand Manager. This year especially she has been so helpful in coordinating all the details of our safety protocols that were put in place so that we could carry on with some of our rescheduled events. It was her idea to make this the Sweet 16.

The past two years were very different for everyone at The Dixie. Although we were forced to pause for a bit there were 41 volunteer ushers who answered the calls of help and who were able to assist us during the few events we had. For those of you who did sign up you showed such professionalism by adjusting from the typical procedures and usher training that you have known. Everyone of our socially distanced performances went off without issue and your addition to the Dixie team is remarkable. You know who you are and you have our thanks!

Ushers Achieving Major Service Milestones include:

15-plus years: Nancy Blaylock, Joyce Blow, Barbara Clifton, Bill Gwalthey, Brooke Hodges, Judy Noles, Linda Smothers, Geneva Johnson, Linda Wallace.

10-plus years: Sue Burden, Gene Burden, Gaye Gooch, Shirley Inman, Ann Mayfield, Ann Noles, Judy Roberts, Sherry Tarwater, Denise Coleman, Norma Easley, Terry Warren, Melissa Powell, Amy Rangnow, Brenda Sampson, Wanda Sampson, Ivy Smith, Natelle Waugh, Bob Espey, Judy Espey, Ruby Allen, Paula Atkins, Martha Hastings, Karen Hilton, Peggy Hutchison, David Rhodes, Doris Rich.

To date the total volunteer hours for the past 15 seasons is almost 34 thousand hours.

There was no Usher Award Ceremony in the year 2020, so two sets of awards were given out this year - 2019-2020 season and the 20-21 season.

The Carter-Holbrook Award for Excellence in Organizational Leadership of the Arts for the 19-20 season goes to Terry Warren; 20-21 season goes to Denise Coleman and Amy Rangnow.

The Mayors Award for Good Humor and Patience in the Public Service of the Arts 19-20 season goes to Jeaneen Blakeman; 20-21 season goes to Robert and Lynda Hudson.

Volunteer of the Year Award for Excellence in Volunteer Leadership of the Arts 19-20 season goes to Dennis Blackwell; 20-21 season goes to Rick and Jeannie Jahnke.

Retirement of Badges

Karen Hilton — started during the second season in 2006 and she worked approximately 810 hours in her 14 years of service at The Dixie. For those of you who knew Karen, she was a take charge kind of person and quickly became one of the lead ushers. That is why it was no surprise that she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for the 12-13 season and then also the Carter-Holbrook Award for the 15-16 season. Karen loved her fellow ushers and even took on the role of organizing the Usher tailgate party at several of our Derby Days at The Dixie events. One year, The Dixie had a silent auction that included some of Dixie Carters actual wardrobe items. Karen was overjoyed when she found out she won this yellow jacket and skirt piece and then she even wore the outfit to the next year’s Derby Day.

She deeply cared about this place and her absence will be felt for a very long time. Her badge was presented to her daughter and son-in-law, Sherrye and Trent Hudson.

An usher known as Mr. Kim — started during the 09-10 season and worked approximately 474 hours in his 6 years of service until he moved to California to be closer to his brother. He died earlier this year.