Mount Vernon News

MOUNT VERNON — Barbara Barry received the Heritage Centre Association’s Walter Rudin Award Tuesday. She was among several winners at the HCA annual awards dinner, an event in which the association celebrates the contributions of its members.

The Walter M. Rudin Award is presented to an individual in honor of his or her longterm commitment to downtown Mount Vernon and the community, someone who has made significant contributions to downtown Mount Vernon, the HCA, and the Downtown Merchant’s Association. The award was sponsored by First-Knox National Bank, where Barry is the assistant vice-president of marketing.

“I love Mount Vernon. I was born and raised in Mount Vernon, and I plan to be here for a long time,” she said.

Following a video presentation with photos of Barry’s past, Thom Collier, master of ceremonies for the event, said Barry began her career as a teller for First-Knox National Bank on Coshocton Avenue in 1978. She worked at various other positions with the bank through the years, including administrative assistant for advertising and public relations and administrative officer of marketing, before reaching her current position. He said her community involvement is extensive and includes serving as vice president of publicity and a board member of Ohio Junior Miss, Inc., publicity chair for United Way of Knox County, member of the local chamber of commerce, the local Soroptomists, the HCA Economic Restructuring Committee, and the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Barry thanked Mount Vernon and First-Knox for helping her and her family through the years.

“I’m elated to be part of the community and I enjoy what I do every day,” she said.

United Precast Inc. received the Large Business of the Year Award, which was sponsored by First-Knox National Bank. Collier said UPI was founded in 1970. At that time, the business consisted of one septic tank form, four patio stone molds, one straight rail delivery truck and three employees. It now has five indoor production facilities, a bridge beam pre-stress area totaling over 1,100 lineal feet of casting beds, a delivery and service fleet of over 100 vehicles, and a staff of over 250 associates.

“They are always ready to lend HCA and downtown Mount Vernon their support, especially First Friday events,” Collier said.

John Ellis, company president, said thanked the HCA for the award.

“We’ve been fortunate. Mount Vernon is a good place to do business,” he said. “We have a lot of good employees, and that’s what’s made us successful.”

Ellis also said, in answer to a question, that UPI is the largest hauler of oversized loads in the state, based on the number of permits the companies has to apply for.

The Mid-Size Business of the Year Award, sponsored by G.R. Smith’s, went to The Alcove. Collier said the business began 96 years ago as an ice cream and candy shop on South Main Street. It was originally called Candyland. Founders Fred Surlas and Peter J. Francis came to Mount Vernon in 1911 from Youngstown. In the 1920s, sandwiches were added to the menu, and, as demand for food overtook the demand for candy and ice cream, the “Alcove Room” was added. The business expanded again in 1937 when the present building was built on the site of the original Candyland. The fame of the Alcove Room led to current name of the business.

Tom Metcalf, owner of The Alcove, said he recently returned from an event for restaurant owners in Arizona. He said many of them just stared back when he said The Alcove has been open for 96 years.

“It just dawned on me: how many banquets and awards, how many important decisions for the community have been made here,” Metcalf sad.

The Small Business of the Year Award was given to Packard’s Gifts and Accessories. The award was sponsored by Decorating Designs. Collier said Packard’s Gifts was opened in 1983 at 102 S. Main St. In 1989, Walt and Betty Phillipi bought the business. It was primarily run by Walt until his illness and death in 1996. In 2003, Packard’s moved to 16 S. Main St.

“Through changing times the store has carried different merchandise to meet the customer’s requests, and today carries home accessories,” he said. “Packard’s is pleased to have such a loyal customer base and they take pride in our downtown by donating time and energy to many causes.”

The Spirit of Heritage Award is given to the volunteer who has given significant amounts of time, energy and leadership in efforts to improve the vitality of downtown Mount Vernon during the year. This year’s recipient was Nancy Lorey, a partner in I-Conn Video Productions. Collier said she serves as chairwoman of the Public Relations Committee for the local Kiwanis Club. She serves on the Bicentennial Committee as chairwoman of the Legacy Video project. Lorey chaired the HCA Design Committee, coordinated the downtown flower project, and organized a parking study.

Lorey said she thinks the strength of the HCA is its many members and the work they do.

“That’s what makes the organization work and it is what will make it work well in the future,” she said.

Collier also recognized businesses who have been shown a commitment to the downtown through consecutive years of HCA membership. Five-year members named were Ariel Corp., Dennis and Schisler, Good Impressions, Nelson & Nelson CPAs, Paragraph Bookstore, Joyce Acton, R & M Diner, and Sip’s Coffeehouse and Deli. Those honored for 10-year membership status were Comfort Inn, Coldwell Banker Trust, Decorating Designs, Dumbaugh Insurance and Joan Jones.

At the outset of the event, HCA president, Ted Rice, said 2007 is going to be an exciting year for the association. Ohio Heritage recently visited Mount Vernon, conducted an assessment of the downtown and held an educational workshop. The visit and assessment is the first step in HCA’s application toward becoming a member of Ohio Main Street, which offers benefits that can greatly benefit downtown revitalization efforts. He said many times Ohio Heritage representatives make the lengthy visit and assessment only to inform the members of the local downtown that they are not ready to become members of the program. Rice said the good news is that Ohio Heritage has said that HCA is ready. By the end of the year he said he expects HCA to be accepted into the program.

Collier said he’s very proud to tell people that he is from Mount Vernon. When he tells people from outside of the county where he’s from, the immediate response by those who have visited the city is positive. Collier said these individuals often mention restaurants such as The Alcove or Mazza’s which they remember fondly.

“They don’t ever say: Don’t you have a Wal-Mart,” he said.

Collier said he cherishes vivid memories as a child in Mount Vernon when he worked as a paperboy. He said it gave him great joy to take the money he earned and go downtown to Kresge’s to buy a ham and cheese sandwich. Collier also told about Christmas shopping downtown and recalled his brother’s astonishment at being able to buy what he believed was the largest diamond ring at Kresge’s for 50 cents. He said this ring was discovered recently after his mother passed away and brought back that special memory. Collier said the residents of Mount Vernon are fortunate because they can point the actual buildings where they once purchased their first gift or did their banking. In many communities, those buildings are no longer standing. In many places, such buildings have been torn down in many places with only a plaque left to commemorate them. He said he often wonders about other citys, where residents have describe past experiences about places and buildings that are no longer standing.

Rice concluded by thanking HCA member Sara Pifer for her help in organizing the event.