MOUNT VERNON — The Heritage Centre Association gathered Thursday night with members and guests to celebrate the many successes of 2010, to acknowledge individual supporters and to present awards in five different categories.
“This year we have had some challenges, but in the end we have a great deal to celebrate,” said Corby Wise, HCA president.
HCA was named a National Main Street Program, cruise-ins at First Friday events in 2010 were ranked the fourth best cruise-in in the state by Cruisin’ Times magainze, and the new tradition of a combined Christmas Walk and Parade was a huge success.
“Through the efforts of our businesses, government and volunteers, we’ve brought thousands of folks to downtown Mount Vernon, which is really incredible,” Wise said.
In special recognition of The Alcove Restaurant’s 100th anniversary, Wise presented a framed copy of the story on the restaurant’s history published recently in the Looking Glass, a special section of the Mount Vernon News.
“The Alcove is a Mount Vernon institution and is where the community comes together,” Wise said. “For a brief time, we were faced with life without the Alcove downtown and, being honest, that prospect was pretty tough for everyone. So thank you to all of the investors — Barb and Virginiax Barry, Tom and Kathy Lapp, Mary Lynne McIlhargey, Mark Ramser, Susan Ramser, Ken Reynolds, Karen Buchwald Wright — and finally to Mr. Downtown, Tom Metcalf, for playing a role in keeping this grand old establishment up and going for all of us to continue to enjoy.”
Gaylen Waddell, though not in attendance, was honored for his service to the Mount Vernon Parking Co. and HCA.
“He has served the organization and the parking company for many years with great dedication and dependability,” said Lynne Ricard, downtown manager. “He is now in his tenth year of service. Thank you to our friend, Gaylen Waddell, for your years of service.”
samantha.scoles@mountvernonnews.com
