The Enterprise

Pat Shelton, right, accepts the Mary Martin Service Award from DDA Director Annette Knowles.

Pat Shelton is having a really good couple of months.

Late last  year, she received a special volunteer appreciation award from the Oakland County Main Street program, which honors outstanding contributions from a dozen local programs. Tonight, Pat received the Farmington Main Street’s Mary Martin Service Award, given annually to a volunteer who has exhibited “exemplary service” to Downtown Farmington.

While Downtown Development Authority Director Annette Knowles refused to divulge the selection process, it’s easy to see why Pat was honored. That Main Street Messenger you receive in the mail with details about program activities and Downtown happenings is her baby, and she volunteers for special projects throughout the year. The special “Streetscape edition” of the Messenger provided an outstanding platform for factual information and answered many questions about a complex and contentious bond election. Pat has given of her time and talents in other areas over the years as well, as a member of the Beautification Commission and a participant in Farmington’s Visioning process years ago.

Other nominees, whose devotion to our community was equally impressive, are:

Walt Gajewski, a driving force in establishing the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion and Riley Park, and gives of his time and organizational talents to make sure community events like the Harvest Moon Dance come off without a hitch.

Dave Gronbach, chair of the Planning Commission, serves on the Main Street Design Committee and gives of his time and talents above and beyond just attending meetings. He has served as a volunteer for 14 years and has been a Main Street volunteer since the program’s inception in 2005.

Nancy Kilner is a familiar face to anyone who hangs out at the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market. She has devoted many hours to recruiting and coordinating volunteers and also gave of her time and talents to the Streetscape campaign.

Alisa Logsdon has taken on the task of volunteer development for the DDA, actively recruiting volunteers for specific events and the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market. She works with the DDA’s extensive volunteer data base to let community residents know when their help is needed. Under her leadership, there has been a significant increase in the number of volunteers who participate in Farmington events.

The Mary Martin Service Award is named in honor of a woman who was instrumental in developing the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market, and devoting countless hours to ensuring its success when the Market moved to the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion. “Mary’s ideas and efforts epitomized the combination of vision, commitment and excitement which made the new era possible and sustains it to this day.” (Bios and Service Award information are taken from the event program – which Pat Shelton helped create!)

Congratulations to all the volunteers who enjoyed tonight’s festivities. Everyone’s efforts help make Downtown Farmington – and, indeed, our entire community – a wonderful place to call home.

–Joni Hubred-Golden
Publisher, The Enterprise