Georgia Snowden accepts her award for Woman of the Year from last year's Woman of the Year, Vistan Allen during the Community Development Clubs 2009 awards program at Mississippi State University Meridian campus' Kalhmus Auditorium Monday night. Above right, 2009 Man of the Year Al Kimbrell accepts his award from Diann Howse, president of the CDC council.

from staff reports

    Al Kimbrell and Georgia Snowden took home two of the highest honors of the evening Monday – Lauderdale County Outstanding Man and Outstanding Woman of the Year –  during the 2009 Community Development Clubs Awards Program.

    Kahlmus Auditorium on the Mississippi State University, Meridian campus, was the setting for the annual event. Ward Calhoun III, president of the Overall Advisory Council for the Lauderdale County Extension Service, served as master of ceremonies. Entertainment was provided by Erin Beaudoin, an eighth-grader from Russell Christian Academy, provided entertainment.

    Kimbrell, a member of the Suqualena CDC, has been described as a person who does not like the limelight.

    As Suqualena’s president, Kimbrell carried out club meetings with dignity and fun. He is well respected in the community and affectionally called “Mr. President.” He was instrumental in setting up the clubs new by-laws.

    Kimbrell is a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where he has served as interim music leader. He has dual membership in Oakland Heights Masonic Lodge and Suqualena Masonic Lodge, where he is an officer in both. He is active in the Suqualena Volunteer Fire Department.

    Kimbrell always has a big vegetable garden and shares whatever he has with others in his community. He takes community members to doctor appointments and picks up others from doctor appointments.

    If something is not working at the community club, he finds out why and just fixes whatever the problem is.

    “He is a Jack of all trades. He is one who does not wait to be asked, but pitches in and helps wherever is needed,” said Jerry Daniels, former CDC Man of the Year.

    As a cancer survivor, Kimbrell said he knows that God has left him here for a reason and that is to serve God and others by helping where he can.

    Snowden is a member of the Center Hill CDC and has served her club for more years than can be remembered, said Vistan Allen of the Collinsville CDC, and former Woman of the Year.

    Snowden has served her club as treasurer, making monthly reports on all fiscal transactions. She is a member of the Call, Kitchen, Grounds, Senior Citizen and Wesley House committees and helps with the decorations for the Club 4-H Awards Program. She has served the Obadiah MHV Council as treasurer also. She is a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church, where she is very active.

    “You can see that she truly deserves this honor,” Allen said.

    Also receiving outstanding honors during the evening was the Collinsville CDC, which was recognized as Outstanding Club of the Year. Jack Cook serves as president of the club, which received a check for $300, a club plaque, as well as the rotating trophy.

    Second place honors for Club of the Year went to Suqualena CDC. The club received a check for $250, as well as a certificate for Honoring Heritage and Leadership. Al Kimbrell serves as president. Placing third was Lauderdale Community Development Club, which received a check for $200 and a certificate for Most Improved and Support of Education. Junior Hatcher serves as president.

    Other recognitions included the Lauderdale County Community Development Clubs for their outstanding work during the club year. The clubs received cash awards. The honorees were:

    • Causeyville – Commitment to Youth; Lynda Irby, president

     • Center Hill – Youth and Recreational Development; Lou Ella Limerick, president

    • Long Creek – Community Outreach; Ray Carol Enzor, president

    • Northeast – Community Support; John Satcher, president

    • Russell – Perseverance; Ann Calcote, president

    Sara Carmichael of the East Mississippi Business and Development Corporation, presented the Mini Grant winners. The honorees were:

     • Northeast Community Development Club,  $100 to be used in replacing electric heater in the club house.

     • Suqualena Community Development Club, $100 to be used in helping to buy a small freezer for the club house.

     • Causeyville Community Development Club, $200 to be used to upgrade wiring in the club house.

     • Center Hill Community Development Club, $200 to be used to replace boards on the outside of the club house.

     • Collinsville Community Development Club, $200 to be used to help repair the carousel horse that has been vandalized and to repaint the welcome sign.

     While president is the highest office for a club or organization, the secretary’s position is one of the busiest positions.

    “A lot of hard work and long hours goes into writing minutes and compiling a great secretary’s book,” Calhoun said.

    “The group I have the honor to recognize tonight not only takes their office as community development club secretary seriously, but they are very active club members and community leaders. Because of their continued work and their ‘go the extra mile attitude’ they are being honored with a special gift as a token of appreciation for their dedication.”

    The following CDC secretaries were recognized: Mattie Downey, Causeyville; Cathy Clearman, Center Hill; Vistan Allen, Collinsville; Drucille Fisher, Long Creek; Linda Ward,        

Lauderdale; Rachel Jones, Northeast; Harriet Touchstone, Suqualena.          

    To take the recognition even one step further, a $25 cash award was presented to the secretary selected by judges for having the most outstanding secretary book. The award went to Harriet Touchstone of the Suqualena Community Development Club.