4 nominated for community service awards

LUDINGTON – The Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the nominations for the annual Community Service Awards. They include Barry Neal, Dr. Bill Anderson, Erin Doan, Nancy Supran, Circle Rocking S Children’s Farm and Lakeshore Civic Players.

The recipients of the awards will be announced during the annual chamber dinner, May 11 at Lincoln Hills Golf Club.

Nominations are made by the public in a letter of recommendation.

• Barry Neal. Barry is owner and operator of House of Flavors Restaurant in Manistee and general manager of House of Flavors Restaurant of Ludington and Best Choice Market and Deli in Ludington.

Neal was nominated by Ludington businessman Brad Reed. “Barry is one of the most active volunteers in Mason County,” Reed said in his nomination letter. Reed listed Neal’s involvement in the Ludington Area Visitors and Convention Bureau, Ludington Downtown Development Authority and Ludington Area Arts Council as some of his volunteer activities.

“Not only is Barry actively involved in all of the board and committees mentioned above, he always rises to a leadership role in each and every meeting that he attends. Barry is the best person I have ever met at getting a task or mission completed and he has the leadership ability to get the entire team/board/committee to believe in the mission as well.”

• Circle Rocking S Children’s Farm. The farm, located near Free Soil, received two nominations. It is a non-profit entity that serves individuals with special needs. “This all volunteer group is dedicated to providing animal touch therapy and recreation for persons with disabilities,” said Mary Schlagel of Leland, Il in her nomination letter. “In an era where more and more federal, state and county programs have been cut, Circle Rocking S Children’s Farm has picked up what the government has dropped by providing activities for a part of a community that has been deeply affected by the loss of programs.”

Leanne Wisniewski, Irons also nominated the farm.

• Nancy Supran. Supran is the president of Circle Rocking S Children’s Farm. She was nominated by Jan Rafferty of Montgomery, Il. “She is a woman who in the shadow of tragedy in the 1990s reversed its course and cultivated a productive outlet for individuals of all ages with special needs/disabilities,” Rafferty wrote. “The farm in Free Soil is Nancy’s home… The children’s farm offers free of charge touch therapy and recreation to those whose lives are comprised by any kind of disability or illness.“The community is truly fortunate to have a person like Nancy Supran living in it and initiating so many volunteer choices through the children’s farm.”

• Dr. Bill Anderson. Anderson was nominated by Gary and Sue Ann Schnitker, owners of Cartier Mansion in Ludington. He is president emeritus of West Shore Community College and also served as the Michigan Director of History, Arts and Libraries, serving under both Gov. John Engler and Gov. Jennifer Granholm.“Our first memory of Dr. Anderson was at the Mason County sesquicentennial celebration on the courthouse lawn…” the Schnitkers wrote. “We had just moved to the area and this was our first community event to attend, he was the keynote speaker and we were amazed. Who was this man who was able to mesmerize a crowd and speak with such elegance?”Anderson grew up on a farm in Victory Township. He has been involved with many community projects and organizations including the Mason County Economic Development Task Force, Mason County Historical Society, chamber of commerce Barns and Byways Committee, Mason County Sports Hall of Fame, Ludington-Epworth Committee and board of directors of West Shore Bank.

• Erin Doan. Doan is the owner of Erin Doan Insurance in Scottville. He was nominated by his employees. He is involved with West Shore Pregnancy Care Center, HELP Ministries, West Shore Youth for Christ and Mason County Reformed Church.

• Lakeshore Civic Players. Downtown businessman Andy Thomas nominated the civic players. The production company was founded in 2009. “Players have defied all odds to bring quality entertainment while raising awareness on very important subjects,” Thomas wrote.