Danville museum volunteer honored for service

DANVILLE – The 15 nominees for an annual award are examples of what brings visitors back to Danville, according to the city's mayor.

"As mayor, I hear a lot about what makes people happy and what makes them unhappy," said Scott Eisenhower, emcee for the Recognition of Service Excellence – "ROSE" – awards event on Wednesday. "But what are always good comments come from people from outside our community that were here for special events. I hear what a great experience they had at a hotel or restaurant or events like Arts in the Park, the NJCAA championship tournament or a reunion.

"These are the people who come to town and bring their money and spend it," he added. "The Gutterridges had to do a lot of convincing to get the H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Rally to come here a couple of years ago. The arguments were that we weren't flashy enough, big enough, but since they came here, members keep asking when they get to come back. All they talk about to Linnette and Roger is the hospitality. Special events come and then they return because of the hospitality of our frontline employees and our community volunteers."

The award event on Wednesday at the Danville Boat Club celebrated how Danville area arts groups contribute to the county's tourism.

Entertainment was provided by representatives from the Red Mask Players, Danville Light Opera and the Lincoln Park Theater Company.

Fifteen people were nominated for this year's award, the largest number in the award's 13-year history.

Vivian Stokes, a Vermilion County Museum volunteer, took home the honors with a bouquet of roses, the traveling plaque for the museum to display and a treasure chest of prizes from the local hospitality industry valued at more than $2,500.

Her nominator, Sue Richter, museum director, described Stokes as the ultimate volunteer.

"She's dependable, reliable, courteous and just a sublime person to have at our front desk," Richter said. "She has a wealth of business sense and experience that we rely on for a number of reasons. She keeps us on the right foot and she is so appreciative of the staff, which is why everyone had something to contribute to her nomination application."

Stokes works the desk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with rare exceptions, every Tuesday of the year.

"Once you retire, you need an outlet to get out," Stokes said. "I enjoy working the desk because I meet a lot of interesting people I never would have met, have an opportunity to broaden my interests and get to know the community outside my professional and social circles even better."

"It's truly amazing how many people go through the museum in a year," Stokes said. "From the people that arrive on buses to see the quilt shows to the school children, and they are all a pleasure."

First runner up for the top honor was Natalie Diveley of Jocko's. Second runner up was Doris Madson from Red Lobster.

Twelve other nominees were recognized. Each was nominated by an employer or supervisor for the way they represent their business to the public.

They included: Ella Leasure, McDonald's-Georgetown; Theresa McKee, Lee's Famous Recipe; Joy Hills, Burger-King Main Street; Twila Wadhams, McDonald's-North; Shelby Doggett, McDonald's-Oakwood; Diane Darnell, Burger King-Georgetown; Amy Steeples, Forest Glen Preserve; Dori Stone, Best Western-Regency; Sherry Gettinger, Grossburgers; Linda Cravens, Steak n Shake-North; Ebony Sims, Burger King-North; and Peggy Brewer, McDonald's-South Gilbert.

Also on this date

• Jurors hear from accused in murder of Champaign couple
• Vermilion animal shelter director suspended
• Rankin teen killed in early-morning crash
• Crimestoppers president gets award from FBI
• Sanitary district gets $20 million loan
• Construction near Goodwin, Green to close streets
• St. Joseph-Ogden, UI graduate dies in Baghdad
• UI receives H1N1 vaccine, but not the kind it needs
• Champaign man accused of swindling neighbor
• Obituaries

» More