Banquet honors citizens' service
By Melinda Harrell
Published in News on February 9, 2015 1:46 PM
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Award winners from the 2015 Mount Olive Chamber/Jaycees' annual banquet included, from left, front row, Bryce Ficken III, Arlene Talton, Ray Thompson; back row, Adam Livengood, Ryan Berglund and Lynn Williams.
MOUNT OLIVE -- Surprise was the sentiment of the evening at the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce/Jaycees Banquet Thursday. Award recipients said they had no clue that they were to be honored for their service to the community.
The Mount Olive Jaycees and Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce recognized six individuals and one business during the annual banquet at the University of Mount Olive in categories spanning from the Jaycees' Outstanding Public Servant Award to the Chamber's Ruff Huggins Award to the presentation of the key to the town.
Commissioner Ray Thompson was the recipient of the Ruff Huggins Lifetime Community Service Award, which recognizes a life of outstanding public service.
"I am just floored," Thompson said. "I didn't know anything about this."
Thompson served on the Mount Olive Rescue Squad for 40 years, serving in numerous leadership roles. He has served on as a town commissioner since 1999 and prior to that served on the planning board for 12 years. He has been a Lions Club member for 32 years and a member of the Christian Church for 50 years.
"I enjoyed every minute of it," Thompson said with a smile.
Lynn Williams received a special recognition, with Mayor Ray McDonald and town commissioners presenting her with the key to the town.
"She has touched every life here and always does it right," McDonald said.
"She is the type of person that when she sees something that needs to be done, she doesn't say, 'We'll do it tomorrow or the next day,' she does it."
McDonald cited her committed work in raising the $35,000 to have the new Steele Memorial Library built. He said that when the county commissioners requested the town raise that much money before they would help Mrs. Williams saw it as an opportunity instead of an obstacle.
"I have to say I was a little surprised. Y'all got one on me tonight. I was a little suspicious when I saw my parents though," Mrs. Williams said.
"It was all of you and all the people that gave," Mrs. Williams said about raising the money.
"It worked out the way it should. Every last dime that was pledged was paid. That is the remarkable thing about this community. I am very proud to be a part of it," Mrs. Williams said.
Adam Livengood was the recipient of the Mount Olive Chamber's Lillian B. Langley Award. The award is presented to the distinguished chamber member that goes above and beyond in efforts for the chamber.
Livengood has served for three years on the board and is very active recruiter for the chamber. He has supported the chamber financially and is the owner and operator of Mount Olive Physical Therapy.
"I am extremely surprised and humbled," Livengood said.
"This award is about the help I have given, but the last years showed me more. The work I have done with the chamber has given me a whole lot more than I ever gave."
The Jaycees recognized Bryce Ficken III with the N.C. Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.
The award is an equivalent to a citizen of the year award for the Jaycees, recognizing a person's volunteer service to the community.
Ficken came to the banquet under the impression that he would be leading the Pledge of Allegiance. To his surprise, he was honored for leading in service.
"It is an honor to be a part of this proud tradition of Mount Olive. I am so shocked I won. It is a privilege and honor to be on this short list of Distinguished Service Award winners," Ficken said.
He has been a member of Indian Springs Volunteer Fire Department for more than 10 years and has also served on the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce's board of directors as well as being a member of the Mount Olive Kiwanis Club.
He coaches middle school football and basketball as well. He began working at Ficken Blackwelder Insurance and has been a major part of the growth of that company.
The Jaycees Outstanding Senior Citizens Award was presented to Arlene Talton.
"I thought my son who is a physician in town was getting an award," Mrs. Talton said.
"I was very happy and shocked. I looked at my son and thought, 'You weren't exactly truthful,' but I still love him."
During the presentation of the award, Cecil Columbus lauded Mrs. Talton, noting that she is one of the longest serving municipal employees in the state.
The Jaycees Outstanding Public Service Award went to Ryan Berglund, who is also the owner and operator of Rain Barrels International.
His business also won the Small Business of the Year Award Thursday night as well.
Berglund not only operates a business, but he is also a University of Mount Olive student studying agriculture education and serves on the Mount Olive Fire Department. He began Rain Barrels International when he was only 12 years old.