Rose Marie Farrar’s husband, Steve Farrar, kept secret for about a month her award for Clarkston Citizen of the Year.
Near the end, though, he couldn’t contain himself.
‘He kept asking me if I got anything in the mail,? Rose Marie said. ‘I said I got something from the chamber, but I thought it was a joke or mistake. He said he was so proud ? you won citizen of the year!?
‘I thought it was great, terrific, well deserved,? Steve said.
‘It was a real surprise to me,? Rose Marie said.
Rose Marie and fellow Clarkston Community Award winners were honored at a breakfast reception May 22 at Deer Lake Banquet Center, hosted by Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce.
The award selection committee used a rubric, a type of checklist measuring specific achievements on sliding scales, to determine award winners out of the 40 nominations.
‘This year’s nominations were particularly strong,? said Anita Banach, co-chair of the award selection committee along with Kelly Hyer of Independence Township Parks and Recreation, and Johnna Goodwin, Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce.
‘In past years, it was so close more than one award was given out (in a single category) ? that’s why we followed a rubric.?
Some were still close enough to require discussion, she said.
‘There are so many people giving back,? Hyer said. ‘This is truly a celebration of community volunteerism, the unsung heroes of our community.?
‘They’re all top flight nominations,? Goodwin said.
Awardees also included Jim Schultz, Community Preservation; Farm and Garden Club, Community Beautification; Anita Demster, Adult-Youth Volunteer; TEAM RUSH, Community Enhancement; Paul Klein, of Distinctive Landscape, Business Person of the Year; Academic Service Learning, Community Collaboration; and Elizabeth Hawthorne, Young Person of the Year.
Schultz was honored for his work organizing Clarkston’s Barn Tour.
‘I try to do my little bit to help stop the vanishing of this very important icon of Americana,? Schultz said. ‘They’re disappearing very fast.?
The tour, offered in the fall, is an incentive to preserve the barns, he said.
‘Maybe the people who own the barns will realize they have something important, if all these people pay money to see them,? he said.
Children’s Literary Gardens at Independence Township Library earned Clarkston Farm and Garden Club a nod.
‘I’m very honored to be the people to receive this award for all of us who have worked so hard,? said Susan Sajdak, representing the club. ‘I think it makes the community look so beautiful.?
Demster volunteers with Meals on Wheels, Clarkston United Methodist Church, Clarkston Farm and Garden Club, PEO Sisterhood, Clarkston Area Youth Assistance, and other causes.
‘Thank you, is all I can say,? she said. ‘It’s a real privilege to receive this award. I’d like to represent all volunteers ? I know how many volunteer hours the Clarkston community gets.?
Klein and Distinctive Landscape planted and maintain flowerbeds in and around Depot Park, at no cost to Clarkston, and donated landscape service to a local family in need.
‘I’m just glad I could give something back to the community,? Klein said.
Academic Service Learning involved 43 Clarkston teachers, joining with local businesses and groups to serve the community while teaching the curriculum.
‘I’m very honored, very thankful,? said Sue Wilson, coordinator. ‘It combines community service with what students are already learning in the classroom. We have a great partnership will all the businesses ? we’re having a lot of fun.?
Hawthorne, Miss Michigan Teen USA and Clarkston High School senior, volunteers with local blood drives, Taste of Clarkston, Friendly Forest, Grace Center for Hope in Pontiac, Clarkston Coalition for Youth, National Osteoporosis Foundation, and many other organizations.
‘This is such an honor,? Hawthorne said. ‘Volunteering is something I love to do.?
Team RUSH won the Motorola Robot Award at First Robotics World Championships last week in Atlanta. The awards reflect the team’s desire to honor teammate John Lafata, who died in October.
‘The season is dedicated to John,? Hughes said. ‘He loved robots so much. The team went all out ? this is a tremendous dedication for him.?
Terri Nallamothu nominated Rose Marie for her volunteer work with Guardian Angels for Lighthouse, nursing homes, Oakhurst Helping Hands, Open Your Heart, Breast Cancer 3 Day, Turkey Trot, and other projects.
She started serving the community when she was young, she said.
‘In the Girl Scouts, we would visit a nursing home on the weekends ? it was the natural thing to do,? she said.
Her parents, who came to America from the former Yugoslavia, believed in giving back as a way to thank their new country, she said.
‘They said they were so lucky to be here, that giving back is something we should all do,? she said.
As individuals and community groups get busy on summer projects, people should consider who should be nominated for next year’s community awards, Hyer said.
Nominations are accepted beginning in February.

Awards honor volunteers, activists:
Community Preservation: Jim Schultz
Community Beautification: Children’s Literary Gardens,
Farm & Garden Club
Adult-Youth Volunteer: Anita Demster
Community Enhancement: TEAM RUSH, CHS Robotics Team
Business Person of the Year: Paul Klein, Distinctive Landscape
Community Collaboration: Academic Service Learning
Young Person of the Year: Elizabeth Hawthorne
Citizen of the Year: Rose Marie Farrar