On Sept. 25, a capacity crowd gathered at the Country Club of Salisbury for the Civitan Club of Salisbury’s annual awards and installation banquet. Linda Jones, club president for 2013-2014, presided.

Prior to dinner, the Civitan Men’s Quartet consisting of Dr. Norman Sloop, Dennis Rogers, Nick Gennett and Frank Goodnight, sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” Dr. Sloop gave the invocation. Inell Littlejohn Allen, 2013-2014 governor of Civitan West District, brought greetings.

The following awards and plaques were presented:

• Bill Adams Rookie of the Year: This award was recently named for the late Bill Adams. His widow, daughter, and son-in-law attended the event. The winners were Vickie Harris and Catherine Dalton, who were so active during their first year that they were elected club officers.

• M. M “Chub” Richards Civitan of the Year: Janet Opdyke won for her persistent work as treasurer to strengthen club finances.

• Citizen of the Year: Elizabeth Cook, editor of the Salisbury Post, received this prestigious award for the capable way she handled her responsibilities as editor and her work strengthening laws that govern open meetings and records across the state.

• The Tip Harrison Recruitment Award was given to John Sofley, who recruited three new members to the club during the year.

Civitan District West awards were recognized. Mark Beymer was the Outstanding Club Secretary for the District. He was elected as the 2014-2015 governor for District West. The Faust family was recognized as the Civitan District West Family of the Year for generations of family membership, beginning with the late Milton Faust, current members Rev. Eric Faust and James Faust, and the younger generation of Junior Civitans.

Two Club Honor Keys were presented, one to Nathan Dickert for his role as “the Spaghetti King,” and Linda Jones received one for her years of active involvement and outstanding leadership as club president.

Gov. Allen then installed the club officers for 2014-2015, challenging them to be “Civitan Hometown Heroes—Rolling Up Our Sleeves.” They are: John Sofley, president; Karen South Jones, president-elect; Denise Daugherty, vice president; Vickie Harris, secretary; and Catherine Dalton, treasurer.

In her State of the Club remarks, Linda Jones thanked several club members by name. She then passed the presidential gavel to John Sofley. John encouraged everyone to recruit new members. “Although the club recruited 18 members the past year,” he said, “we also lost 17, so the gain in membership was one.”

The Rev. Bill Adams and Elon Massey, who died during the last year, were remembered with candles and framed photographs at the head table.

All year long, club members have kidded Linda for not being taller. As a final surprise, the club presented her with a bowler hat to increase her height. It was topped with a working light bulb.

For more information, contact Club Secretary Vickie Harris at 704-680-4317.