Joe Hornaday
Just a few of the people who make Greensburg a great place to live were honored Monday night, at a reception and Sesquicentennial celebration honoring ten people and organizations that embody the Greensburg spirit.
The Spirit of Greensburg Awards venerated several local people who have spent years making sure the goings-on in Greensburg continued smoothly. Sally Koors, who emceed the reception at the Hampton Inn and Suites, said that the Spirit of Greensburg Award recipients each have given unselfishly of their time, talents and volunteerism.
“They are the centers of the past, present and future,” she said.
Mayor Gary Herbert took to the podium to present the awards and read aloud the letters that got the Spirit Award winners nominated. For the past few months, the Sesquicentennial committee had asked for recommendations and suggestions regarding who to honor for the Greensburg spirit. The decisions were made and the winners were kept in the dark until the ceremony. Mayor Herbert said that each recipient exemplified the true spirit of Greensburg. He did his best not to let the recipient’s name out until the presentation portion, after the letter was read.
The first Spirit of Greensburg winner was Dr. Ricardo Domingo. He had begun his practice in 1967 on the third floor of the Bates building, Herbert explained. Over the years, his practice grew. When his health began decline, he retired. Domingo recently celebrated his 80th birthday.
“I think it’s safe to say he’s speechless,” Edna Domingo said after he received the award.
She added that Ricardo Domingo had enjoyed his work in Greensburg every day. Both Edna and Ricardo Domingo are leaving soon to move upstate.
“But Greensburg will always be our home,” Edna Domingo said.
After a standing ovation following the announcement of his name, Ricardo Domingo offered a simple speech.
“I love you,” he said to another round of applause.
The night’s second award winner was David Fry of the Decatur County Memorial Hospital, who Herbert said had been instrumental in countless projects around Greensburg. Following Fry’s honor, Greensburg residents Joe and Susan Rust were presented with the honor.
“This whole room could be up here getting an award,” Rust said to the crowd. “We’ll be honored for the rest of our lives.”
The next honoree was Laura Johnston of the Greensburg Decatur County Animal Shelter. The letter that got her nominated explained that often animals are the ones who can teach people about unconditional love. The letter went on to say that there are very few people who could go to work every day to euthanize animals and clean out pens. Johnston’s efforts at the Animal Shelter have inspired several local volunteers to start helping out and volunteering their time at the shelter.
Johnston remarked that a phrase she once saw on a T-shirt had stuck with her.
“I am in the world to change the world,” she said. “I will do what I can do the best that I can.”
The next winner of the Spirit Awards was the Clinton Extension Homemakers Club. With 21 members, the group has worked to give locally to Greensburg residents and helped in numerous local endeavors.
Following that, the next winner was Russell Wilhoit, who has worked for years to preserve and celebrate the history of Greensburg and Decatur County. He has taken time to help people who come to Greensburg on vacation research their family histories and worked tirelessly with the Decatur County Historical Society.
When he was given the Spirit Award, Wilhoit was a little choked up, but the crowd could not believe he was speechless. Wilhoit explained that this marked the first time he had ever received an award that didn’t have something to do with sports.
Providing hot and balanced meals to senior citizens was enough for Meals on Wheels and coordinator Diana Robbins to receive the night’s next Spirit of Greensburg Award. Robbins said she simply could not take all of the credit, and much of it belonged to the volunteers who work with the organization.
Mark Gravely, radio personality for local station WTRE, was next to win. Mayor Herbert said that Gravely, though he doesn’t live in Greensburg, has always shown love and concern for the city and its citizens.
“It’s been a very nice stint in Greensburg,” Gravely said after accepting the award.
Gravely noted that the city of Greensburg has something special, and that many communities wish they could have it.
KOVA Fertilizer was the penultimate winner of the Spirit Award Monday night. Richard Reed, along with his three sons Brian, Brad and Todd were the ones to accept the award. Richard Reed said he had always appreciated the help of the community, and that he looked forward to the next 50 years.
The final Spirit of Greensburg Award winner of the night was William H. Robbins, an honoree with which Mayor Herbert said he could not agree more.
Robbins said he was truly humbled to be in the same category as all of the other recipients.
“It’s a great pleasure to receive this award, and I genuinely thank you for it,” Robbins said.
As the evening closed, Mayor Herbert said that there were many just and deserving potential recipients in the Greensburg community.
