The Chapel Hill Historical Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has been honoring Town Treasures since 2008.
“We honor all of our citizens, of course, in Chapel Hill, but ‘treasures’ are people who are special to us,” said Sarah Geer, president of the Chapel Hill Historical Society, “They have a long tradition of giving and being involved in the community.”
This year, Pam Hemminger, mayor of Chapel Hill and Lydia Lavelle, mayor of Carrboro, presented the awards to their respective town citizens.
Hemminger presented awards to Lula Alston, Shirley and Marvin Block, Woody Durham, Henry Jones, Gordon Neville and Lisa Price. Lavelle honored George Lensing and Peggy Misch.
“It’s my privilege to be here as a part of this celebration to help introduce some of the accomplishments of our Town Treasures,” Hemminger said.
Alston was honored for her work with UNC Hospitals since 1968 and Chapel Hill Second Baptist Church since 1954. She is a member of numerous community organizations including the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
Shirley and Marvin Block were honored for Shirley’s work with the Carolina Friends Lower School, the Cedars Scholarship Committee and PORCH for hunger relief and Marvin’s work with Senior Centers of Chapel Hill and service as chairperson of the Human Services Commission of Orange County.
Hemminger said the Blocks, who have been married for 67 years, were founding members of the Kehillah Synagogue, now consisting of 160 members and a five-star preschool.