BUCKHANNON – The City of Buckhannon doled out not one but two Buckhannon Exemplary Service Testimonial – or BEST – awards at city council’s meeting Thursday.
First, mayor David McCauley jointly recognized the husband-and-wife duo, Brad and Kim Lincicome, who have regularly volunteered to chaperone UCARE pool parties at the high school recreational park since the establishment of the organization, Upshur County Alcohol Reduction Effort.
The pool parties put on by UCARE were inspired by the tragic deaths of four Buckhannon-Upshur High School girls in 2008 in a vehicular accident; their purpose is to provide healthy, fun alternatives to drinking and controlled substance use for teens and middle-school-aged students.
“For the past 12 summers, the Lincicomes have regularly chaperoned our UCARE pool parties, serving as disc jockeys and adding great entertainment to our pool parties,” McCauley read in the BEST award proclamation. “Additionally, the Lincicomes have long volunteered for many other B-U charitable causes including our Strawberry Festival, Relay for Life, while being very highly engaged in their church, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.
“Brad and Kim Lincicome have helped us all in our B-U Community to be happier in many ways,” the proclamation continues.
The BEST award shines a light on individuals in the community who demonstrate outstanding volunteerism.
Brad Lincicome and Kim Lincicome were honored as the June BEST award recipients; however, they were unable to attend either of last month’s meetings, and thus shared the stage with July BEST recipient, Dr. Kathy Gregg.
Gregg is a West Virginia Wesleyan College Professor Emerita, the founder of and “single biggest contributor” to Buckhannon’s Nature Park and Learning Trail, located along one of the loops of the Elizabeth J. “Binky” Poundstone Memorial Riverwalk Trail.
“Dr. Gregg has held various offices with the Sierra Club regionally and nationally,” McCauley read in her BEST proclamation. “Her work with orchid conservation throughout West Virginia is legendary. She has served as chair of the Wesleyan Landscape Committee since its inception in 2007, and further is a member of our city’s Landscape Committee.
“Simply stated, there is no greater conservator and protector of our environment than Dr. Kathy Gregg, who has helped us all in our B-U Community to be better and happier in many ways.”
“Simply stated, there is no greater conservator and protector of our environment than Dr. Kathy Gregg, who has helped us all in our B-U Community to be better and happier in many ways.”
Mayor David McCauley
On Oct. 18, 2018, council voted to establish the BEST award in conjunction with the founding of the Buckhannon Volunteer Center to honor Buckhannon-Upshur community residents who engage in extraordinary community service and display a kind and giving spirit of volunteerism.
A BEST bench bearing placards inscribed with the names of Gregg and the Lincicomes – as well as past and future award winners – will be installed in Jawbone Park.
“May every resident be mindful of community service and giving of one’s self and be inspired to give selflessly for the benefit of others as we pay tribute to the many substantial contributions of our exceptional volunteers,” both proclamations conclude.
Previous award recipients include Amanda Hayes, Zachary Mutchler, Robin Keough, Shirley Tinney, Bill Nicholson, Dr. Joe Reed, Dr. Paul Richter and April Pierson-Keating.
