Sample Platinum Award Winning Nomination - John J. Craig (2006)

Nominated by: Barbara Aston-Wash

WHY MY NOMINEE DESERVES TO WIN…

At age 88, John J. Craig is a man in the know, always on the go - a human dynamo to be sure.

Spry and energetic, his walking routine and three-times-weekly water aerobics keep him healthy and in good shape. He cuts his own acre-plus lawn with a self-propelled lawn mower, raises a yard full of beautiful flowers and a backyard garden of many veggies. He also grows cantaloupes, strawberries and blueberries in season. Seeds and the fruits of his gardens he generously shares with his family, friends and neighbors.

His backyard is also sanctuary for some 32 species of birds that enjoy the well-supplied birdfeeders and the fresh waters he keeps in the birdbaths. Not surprising, John and Hazel, his bride of soon-to-be-60 years, are avid bird watchers.

While retired from a career in insurance, he might as easily have been in construction. He canes chairs, refinishes furniture and continues to improve his home and grounds, recently enclosing a front porch and constructing a picket fence. Currently he's building a brick bridge across a stream in the back yard.

Since his wife is mobility challenged, he does the grocery shopping and gets her to doctors' appointments. He does the same for neighbors who no longer drive and takes in their mail and newspapers when they cannot get out. His assistance kept a next door neighbor, recently deceased, out of a nursing home for several years.

Friends call him the "Mayor of Holston Hills." His active membership in Holston Hills Community Club has a 42-year tenure during which time he has helped to beautify and maintain the entrance to Holston Hills. He is also active as a member of Town Hall East and as chairman of Project 26, sponsored by the Knoxville City Service Departments, he greets and helps educate newcomers to the community as to services and how to avail themselves of them.

Until last year he was chairman of the Republican Party in the 31st Ward for 21 years and worked the polls during every election, which he continues to do. He was a member of the East Knoxville Kiwanis, and a past chairman of the Key Clubs at Holston and Austin East High Schools.

Dear to his heart is his church work, though it does not end at the doors to the church. He lives it. For two decades he has been a deacon at First Baptist Church. He has served as general secretary of the Sunday School and teacher at Vacation Bible School which he continues to do. He is also cashier for the church kitchen meals on Wednesday evenings and at other functions. He is also a member of the Golden Notes Choir.

When First Baptist members were creating ornaments for Chrismon trees at the church, he became involved and so enjoyed the process, he later made over 100 Chrismon ornaments for his own tree that took over 1,000 hours and a great deal of patience, research and creativity. He has taught many area church groups the craft and history of Chrismons from Corryton to Lenoir City.

John and his wife have made thousands of Apple Stack Cakes from scratch, using her mother's 100 year old recipe, many of which they sold during the Dogwood Arts Festival, then to others who learned of them, and now available only to close friends and as personal gifts to friends and family on birthdays and holidays. For his infinite humanitarianism - his love and concern for his wife, his kindnesses to family, friends and neighbors, his church involvement, his civic and community service, his dedication to keeping himself fit so he can be of service to others - he deserves to be a Platinum Award Winner!