2023 LAB Main Street Alabama Annual Conference and Award Banquet
Main Street Alabama held its tenth annual LAB Annual Conference in Huntsville The Awards of Excellence Banquet was to celebrate the successes of local programs. The event was sponsored by Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and Alfa Companies. Main Street Alabama's President and State Coordinator, Mary Helmer Wirth, and Assistant State Coordinator, Trisha Black, recognized projects and individuals who made significant contributions to their communities. The Awards of Excellence program highlighted the tremendous impacts of these honorees in their respective areas.
Chloe Salinas and Darrelyn Dunmore with the Community Hero award. Which Chloe accepted on behalf of the Foley Art Center.
Lisa Miller of Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, Chair of the Main Street Alabama Advisory Council
Byard, Mary Wirth and Paul Carruthers. Paul was recognized for his leadership with the Alice Bowsher Main Street Alabama Leadership Award. Paul served on the Main Street board in the early years – when we were still forming our identity and becoming who we are today. His belief in the Main Street Approach is inspiring and he lives that in both his personal and professional life, giving of his time and expertise, always willing to listen and one of the first to say – “hey, I can help with that”. He took the lead on our development committee and is now co-chair of the fundraising committee for Main Street Now – the National Main Street Conference coming to Alabama in 2024.
Hollis Interiors won an Awards of Excellence in Historic Preservation Award Pictured Kelly Hollis, Tootsie Hollis-Allen Carolyne & Wayne Hollis and Mayor Ralph Hellmich.
Wayne Dyess, Darrelyn Dunmore, Kristin Hellmich and Mayor Ralph Hellmich accept the ten million merit award.
Foley Main Street Board member Kristin Hellmich, Foley Art Center Executive Director Chloe Salinas and Foley Main Street Executive Director Darrelyn Dunmore accepted the Promotion Award of Excellence for the CATalyst event.
City of Foley Executive Director of Planning and Infrastructure Wayne Dyess and Mayor Ralph Hellmich accept the Award of Excellence for Planning and Public Space.
Anthony Daniels, Alabama State Representative representing Huntsville welcomed the attendees
Lisa Miller of Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, Chair of the Main Street Alabama Advisory Council
Jim Byard, volunteer President of Main Street Alabama welcomes the attendees to the Main Street Alabama Awards Banquet
The wonderful Main Street Alabama staff. Tanya Maloney, Mary Wirth, Trisha Black, and Jennifer Schuette
Chloe Salinas, Wayne Dyess and Darrelyn Dunmore at the Community Leaders reception where Chloe accepted the award on behalf of the Foley Art Center.
Community Leader award reception at LAB 2023
Kim Oritz, Grant Coordinator for the City of Tuskegee, Foley Main Street Director Darrelyn Dunmore, and Foley Art Center Executive Director Chloe Salinas enjoy the Community Hero awards reception
The 2023 LAB Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence Banquet
The Awards of Excellence. Created by Sam Horowitz, was chosen, and he made the nearly 50 awards. In his words, Horowitz explains that he is a futurist, sculptor, professor, and mad scientist beginning his teaching at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey this fall. He was an Artist in Residence and Shop Steward at Sloss Metal Arts in Birmingham until the end of this summer. The awards he created for Main Street Alabama are the results of his current fascination with the ability of molten iron to record time. Each oval was poured open face, and Horowitz drew a tool through the casting before the iron had solidified. The window of time when this is possible is slim - if the iron is too hot, the metal fills in the mark like water swallowing a sandcastle. If the metal is too cool, it is as resistant to the tool as, well, iron. Thus, as each mark must be made in a specific moment, each award recognizes a specific achievement. By the unity of the physics and metallurgy that describes this process, all are joined in common purpose, and celebrated in their excellence and impact on the community.
