Chamber honor individuals, businesses, organizations for being difference-makers

“Living is the art of loving. Loving is the art of caring. Caring is the art of sharing. Sharing is the art of living. If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” — Booker T. Washington.

Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce President Julie Beck used Washington’s inspirational quote to describe the people, businesses and organizations that make a difference in the Mount Olive community and in the lives of the people who live here.

“Tonight our award winners have done just that,” Beck said. “They have lived, loved, cared, shared and lifted up other people and because of that they have made a difference in our community.”

Beck made her comments Tuesday night, Feb. 6, during the Chamber’s annual banquet and awards ceremony held at Southern Wayne Country Club.

Honored were: R&R Brewing and the Exchange Club of Mount Olive, Moses E. King Contributions to the Community Award; Bill Bryan, Ruff Huggins Community Service Award; Southern Ground Coffee Shop, Small Business of the Year; Karla Smith, Distinguished Educator of the Year; Steve Wiggins, Distinguished Senior Citizen; Carrie Shields, Spirit of the Chamber Award; Mt. Olive Pickle Co., Business of the Year; Hunter Merritt, Distinguished Youth; and Melissa Kilpatrick, Lillian B. Langley Award.

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Bill Bryan, executive chairman of the Mt. Olive Pickle Co., received the Ruff Huggins Lifetime Community Service Award.

This is not an annual award, but is presented only when an individual is deemed worthy of winning it.

It is given to an individual who has consistently donated their time, resources and dedication to the Mount Olive community year after year after year, and who does not expect recognition or payment for services rendered.

The award is named in memory of Ruff Huggins, former mayor of Mount Olive and a long-standing Chamber member and supporter.

Bryon Bryan accepted the award on behalf of his father who was traveling for business and unable to attend the event.

“This our biggest award that we give out every year,” Beck stressed. “This year’s recipient leads by example, both professionally and personally.

“He believes that companies should be good corporate citizens by supporting the town of Mount Olive, community, Mount Olive Chamber of Commerce, N.C. Pickle Festival and local businesses.”

Bryan serves on the Mount Olive Community Development Corp.; volunteers with a monthly food drive; is an active member of the Mount Olive Methodist Church Peanut Crew; and is an active member and supporter of a variety of agricultural organizations, she added.

He and his wife Scottie have two adult sons, Bryon and Will, and four grandchildren.

Bryon Bryan accepted the award on behalf of his father reading a prepared statement by the elder Bryan thanking the Chamber and selection committee for the honor.

Bryan said in his statement that he had the great privilege and pleasure of knowing and often working with Huggins in his role as a community bank= serving the area and also in many of his public and community service roles.

“Ruff provided great leadership to our town with his service as a town commissioner, Planning Board member and mayor,” the statement continued. “He provided volunteer services over countless years to community boards and committees too numerous to try to list here.

“Ruff served with great integrity and a quite and gracious, but a very determined leadership style. I am honored to receive an award named for such an outstanding community leader, and join the list of other distinguished community leaders who have received this recognition in past years.”

Bryan said in the statement that he has been fortunate to work most of his career at Mt. Olive Pickle Co., an organization that has allowed him many opportunities to engage in numerous community activities over the years.

The company was founded in 1926 by many of the same citizens who founded and led the Chamber, he continued.

“And although I am sure they hoped for a small profit on their investment, history indicates that the primary driver to create the company was to bring benefits to local farmers which would benefit the Mount Olive community,” the statement added.

“Our shareholders and directors since that time have honored that sense of community engagement and service and encourage our employees to get involved.”

In his comments Bryan also recognized his late parents, Bryon and Doris Bryan, whom he thanked for instilling in him the importance of giving back.

Bryan also thanked his wife for being the anchor of their family throughout his years of work and service.

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In a first, there was a tie for the Moses E. King Contributions to the Community Award that was presented to R&R Brewing and to the Exchange Club of Mount Olive.

The award is given to an organization, civic club, group or business that does good deeds for the community. The award can be based on a one-time event or a series of events over several years.

The award is named in memory of the late Moses E. King, former owner/operator of Piggly Wiggly. King was a long-standing member and supporter of the Chamber.

Started five years ago, R&R Brewing was the first of its kind in Mount Olive and has been community focused since its opening, presenter Stephanie Voris said.

Owner and Mount Olive native Ryan Roberts has been actively involved with the Chamber, N.C. Pickle Festival and Pickles, Pigs and Swigs. He introduced food trucks to the community and holds a variety of activities and events including a reverse raffle, cookie decorating, Wine and Design class, bridal showers, baby showers, office parties and chili cook-offs, Voris added.

The business makes donations to a variety of organizations and nonprofit groups and gives back to the community, she said.

It created Pickletown Lager for the N.C. Pickle Festival.

The business allows meetings to be held on site including N.C. Coast Host meetings and N.C. Association of Festivals and Events.

The Exchange Club of Mount Olive partnered with the Chamber for the Christmas tree lighting by adding new elements to the event and by providing manpower to run them.

The club recognizes high school students of the month and provides scholarships.

It brings in speakers at its weekly meetings to keep members informed about community projects and businesses.

The club coordinates the Fourth of July events in Westbrook Park and partners with Friends of the Parks, Mount Olive Parks and Recreation and other community groups for various events and projects.

It will add a Field of Flags this May in conjunction with Memorial Day where people will be able to purchase flags in memory or honor of military personnel, first responders and law enforcement.

The club donated 50 teddy bears to the Mount Olive Children’s Advocacy Center to provide comfort to children who have been abused, It also gave 25 teddy bears to the Mount Olive Police Department to be made available to children involved in any type of stressful situation.

It purchased benches for the Mount Olive Veterans Memorial and sponsored a Recreation Department basketball team.

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Melissa Kilpatrick was presented the Lillian B. Langley Award.

The award is named in memory of Langley who was a long-serving Chamber board member. It is presented to the individual who has gone above and beyond to serve the Chamber and community.

Kilpatrick, incoming Chamber board chairman, is one of the first to arrive to help set up events and stays after events to help clean up, Beck said.

She has been a board member for two years and has participated in all major Chamber events including the Reverse Raffle, N.C. Pickle Festival, Morning Mingles and annual banquet and Christmas activities.

Kilpatrick plays an active role in planning and implementing the N.C. Pickle Festival and Pickles, Pigs and Swigs.

She served on the Cycle NC Committee (where 700 cyclists came to Mount Olive) and attends all Chamber meetings and provides input.

Kilpatrick is willing to take on extra tasks from writing new policies to creating new programs, Beck said.

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Hunter Merritt, a senior at Southern Wayne High School, Dudley, received the Distinguished Youth Award.

“He is an intelligent and genuine young man who is sure to find success in his future endeavors,” said presenter Amberley Davis.

The award is presented to a high school student who attends Southern Wayne, North Duplin or Spring Creek high schools; has a 3.0 or higher GPA; and exemplifies being a well-rounded youth in scholarship, leadership and community service.

Merritt, 17, has a 4.36 GPA and is a Park Scholarship finalist at N.C. State University. He is a Presidential Scholar at the University of Mount Olive. He plans to attend either N.C. State or UMO an study veterinary medicine.

He works with Dr. Mark Sasser at Waylin Animal Clinic where he has more than 150 hours of shadowing Dr. Sasser.

A member of Boy Scout Troop, 200, he is an Eagle Scout who did his Eagle Scout project at UMO.

The son of Geoffrey and Jennifer Merritt, he is captain of the Southern Wayne golf team, secretary of the school’s Spanish National Honor Society and a lifeguard at the Southern Wayne Country Club.

He has a sister, Anna Grace.

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Carver Elementary School Principal Karla Smith received the Distinguished Educator Award presented to an educator at a local school who goes above and beyond in the classroom and in the community.

Smith is a wonderful teacher who is patient working with students, staff and parents, presenter Melissa Kilpatrick said.

Smith is active with Carver’s PTSO and advocates for parental and teacher engagement to enhance the learning environment for all students, Kilpatrick said.

She is tough when she needs to be while also being considerate, kind and nurturing, Kilpatrick added.

Smith is a Partner in Education with the Chamber and is a strong supporter of the Mount Olive Christmas Parade, allowing the Chamber to use the school parking lot for the parade lineup.

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Steve Wiggins was presented the Distinguished Senior Citizen Award given to a person over the age of 60 who has demonstrated qualities of leadership during their lifetime and particularly after they become a senior citizen.

Wiggins, former Mount Olive at-large town commissioner and mayor pro-tem, is chairman of the Mount Olive Community Development Corp.

He is a member of the Exchange Club of Mount Olive, Pickles, Pigs and Swigs Committee, Mount Olive Revitalization Committee and chairman of the Mount Olive Veterans Memorial Committee.

Presenter Edward Olive praised Wiggins for working tirelessly to represent the town and community. He is willing to donate his time and service to many projects and has made a positive impact on the community, Olive continued.

“Although he is no longer on the town board, he remains a faithful supporter to help Mount Olive be a better place for those who follow him,” Olive said.

Wiggins and his wife Hazel have two adult sons.

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Mt. Olive Pickle Co. was honored as Business of the Year.

This award goes to a business that is a Chamber member and that has expanded or grown and contributes to the economic development of the community. It is a business that continuously donates to causes and supports the community (civic groups, athletic teams, University of Mount Olive, fundraisers, etc.) in various ways. It is a business that goes above and beyond to serve its customers.

Mt. Olive Pickle Co. is one of the area’s largest employers and provides stable, competitive paying employment in Mount Olive and Goldsboro, presenter Edward Olive said.

It gives back to the community in large and small ways from financial donations to local community organizations to giving donations of products to events and organizations around the state and country, Olive said.

The company is presenting sponsor for the N.C. Pickle Festival and Pickles, Pigs and Swigs. Its New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop was among USA Today’s Top 10 such events.

It is a strong sponsor of the University of Mount Olive, sponsors youth athletic programs and sponsored the downtown Pickle Mural.

The company allows employees to become involved in civic organizations and has an employees’ fund that distributes funds to organizations.

It is the No. 1 producer of pickles, peppers and relishes in the U.S.

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Southern Ground Coffee Shop was recognized as Small Business of the Year.

Criteria for the award is that the business be a Chamber member and has expanded or grown and contributes to the economic development of the community and that donates to causes and supports the community (civic groups, athletic teams, University of Mount Olive, fundraisers, etc.) in various ways.

It is a business that goes above and beyond to serve its customers. It must have 15 or fewer employees.

Presenter Lauren Branch called Southern Ground, established just five years ago, one of the best small businesses in Mount Olive.

It provides a beautiful, peaceful location for relaxing and meeting with friends and colleagues and generously offers up space for the Chamber and other organizations, Branch said.

It takes orders and delivers to local schools and offers discounts to educators and is supportive of the community by donating gift cards or products to various fundraisers.

Southern Ground partners with the University of Mount Olive and other small businesses to promote shopping and economic growth, Branch said.

It sells delicious pastries, coffees and smoothies and had to change locations because of its expanded business and need for a drive through and space for people to gather, Branch added.

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Carrie Shields received the Spirit of the Chamber Award.

This award was created to recognize an individual, organization or business that does not fit into any other award category. The recipient is focused on economic development, building community and promotion of Mount Olive — all Chamber characteristics — and that continuously supports the Chamber in its projects, said presenter Kelley Thwaite.

Shields is the former economic development director for Duplin County and is currently assistant Duplin County manager. A Mount Olive native, she is strong advocate for economic and business development in Mount Olive, Thwaite said.

Shields is a member of the Chamber board of directors, Pickles, Pigs and Swigs Committee and Wayne County Entrepreneurial Committee.

She is a graduate of the N.C. Rural Center Homegrown Leadership Program and a supporter of the N.C. Troopers Association Caisson Unit.

Shields was praised for always being willing to share ideas to ensure Mount Olive continues to grow, prosper and overcome adversity. She also is willing to serve on many committees and boards to give input and to improve the area by using non-traditional approaches, often times thinking outside the box, Thwaite said.

Shields has a daughter, Belle.