Kay Raynor presented Bill Scott with the first ever Kay Raynor Award at the first Clinton Main Street Program awards banquet since 2020.
The Clinton Main Street Program held its first annual award program and banquet since 2020 on Thursday, Feb. 6, upstairs at Alfredo’s in Clinton.
The Clinton Main Street Program began holding award recognition dinners in 2015 and discontinued the dinner in 2021 due to Covid. Staff and the Clinton Development Corporation board of directors made the decision to bring the dinner back in 2025, as a way to celebrate their volunteers and also give special recognition in the form of awards to those who have made significant contributions to downtown Clinton.
“It is nice to be able to gather together with committee members, volunteers, staff and our award winners this evening to celebrate each of you and your contributions to the Clinton Main Street Program and Downtown Clinton,” said Planning Director / Main Street Director Mary M. Rose.
“We are pleased to be able to bring this celebration back after several years of not having the event, our last event was held in January of 2020, and we all know what happened to disrupt our world at that time,” she added.
Awards were presented to Sam and Amanda Underwood for their vibrant and creative window displays which attract attention from those who travel past their business; Jess and Wally Bashlor, for their creative marketing by way of social media as well as use of creativity in marketing specialty beverages for various holidays and special occasions; Grace Ho Yang and Ken Yang for their acquisition and redevelopment of their property at 121 Vance Street; Joyce and Scott Owen for their acquisition and redevelopment of the property at 308 College Street and to Sampson Partners, and accepted by Johnny Pridgen and Paul Viser for Artworks located at 306 Vance Street.
The Thank You Award was also presented to two individuals who were deserving of the Clinton Main Street Program’s appreciation for their contributions to Downtown. Alison Carr was recognized with a Thank You Award for portraying not one but two characters who made Downtown events successful. Alison has been enthusiastic in her portrayal of Ali the Elf for several years as part of the Christmas in the City events. In 2024, she added another portrayal of Rowena Herring to her schedule, by assisting the Promotion Committee in their Brunch & Bows shopping event. Alison dressed in period costume as she portrayed the wife of the original owner of the Historic Herring House during a afternoon tea held as part of the Brunch & Bows event.
The second Thank You Award of the evening was presented to Donnie Lamm, owner of Nissan of Clinton for his sponsorship of the carousel which was part of the 2023 Christmas in the City event. Children and adults alike enjoyed the carousel which only added excitement to the Christmas season in the heart of our community.
The Preservation Award was presented to George E. Wilson and family for their continued efforts to restore and preserve historic properties within the Clinton Downtown Commercial National Register Historic District. Accepting the award was Sharlene Tew and Regina Parker on behalf of their family.
The Legacy Award is presented to a Downtown business or property owner that has been open or owned property for more than five years and has proven they best embody the essence of downtown: friendly, personal, neighborly, and support the community and/or the Clinton Main Street Program. The Legacy Award was presented to WCLN and accepted by Ron Davis and Robert Stroud.
The end of the award ceremony came with a surprise announcement of the designation of the Kay Raynor Volunteer of the Year Award.
“Sometimes a person shines so bright and works so hard they deserve to have an award named after them,” noted Rose. “Kay Raynor is this person for Downtown Clinton. From planting and watering plants to straightening Christmas trees, lights, and decorations, Kay is always Downtown working to help make Downtown Clinton a better place.”
The Kay Raynor Volunteer of the Year award went to Mr. Bill Scott.
Scott was called upon in 2024 to assist the Clinton Main Street Program with forming a 501c3 non-profit which is now Clinton Downtown Initiatives, Inc. and with a board of directors who have met and worked together in seeking and distributing a $50,000 Duke Energy Grant for our Downtown businesses in 2024.