IRVINGTON — The Historic Irvington Community Council bestowed their annual Founder’s Awards on Sunday, Oct. 20 in the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. The Founder’s Awards are given to Irvington area individuals, businesses, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the overall quality of life in the neighborhood. The HICC has given the awards since 2011. Artist Laura Hildreth created each unique certificate, inspired by the individual or business contribution to the neighborhood.
This year’s recipients included The Weekly View’s co-owners and publishers Judy Crawford, Paula Nicewanger, and Ethel Winslow for their work in providing a newspaper that shares positive and important news for the community, as well as providing a platform for local writing. The award came hours before CBS 4 Indy news featured the newspaper on its 11:30 p.m. newscast.
Mike and Mary Lee Spilbeler, owners of the Irvington Picture Frame Company, also received an award for their community activism and business contributions to the Irvington neighborhood. Kent Hankins and Bill Aughe were recognized for their community-building activities, especially behind the scenes at the Halloween Festival and countless other activities. Jan DeFerbrache, owner of the Magic Candle and director of Gaia Works food pantry, was also honored for her long-standing business presence in the neighborhood and her tireless efforts to provide assistance to those in need in the community year-round.
The 2019 recipients join many local businesses, organizations and individuals who have also been recognized over the last eight years.
In addition to the Founder’s Award, the winner of the “Presenting Irvington Artists” exhibition at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center was announced. This year’s winner was Paula Nicewanger for her poster art for the Black Hat Society. Paula is a graduate of the Herron School of Art, and is the Creative Director for the Weekly View.
