N. Augusta Chamber names Holgates Citizens of the Year
5/13/2008 12:05 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By BILL BENGTSON

North Augusta bureau

NORTH AUGUSTA -- The last few days have been exceptionally busy, so E.J. and Shirley Holgate considered not attending the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting Monday evening. They finally opted to go, however, which worked out well, as they were the evening's top honorees, sharing the organization's 43rd annual "Citizen of the Year" honor.

"This is a wonderful honor and quite a surprise," said Shirley Holgate, a Campobello native who was known to many over the years as a teacher, focusing on social studies and English, and working largely with gifted students at North Augusta Elementary and Paul Knox Middle schools, as well as the Belvedere annex.

E.J. Holgate, a native of Mobridge, S.D., is a retired mechanical engineer who worked for DuPont. He grinned and confirmed that the Holgates' plans for the evening were not exactly set in stone.

"The truth of the matter was, Shirley said, 'I don't think we ought to go this year. We've been too busy doing stuff,' but I said, 'Ah, let's go,' so we came close to not going. As it was, we come regularly, so nobody had to be talked into it."

Introducing the Holgates to the assembly at the North Augusta Community Center was Dr. John Bigger, a retired physician who received the same award in 2003. Before revealing their identities, he noted that they have been described in a nominating letter "simply as a pair of worker bees."

He added, "To me, they're a couple that have done and still do many things well together but also have as individuals added immensely to the betterment of North Augusta."

Bigger pointed out that the two have three sons and are active members of Grace United Methodist Church with roles including changing lights in the sanctuary, helping lead local history- and heritage-focused events, supporting the Nancy Carson Library, doing volunteer carpentry, driving the church bus to pick up senior citizens and helping change the statue of James U. Jackson (North Augusta's founder) from a concept to reality.

"E.J. and Shirley, you epitomize Acts 20:35, which simply says, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,'" Bigger said, pointing out that while the two have given plenty over the years, Monday evening was their time to receive, in the form of the chamber's annual honor for generous, civic-minded neighbors.

Also honored at Monday's assembly were Rechelle Dallas with the Aiken Standard and The (North Augusta) Star and Kathy Williamson with Security Federal Bank. Both were given the chamber's "Ambassador of the Year" Award, in recognition of their service over the past year in chamber activities, representing the organization and helping orchestrate a variety of events.

The featured speaker at this year's event was Brig. Gen. Jeffrey W. Foley, Fort Gordon's commander. The general congratulated chamber leaders and members for their achievements in recent months and cited a broad range of examples of leadership, in conjunction with an acronym - LDRSHIP - that has been used by the Army for the past 10 years, standing for loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, as known as "the seven Army values."

Contact Bill Bengtson at bbengtson@northaugustastar.com.

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