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Ken |
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| The 1993 winner of the coveted Grindstone Award for Community Service is a man who uniquely combines both vision and action. Coupled with a very real sense of community and a willingness to give unstintingly of himself, the Award winner, Ken McCarthy, exemplifies the very best qualities of selfless service - to people and to Berea. A Cleveland native, Ken is a born artist and is endowed with great many creative talents. By the time he graduated from Midpark High his art talents were well recognized. He later had photographs accepted by Cleveland's May Show and had lent his design ability to create the famous Chessie System railroad logo. Ken also designed logos for Berea's Grindstone Festival and the Arts Fest. He fine-tuned his already well-proven capabilities at the Cooper School of Art and launched a career as a commercial artist and photographer. Ken married his childhood sweetheart, Donna, in 1971, and six years later bought the venerable Gorman's Photo and Hobby Shop on the Triangle. His interests and involvements in Berea grew and he became active in Discover Berea / Chamber of Commerce. After he and Donna had two sons, Jay and Taylor, Ken participated with the boys in Cub Scouts and Little League baseball. Twelve years ago he spearheaded a movement by the Chamber to initiate a festival that would celebrate Berea's past and hail its future. The result was the Grindstone Festival, now celebrated over the July 4 holiday. Five years ago (1989), Ken was active in the formation of Berea's Arts Fest and it was his vision as well as his active participation that helped launch one of Berea's most successful public events. He is now president of the Arts Fest. Berea Jaycees, the Committee for Good Schools, adult education and Berea Area Historical Society have all benefited from his interest and talents. Ken McCarthy is the original "Mr. Nice Guy" (who says 'nice guys don't win?'). He believes Berea is special - now Berea returns that regard in saluting Ken as its Citizen of the Year. |
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| Presented April 23, 1994 | Holiday Inn Middleburg Heights | ||||||||||