The awards recognize outstanding environmental stewardship and can be given to businesses, individuals, schools, community organizations or civic groups that make an “outstanding commitment” to litter control, recycling, beautification or general environmental stewardship.

This year’s winners included:

• Steve Adler, a Waynesville resident who has faithfully participated in every CCC litter pickup for the past year. 
• John Laursen of Hazelwood Soap Company, who has continuously cleaned the parking lot, curbs and business fronts in Hazelwood of litter. 
• The Town of Waynesville, which completed beautification of Chestnut Park and installed the new All-Abilities Playground at Waynesville Recreation Park. 
• Art O’Neil of BearWaters Brewing Company in Canton, which has completed outstanding beautification and improvement of the Pigeon River waterfront. 
• John Sherman, Ph.D., and his staff at the Haywood Community College Arboretum for safe environmental upkeep of 110 acres of arboretum and 700 acres of forest. 
• Rod Harkleroad and Marty Stamey, CEO and director of operations, respectively, for Haywood Regional Medical Center, for their creativity and hard work planning for beautification, recycling and innovative grounds stewardship at the hospital. 

CCC Chairman Bill Skelton urged those attending the awards presentation Feb. 27 to follow the example of this year’s recipients. 

“One piece of litter seems to breed another one, seems to breed another one, seems to breed another one, so I guess my challenge to you today is if you see a piece of litter, just that one piece, pick it up and it will certainly help us to keep our county clean,” he said. 

The CCC was established in 2000 as a countywide effort to keep Haywood County beautiful and healthy. The board is always seeking more volunteers to participate in its litter pickups conducted May to October in every town. 

To volunteer, contact Skelton at 828.456.3575.