Chamber Executive Director, Stephanie Edwards, explained that the Spirit of Our Community Awards shine the spotlight on people who truly represent the character of the Cashiers Area.  “They are our friends, neighbors, teachers, business owners, non-profit volunteers, civic and cultural advocates and others who give beyond what is simply asked,” Edwards said.

Glenn Ubertino — Chair of the Cashiers Area Community Planning Council, Chair of the Cashiers Community Collaborative and President of the Cashiers Area Chamber Board of Directors, among other civic and charitable leadership roles — was named 2022 Citizen of the Year.  While owning and managing Zoller Hardware and other affiliated businesses, Ubertino has volunteered significant time and talents to critical growth management initiatives and community wellbeing. He and his wife, Kim, also are familiar faces in nonprofit and education efforts, including support of Southwestern Community College.

Margaret “Maggie” Carton received the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Spirit Award. Carton’s long list of community activities over the years warrants “volunteer extraordinaire” recognition. She serves on the Vision Cashiers Board of Directors, Crossroads Society, and as secretary. She has provided steadfast leadership of the Pathways and Preservation Committee, which develops and maintains a natural pathway system through Cashiers Village and oversees a highway and byway trash collection program among other initiatives. Her major commitments also include the Leadership Cashiers Alumni Network, Friends of Panthertown and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina.

Recognized as Educator of the Year was Tracie Holden, of Blue Ridge School and Early College. According to a press release sent out by the chamber of commerce, Holden is a devoted fourth grade teacher who takes her job of expanding and inspiring young minds very seriously yet does so in a joyful manner. Her impact is broad and far-reaching on students, youth and those of all ages who have benefited from her personal and professional commitments. 

“Her grace and compassion extend beyond the classroom and her educational lineage continues with her daughter and Blue Ridge School teaching colleague, Josie,” the release reads.

Badge Siler and Jill Katz, owners and operators of Crossroads Custard & Cold Brew, were honored as 2022 Spirit Award Businesspeople of the Year. Since opening their Slab Town Plaza new concept establishment in 2021, this dynamic duo has demonstrated their community commitment time and again. Jill is an active Leadership Cashiers alumna. Both are always eager to support local nonprofits and schools. The team donates their energies and goods for special community events, providing refreshments from gourmet teas and coffees to delectable breakfast and lunch specialties. 

The 2022 Arts & Culture Advocate of the Year is Tim Womick, founder of the Cashiers School of the Arts, in partnership with the Village Green. The recently launched organization promotes arts education for all. Its volunteer-led programming includes Shakespeare 101, Kids’ Introduction to Arts, Family Art Night and ballroom dancing with more planned for the future. Womick has been a familiar face in Cashiers for many years and his environmental work and advocacy extends across the nation. His latest venture in arts promotion is a natural extension of his care and concern for humanity.

The Evergreen Award was given to the Friendship Garden of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, a symbol of the spirit of respect and sustainability of the area. A group of dedicated volunteers, led by chair Susan DeBruin, successfully refurbished the garden with the help of arborists and Bartlett Tree Service. They were able to preserve the historical White Oak through special pruning, irrigation and soil treatment so that it will survive another 100-200 years. The team worked tirelessly to remove bushes, prune, and clean the landscape. They purposely added native plants that will attract butterflies, bees and birds. Generous donors provided funding which contributed to the project’s success.

These Spirit Award winners were featured in the annual Cashiers Christmas Parade on Dec. 3, and will be applauded with a 2023 reception for recipients and sponsors in their honor, recognized in other publications and social media posts and celebrated by their friends, families and colleagues across the Plateau.