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Carlisles
Honored with 2007
Charlie Award
Another year’s worth of advocacy
celebrated
at annual banquet
by Jordan Selbo, Staff Writer;
Photos by
Nancy Sopkowiak
This year’s Charlie
Smith Community Awards Banquet found friends old and new gathering
for a warm night of celebration and connection. From the opening
reception’s
jovial chatter to the last moonlit goodbyes, those in attendance
at Black Bear Crossings in Como Park once again enjoyed this
annual event, as the intimate atmosphere of a capacity crowd
allowed the chance to both solidify and reminisce on old friendships
while also making new ones.
After opening remarks by Access Press Board Chair Mike Chevrette and
Executive Director Tim Benjamin, guests enjoyed a turkey dinner and
the continued jazzy stylings of pianist Larry McDonough. Two departing
board members, JoAnn Cardenas Enos and Mary Kay Kennedy, were then
recognized for their outstanding service over the years, both using
their exits to elicit smiles rather than tears with jokes and sincere
thanks.
The evening’s
apex came with the awarding of the Charlie Smith Community Award
to Jim and Claudia Carlisle, two longtime members and advocates
of the disability community. Through the speakers who chose to
introduce them, their legacy was clearly on display. While being
admired for their shared tenacity and lifelong activism, it was evident
from the frequent laughter that this couple also values humor as
a tool in overcoming adversity. With an ultimate legacy of spreading
inspiration and awareness to anyone they’ve come into contact
with, the award winning couple reminded us all exactly why and how
we continue the struggle, and if we’re lucky, continue it with
a smile. ![]()
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Tim Benjamin, Jim and Claudia
Carlisle, Ronna Linroth and Mike Chevrette
2007 Charlie Smith Community Award recipients Jim and Claudia Carlisle,
founders of People Enhancing People
Mary Kay Kennedy,
John Kerrigan and Kenny Sinn
Becky Cashin, Ron Franke and Patty Woodey
JoAnn Cardenas Enos, Bruce Sinn-Brown,
Kenny Sinn, Brigid Alseth and Rick Cardenas
Jazz pianist Larry McDonough,
playing a song written by his daughter
JoAnn Cardenas Enos and Mary
Kay Kennedy with their awards
Lance Hegland, Mike Harrison,
Black Bear server, Kent Fordyce, Jordan Selbo, Jenny Diaz and Scott
Adams.
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