Georgetown Citizens Group to Hand Out Service Awards
By Deirdre BannonCurrent Staff Writer
D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans will honor four local residents for their service to the Georgetown neighborhood during a ceremony tonight hosted by the Dumbarton House.
The Citizens Association of Georgetown, the event’s sponsor, will give awards to Nancy Taylor Bubes, Karen Daly, Ron Lewis and Ruth Werner.
“So many people work behind scenes with no accolades at all — they do it because they love Georgetown, they love the community and they want to help,” association president Jennifer Altemus said in an interview. “We think it’s important that everybody knows how hard they’re working and that Georgetown would not be the place that it is without their efforts.”
Taylor Bubes will receive the Martin-Davidson Award for her “significant contributions to the community,” according to a news release from the citizens association.
A Realtor who specializes in Georgetown properties, Taylor Bubes is constantly putting people together, said Altemus, and networking businesses and residents. She actively participates in the Friends of Volta Park, Friends of Rose Park, Concerts in the Parks and the Georgetown Gala.
“She’s Georgetown’s go-to person,” said Altemus. “She’s always giving back to the community and is the first person to step in and say, ‘Yes, I’ll do it.’”
Daly, executive director of the Dumbarton House, will receive the William A. Cochran Award for her “exceptional efforts to protect and enhance the community’s parkland and architectural resources,” according to the release. The citizens association will recognize Daly’s work to make the historic grounds “more open to the community,” and her “preservation initiatives to protect the historic house museum.”
“The Dumbarton House has never looked so fabulous,” Altemus said. “The grounds are stunning, and I think it’s Karen’s stewardship that has really brought this Georgetown treasure back to life.”
Lewis, chair of the Georgetown advisory neighborhood commission, will receive the Belin Award for his “expert and dedicated work in preserving the historic character of Georgetown,” the release says. The association will highlight Lewis’ leadership in the town-gown relations with Georgetown University and his work on other important community issues.
“Ron has done so much behind the scenes for the community, in addition to all of his ANC duties,” said Altemus. “He’s been on the ANC for about six years, and before that he was vice president of the [citizens association’s] board.”
Werner, who serves as a committee director for Council member Evans, is noted as a “key liaison” between Evans’ office and the Georgetown community. She will receive the Charles Atherton Award for “exceptional service by a dedicated public-sector professional for outstanding work preserving and protecting historic Georgetown,” according to the release.
“I don’t think anything would be accomplished in Georgetown without her,” Altemus said. “She’s just an amazing force and keeps us informed about what’s going on and answers our questions and thinks things through.”
The ceremony is open to the public, and the mayor is expected to arrive at 7 p.m. Safeway is donating the catered reception.
“It should be a beautiful night,” said Altemus. “We’ll be outside in the gardens, and it’s a great opportunity to see this historic treasure.”
This article appears in the May 30 issue of The Georgetown Current newspaper.