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Honorees ‘deserving’ of annual awards
RANDOLPH - One family and two individuals were honored for their contributions to Randolph during the annual Community Fair over the weekend.
As part of its annual awards, ROAR (Reaching Out Around Randolph) bestowed recognition to Jim Scott with the Good Neighbor Award; Bill Fye with the Employee of the Year Award; and the Mark and Kathie Nordhues family for Farm Family of the Year Award.
Good Neighbor Award
Scott’s work as Randolph’s fire chief was highlighted in his nomination letter submitted by Jennifer and Cody Backer.
“He has helped mentor the younger men of the department as chief. Jim spends endless hours organizing fundraising events to continue to grow the department,” the Backers said.
Scott also regularly attends area fire department events as a representative of Randolph, and gives of his own time to give rides on the antique fire truck during the Community Fair each year.
Along with contributions to the town, the Backers have benefitted from being the Good Neighbor Award recipients’ actual neighbor.
“Jim is always making sure our neighborhood is taken care of. In the winter, you might find him scooping someone’s driveway. This spring he helps us hang outdoor lights at our shop. He wanted to make sure we were ready for a graduation party. Jim was the last helper to leave.”
The Backers also noted his past volunteer role in youth sports.
“Jim was a visible presence when our son, Shaw, was in youth sports. He always wanted to make sure he showed support to him. You could find him on Sundays standing on the sidelines explaining the game of football with his arm around a player,” the Backers wrote.
Scott announces Randolph High football games and was a key advocate to restart the Legion baseball program, too.
“Every community needs a Jim Scott - a person who would be willing to work beside you to help the community,” the Backers said.
Employee of the Year Award
Fye, owner of Jim’s Foods Center in Randolph, was given the Employee of the Year Award.
According to his nomination submitted by Ben and Trisha Benton, Fye is always pleasant in his interactions with customers, taking a true interest of those who walk in the bright, tidy and well stocked store.
“Fye is a huge supporter of the community providing food stuffs for fundraisers which are ever plentiful. He does so willingly, wanting Randolph and its people to be successful,” the Bentons wrote.
Fye also employs many young people in their first jobs.
“We can’t think of a better person to hold youth accountable and teach them responsibility while providing stimulation for the local economy,” the Bentons wrote.
Farm Family of the Year Award
The Nordhues family has been farming since the early 1980s when times were tough.
“At one time, the couple hopped on a motorcycle and drove to Norfolk to buy a calf puller with the last $50 they thought they had,” said the nomination letter submitted by Mark and Karla Korth.
Between 1982 and 1989, they moved to two farmsteads before landing south of Randolph where they raise livestock and row crops, as well as alfalfa.
“The family is appreciated greatly for their involvement in our community,” the Korths wrote. “Kathie has blessed our community with her wonderful singing voice and thankfully Mark has kept his voice quiet.”
