St. Nicholas to be named for 25th time Thursday
Thursday will mark the 25th anniversary of Demopolis’ St. Nicholas project. Since the 1989 inception of one of Christmas on the River’s most popular traditions, there have been 27 Demopolis citizens who have received the honor.
The first recipients of the award were former Demopolis High School teacher Pat Hinson and community volunteer Jim Carlson. Other notable honorees over the years have included Sandy Yeager, who received the honor posthumously in 2001 and Verne and June Humble, who carried the title as a couple in 2006 for their work with Operation: Christmas Child.
Designed to recognize individuals who have displayed the spirit of Christmas all year long by having made great contributions to the enrichment of lives of local young people, St. Nicholas for 2013 will be named Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Public Square in downtown Demopolis.
Other features of the event will include the lighting of Public Square and the Lantern Light Parade.
The following is a list of all of the previous St. Nicholas winners:
1989 – Pat Hinson and Jim Carson
1990 – George Franks
1991 – Mike Cavasco
1992 – Jennifer Roemen
1993 – Bea DenBleyker and Charles Roberts
1994 – Stanhope Brasfield
1995 – Gus Weiss
1996 – Allen Bishop
1997 – Dessis Williford
1998 – Mitch Tanner
1999 – Peter Jones
2000 – Laverne Rile
2001 – In memory of Sandy Yeager
2002 – Dan Wilson
2003 – Burnquetta Johnson
2004 – Booker Barlow
2005 – Terry Sprinkle
2006 – June and Verne Humble
2007 – Albert “Can Good” Thomas
2008 – Ann Parsons
2009 – Kenny Freeman
2010 – Jane Watson
2011 – Tom Causey
2012 – Kelley Tarpley