此内容暂无简体中文译文，以下为英文原文。
Historical February–March 2015 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Five neighbors were honored as Neighborhood Stewards at the 23rd Annual Skinker DeBaliviere Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at Grace United Methodist Church. Friends and family gathered in the afternoon to pray and sing together, pay tribute to King, and to recognize Ruth Johnson, Bill and Rogerene Kinds, Lana Stein and JoAnn Vatcha for their service as volunteers, community activists, long-time residents and devoted friends within the community. “These are people who share a love of neighborhood, a love of neighbors and a love of diversity,” said Liz Johnson, chair of the SDCC MLK Committee.
During the awards portion of the event, each profile revealed that the honorees exemplify King’s dream.
A 30-year Skinker DeBaliviere resident, Ruth Johnson was honored for her 30 years of dedication to the neighborhood, as well as her work in the community.
She served on the Kingsbury Square Board of Directors as Vice President and President of the Board of Trustees, she was a member of the Hospitality Committee, and the Entertainment Committee.
She also served in various capacities on the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council Board of Directors, including chairing the popular annual event “The Police and Firefighters Luncheon” to be held this year on February 13.
Also long-time residents, Bill and Rogerene Kinds have lived on DeGiverville Place since 1963. Along with their active involvement in the St. Roch Church, the Kinds have participated in neighborhood progressive dinners and other activities. Theirs was one of the first homes to participate in the neighborhood house tour in 1972. Avid gardeners, the Kinds were featured on ABC News in 2008 for their role in the creation of the McPherson Community Garden. Throughout her 25 years as a resident of the area, Lana Stein has volunteered with Rags to Riches, bake sales, and other community events.
She represented Nina Place, served on the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council Board of Directors, among other posts.
She has worked on the Delmar Commercial Committee for many years and on The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, serving as editor, co-editor, writer and columnist since 1992.
Her career as a political science professor brought her to St. Louis, where she feels she found her true home. Like Stein, JoAnn Vatcha has many years with the newspaper. Vatcha has served as co-editor of the The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere since 1999 and hosted fundraisers to finance it. Working with neighbor Marjorie Weir, she wrote Celebrating Skinker-DeBaliviere: History and Comeback, a book marking the neighborhood’s centennial in 2008.
A resident of the neighborhood for 50 years, she has led the Delmar Commercial Committee since 1989.
Each honoree was awarded a framed certificate and given a standing ovation for their efforts and devotion to the community.
After the awards, the New Cote Brilliante Church Choir sang Let There Be Peace On Earth. Rev. Yolanda Villa, pastor of Grace United Methodist, and Pastor Miki Merritt of New Cote Brilliante Church, also spoke. Keynote speaker, Rev. Thurman Williams, pastor at Grace and Peace Fellowship, recounted the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, he noted that people should open their hearts to others. Liz Johnson said King’s message applies today, quoting him: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Original photograph caption
Liz Johnson, Jo Ann Vatcha, Rogerene and Bill Kinds, Ruth Johnson, Lana Stein and Alderman Lyda Krewson.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2015.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2015_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
