|
!!
CONGRATULATIONS !!
SAM McCLELLAND
WINNER OF
THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN-MAC NORCROSS
MEMORIAL SERVICE AWARD
MAY 21, 2007
(Inscription on Plaque Awarded
to Sam McClelland)
Abraham
Lincoln – Mac Norcross Memorial Service Award
Presented
to
Sam
McClelland
By
The
Republican Club of Greater Largo
May
21, 2007
For
your dedication to the Republican Party
For
your selfless contributions to
community
and fellow Americans
OH
WHAT A NIGHT!
Club President,
T.J. Schmitz and Sam |
It was a big
night for Sam McClelland, the recipient of the 2007 Abraham Lincoln –
Mac Norcross Memorial Service Award. He was caught totally off guard!
It was a wonderful surprise!
|
The
Honorable Diane Nelson and Sam
|
The Honorable Diane Nelson
took great pride inpresenting Sam, her Deputy of communications, with
this prestigious award. In her speech she recognized Sam for “his
friendly demeanor, generosity and support of different causes….”
She touched upon his childhood as a military brat; growing up in Clearwater;
serving in Viet Nam as a Navy Petty Officer; and his current work for
veterans and the “National Forget Me Not Association”.
She moved on to his college
days at SPC where he attended courses in Radio & Television Production
and the career paths that Sam followed thereafter: the late night live
host for the Home Shopping Channel (“The Bob Barker of Pinellas
County!”), a well-known radio talk show host for 10 years in the
mid-1980’s (recognized by Tedd Webb as “one of the best conservative
talk show hosts to emerge in Tampa Bay…best prepared to defend his
point of view….”), and his current work on different projects
for Pinellas County’s TV Channel 18.
|
Ed Hooper, Jim Frishe, Sam McClelland
|
How many members knew that
Sam worked as Assistant Property Appraiser for Ron Schultz from 1976 to
1982?
Diane recognized him for
his involvement in the Arts Community in the County, especially Clearwater.
He is a recognized playwright who has written numerous mystery dinner
theaters that have appeared at different venues around the County. He
has been a loyal supporter of the Francis Wilson Playhouse through the
years, serving in different capacities on their Board of Directors and
acting in different plays produced on their stage. He has donated time
and effort to the Clearwater Historical Society (he is a walking encyclopedia
of Clearwater’s history).
Our Tax Collector could
not pass up the opportunity to talk about Sam, the DJ. Music is his stress
relief and he loves to spin his tunes for different groups around the
Clearwater area. He has a great repertoire of songs and a great knack
for picking the right songs for the right group. Every year he is asked
to spin his tunes at various Republican functions in the County and special
stints for the Republican Party of Florida. He is a loyal social member
at the Clearwater Country Club where he has contributed his time and efforts
as in-house DJ from time to time for a number of their special events.
|
Sam
and Wife Anita
Son
Steve and Sam
Anita's
Mom Hilda Stubbs and Son Steve
|
Diane ended her presentation
naming the different awards that Sam has received through the years and
recognizing distinguished guests in the audience, including Sam’s
lovely wife Anita (who Sam calls “my hero”); their son, Steven;
Anita’s mother, Hilda Stubbs; Louise Norcross, Mac’s widow;
and her daughter, Barbara Peckham, accompanied by her husband, Earle.
Also in attendance were State Representatives Ed Hooper and Jim Frishe,
along with Shirley Mioulis, representing Congressman Bill Young, who read
a letter of congratulations to Sam from the Congressman. Evelyn Leonhardt,
Chairman of the Abraham Lincoln – Mac Norcross Memorial Service
Award, and members of her Committee, Ruby Brooks and Charlie Harper, also
read letters of congratulations to Sam from Deborah Clark, Supervisor
of Elections; Karen Seel, County Commissioner; and Mike Fasano, State
Representative.
We would like to recognize
Diane’s husband, Ken, who taped the presentation, and Sam’s
colleagues from the Tax Collector’s office who wanted to share this
special evening with him: Carlos Thomas, Chief Deputy; Tillie Blocker,
Deputy of Licensing and Services; Doug Peat, Deputy of Information Technology;
Jim Battyanyi, Director of Human Resources; Laurel Whitney, Director of
Customer Services and the Call Center; Susie Blanco, Diane’s Executive
Assistant; Nancy Buckmaster (Sam’s Administrative Assistant) and
her husband, John; and Jerry Broadus, a member of the Tax Collector’s
IT Support Team.
Evelyn and her Committee
deserve a big round of applause for their time and efforts spent on thisproject.
They arranged for the beautiful plaque presented to Sam and gifts from
the Club, including gift certificates from Alfano’s and a good bottle
of wine accompanied with “Republican” cigars.
One of the highlights of the evening was
a special presentation to Sam made by Charlie Harper, on behalf of The
Irish Republican Society of Largo and included with this newsletter –
what a hoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sam at the podium
Sam
and Toni Wolff (Past President)
Ruby Brooks at the Podium
|
Sam and
Louise Norcross (Mac's Wife)
Earl
and Barb Peckham (Mac's Daughter)
Lesliey
Waters Addresses the Crowd
|
|
The
Irish Republican Society of Largo
Confers
upon the fine Irish gentleman himself
Mr.
Sam McClelland
That he indeed is a MASTER of the
Blarney!
Sam
McClelland is now entitled to all the rights and privileges that come
with this high IRISH HONOR
Done
at Largo, Florida this 21st day of May, 2007
_____________________________
Charlie
‘O Harper St. Patrick himself
|
|
President
Recording
Treasurer
Mr.
Tom Wright, Executive Director of the FairTax movement was the guest speaker
at our November meeting.
