7 Awards Presented at Smoot’s Grocery as Part of “Natchez Celebrates The Blooms”
The Downtown Natchez Alliance (DNA) announced this year’s honorees for the “Sallie Junkin Ballard Keep Natchez Blooming” Awards earlier today, Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Smoot’s Grocery, located on 319 N. Broadway Street in Downtown Natchez, Mississippi. The ceremony is part of DNA’s annual “Natchez Celebrates The Blooms” Crepe Myrtle Season.
The annual “Keep Natchez Blooming” awards seek to recognize outstanding contributions to the beautification of Downtown Natchez and are named in memory of Sallie Junkin Ballard (1926-2017,) who orchestrated the planting of hundreds of Crepe Myrtles in the city in the effort to make Natchez the “Crepe Myrtle Capital of the World.”
The hosts for this year’s ceremony was Natchez Mayor Dan M. Gibson, DNA Downtown Director Kevin Miers, and Sophie Nord, granddaughter of Sallie Junkin Ballard.
“We had a fantastic time at the ceremony, presenting these awards to individuals in Natchez who have shown above and beyond dedication to preserving and strengthening the flowers, trees, and all manner of plant-life in our beautiful city,” commented Mayor Gibson. “It’s all thanks to all this year’s winners and their tireless efforts that make Natchez the picturesque city we know and love!”
The Honorees for 2024 are:
- Elaine Gemmell was presented with a Legacy Award for selfless dedication to the beautification of the Natchez landscape and community education.
- Stephanie Hutchins was presented with a Legacy Award for growing the community through decades of volunteer devotion to Keeping Natchez, Mississippi, and America Beautiful.
- Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff for creating community in Downtown Natchez through free music at the Bluff bandstand through the Live@Five Natchez Public Concert Series.
- Eddie Burkes for steadfast commitment to community-building downtown through founding the Downtown Natchez Farmers Market, and for his time serving on the F.O.R. Natchez Board of Directors and Downtown Natchez Master Plan.
- St. Mary Basilica Garden Committee for providing restful spaces for peace, prayer, and solace downtown through the St. Mary Basilica Prayer Garden, Bishops’ Prayer Garden, and Father O’Connor Family Life Center Triangle.
- Greg Brooking for sowing seeds of joy for everyone along our riverfront with the Under-The-hill Poppy Project and Wildflower Fields.
- The Metcalfe Family for nurturing and protecting our historic bluff landscape for future generations with the Broadway Street Historic Live Oak and Sidewalk Restoration.
