Best of Siloam Springs

By Randy Rice Since 1984, the Pioneer Citizen award has been given to members of the Siloam Springs community who lead with their hearts, who faced new challenges, and paved the way for new frontiers. In order to be considered for this award by the Pioneer Citizen committee, the person must be a resident of Siloam Springs for at least 10 years, be at least 65 years old, and be heavily involved, past or present, in various activities or committees of the City of Siloam Springs, Main Street Siloam Springs, or the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce. This year's Pioneer Citizen award recipients have been chosen and will be awarded at the 2020 Annual Banquet on February 6th. The winners are Dick Bolen and Diane and Larry Winder (posthumously). Dick Bolen has been a volunteer coach, board member for various organizations, served 14 years in the Siloam Springs School District adopter program, President of St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Council, ten years of membership of the Board of Directors at the Sager Creek Arts Center, and many other impressive accomplishments and involvements. "I was so surprised when Wayne from the Chamber stopped by to give me the news," Dick began. "My first thought was 'why me?' There are so many other people in Siloam Springs that do so much." But the choice was obvious to everybody else. Dick explained the transformation he went through rather late in life. "After college and military I've lived in Memphis, New Orleans, Houston and Jackson, MS," he said. "I can honestly say that all of those places put together can't hold a candle to Siloam Springs. During the younger years of my career I thought about myself. It wasn't until I moved to Siloam Springs and met my wife that I began to think about other people than myself. Fate brought me here. I married at age 44, after seeing all those big city lights. I became a father at age 50. I first got involved in my daughter's school and found that was more rewarding than running around the big cities as a single man. My service and engagement in the community giving back just grew after that." Both Diane and Larry Winder have played large roles in making the Sager Creek Arts Center what it is today, and Larry was a founding member. They both worked diligently as actors of art and drama. Larry was a long time Rotary member and on the board several times. Diane has been a dedicated pioneer leader in the local Hospital Auxiliary, serving as president and in many other positions. "We love Siloam Springs," Diane said. "My husband Larry was a man, a character really, of many sayings. And his saying about Siloam Springs was 'it's as good as any and better than most'. We are most known here in town for our work with the Sager Creek Arts Center but Larry was also involved in many other ways. One of his biggest projects was heading construction of The 2020 Pioneer Citizens Award honors local heroes Larry & Diane Winder Dick Bolen 22 • Best of Siloam Springs Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader ACTION HEATING & COOLING 524-0759 Like us on @ACTIONHEATINGCOOLING New Installation Duct Cleaning Service and Repair AKIN & BEARD TAX SVC, INC. 125 A E Kenwood St • Siloam Springs, AR 72761 479-549-4105 william.beard1948@yahoo.com You voted Debi Akin Best of Siloam Springs and we are honored. For 3 decades, we have dedicated ourselves to serving the Siloam Springs community with our tax services. rough our friendships and business endeavors, we are blessed!!! Thank You Siloam Springs! Thank You Siloam Springs. We appreciate you!! 623 S. Mt. olive, Siloam springs 479-524-4311 www.jepsondrug.com THANK YOU SILOAM SPRINGS. WE APPRECIATE YOU!! www.mexicanfoodnwa.com 2889 W Hwy 412, Ste 10 • Siloam Springs, AR 479-373-1889 Sunday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm Friday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm

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