Community Partnership of the Ozarks hosted the 12^th annual Neighborhood Organization Volunteer Awards (NOVA) ceremony, Dec. 4, 2018 at Relics Event Center to recognize and reward outstanding neighborhood volunteers who work tirelessly to improve and revitalize their communities. 

A nova is a brightly shining star. CPO feels organizations and individuals who tirelessly work at making our community a better place to live should be recognized as stars. The annual NOVAs banquet allows us to reflect on the achievements and contributions made by dedicated people in our community. The NOVAs banquet is a highlight of our year and we truly enjoy the opportunity to celebrate those who may go unnoticed for all they do in and for our neighborhoods.

Pete Radecki, former Neighborhood Advisory Council chair and Bissett Neighborhood Association president presented the keynote address.

The 2018 Reaching for the Stars Award went to the City of Springfield’s Department of Public Works for the Neighborhood Works program.

The Reaching for the Stars is an annual award given to a person, organization, or partner that has had a particularly large and profound impact on the neighborhoods throughout the past year.

Transportation Planner Dawne Gardner accepted the award on behalf of the department. Public Works Assistant Director Martin Gugel also attended the event and was recognized.

Individual NOVAs were awarded to:

• Bissett: Russell Moore
• Bradford Park: Dellene Nelson
• Delaware: J. Brandon Carroll
• Doling: Christina Dicken
• Grant Beach: Peggy Wissmueller
• Greater Parkcrest: Judy Wyrick
• Heart of the Westside: Cody Parsons
• Meador: Bobbi Ream
• Midtown: James Jeffries
• Oak Grove: Wendell Royster
• Phelps Grove: Nancy Danielsen
• Robberson: Terry Cornio
• Rountree: Laurel Bryant, Sue Ekstam, Mike Brothers and Peggy Wise
• Tom Watkins: Scott Michael
• Weller: Stacey Jackson
• West Central: Phyllis Netzer
• Westside: Ken Sweetser
• Woodland Heights: Sarah Gaddy.

Bass Pro Marathon Neighborhood Challenge awards

Concluding the evening were the Great Neighborhoods grants to neighborhoods and the Bass Pro Marathon cheering sections awards. Doling took first place and $2,000 in the competition, with their “wild animal kingdom” theme. In second place and winning $1,500 was Westside, with their Route 66 fueling station theme.

There was a three-way tie for third, with Greater Parkcrest, West Central and Bradford Park each taking home $1,000 for their neighborhood association. Greater Parkcrest’s theme was “shine-on emojis,” while West Central also promoted Route 66 and Bradford Park had a superheroes theme.

Oak Grove, Tom Watkins, Grant Beach, Delaware, Woodland Heights, Meador and Robberson all took home $500. Oak Grove’s theme was “old golf,” Tom Watkins’ was camping and outdoors, Grant Beach’s was the beach, Delaware’s was pirate, Woodland Heights’ was Hawaiian, Meador was “ghosts of Halloween,” and Robberson’s was classic cars.

Great Neighborhoods grants

Alana Owen and Randall Whitman from the City’s Planning & Development department awarded four $750 Great Neighborhoods grant checks. Neighborhoods that received checks were Delaware, Doling, Midtown and Oak Grove.

Congratulations to all, and a big thanks to NOVAs sponsor Air Services Heating & Cooling for making the evening possible.