Monday, May. 19, 2008

Preservation group honors volunteers

The Historic Columbia Foundation recently recognized four area residents for their service to the organization and the community during its annual Volunteer Awards ceremony.

Anne Weir was named the agency’s Volunteer of the Year. She was joined by Steve Morrison, who received the Innovative Leadership award; Frank Cox, who received the Service Award; and Jenks Farmer, who was honored for Special Contributions.

Weir has served in various volunteer capacities within the foundation since 1994. The retired educator transferred her love for history, preservation and gardening to the Historic Columbia Foundation, leading school group tours and serving on the Education Committee and the Woodrow Wilson Restoration Committee.

Morrison, a partner with the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough and past president of the Historic Columbia Foundation, assisted in securing the first $100,000 gift in the organization’s history. He also led the foundation through its recent strategic planning process.

Cox assisted in the foundation’s Collections and Interpretation Department researching and organizing files, while researching years of magazine articles, notes and newspaper clippings.

Farmer, curator of Moore Farms gardens and owner of Lushlife Nursery, used his expertise to design landscaping for the Seibels House. He also served as project manager during the garden installation.

The award winners are among some 60 Historic Columbia volunteers who contributed more than 8,000 hours to the agency during the past 12 months.

To become a Historic Columbia volunteer, call (803) 252-1770, ext. 24.

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Lexington County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesse Laintz recently received the J.P. Strom Award — presented to the graduate with the highest grade-point average in his basic law enforcement officer training class at the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.

Laintz, 27, of Lexington, received the award during graduation ceremonies last week at the Criminal Justice Academy on Broad River Road in Columbia.

Laintz started his career with the Sheriff’s Department in March 2006, when he began working as a correctional officer at the county jail. He became a defensive tactics instructor in August 2006 and later was assigned as a law enforcement correctional officer.

Prior to working for the sheriff’s department, Laintz served seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps.