Friends of Balboa Park Announces Annual Award Honorees
From left to bottom are Christine Kehoe, Arlene Simpson, William Steen and Virginia Long. Photo is courtesy of Doug Gates.
Friends of Balboa Park (FoBP), a nonprofit that preserves the legacy and beauty of the Park, this week celebrated the honorees of its 17th Annual Awards Luncheon. This year’s event, themed “Magical Menagerie,” commemorated the nonprofit’s recent acquisition of the historic Balboa Park Carousel. The event also recognized institutions and organizations throughout the Park that have enhanced it throughout the year(s).
“The Annual Awards Luncheon is a flagship event of Friends of Balboa Park, and I am thrilled we can celebrate a historic milestone of our organization by our operation of the Carousel, as well as again recognizing such distinguished talent and unequaled dedication amongst the Park’s volunteers and employees,” said Friends of Balboa Park Executive Director John Bolthouse.
The Millennium Award went to Virginia Long, Arlene Simpson, Bill Steen
This year, three San Diego families were recognized for owning the Balboa Park Carousel over the last 100 years prior to FoBP taking ownership in summer 2017.
Emerging Young Leader of Balboa Park Award went to Ira Bauer-Spector of the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet.
Inspiration Awards were given to five individuals in recognition of significant and long-term contributions of service to Balboa Park and/or to one or more of the organizations in the Park. These unsung heroes contribute many thousands of hours in service to The Park: Melanie Flynn/San Diego Museum of Man, Barry Goldlust/San Diego History Center, Sheri Knox/San Diego Natural History Museum, Wendy Ledford/Globe Guilders (The Old Globe Theatre), and Paul Meyer/Balboa Park Conservancy and Balboa Park Trust.
More than 350 guests, including dozens of dignitaries and community leaders, attended the luncheon that was held at the Balboa Park Club. KPBS anchor Sally Hixson served as keynote speaker.
The event’s featured sponsors included Connie K. Golden, Darlene Marcos Shiley, Siefel-Behner Charitable Fund, and George and Cynthia Driver. The 2017 Luncheon was co-chaired by volunteers Carol Fitzgibbons and Maureen Lamberti.
For more information, visit www.friendsofbalboapark.org/luncheon.
Category: Events, Local News
