The Round Rock City Council at its meeting last week named four Local Legend Award winners: the Avery and Nelson families, Earl Palmer, and Rose Marie “Posey” McClung were honored for their contributions to the culture, development, and history of the community.

Historic Preservation Commission chair Jerry Hodges and Vice Chairman Rae Lynn Tipping  presented the awards. Some award winners shared their thoughts on receiving this award.

McClung said, “It is with much gracious humility that I accept this great honor, because any service I have offered was offered, solely, for the enhancement of quality of life for senior-age folks in our locale. I have been thankful for this opportunity during my golden years."

Mr. Palmer, a former City Councilmember, shared that his community service in Round Rock began when Doyle Hickerson recruited him for the Chamber of Commerce in 1978.

“Doyle was in a contest with Jack Hoover to recruit members; the winner (Doyle) got a fancy jacket,” Palmer said.

Charles Avery accepted the Local Legend Award on behalf of the Avery family, and John Nelson accepted the award on behalf of his family.

 “The Nelsons are proud to accept this award on behalf of our ancestors,” John Nelson said. “Thanks to the City of Round Rock and the Historic Commission for recognizing contributions to the community made by family members including Andrew J. Nelson, Carl A. Nelson, Tom E. Nelson and Tom E. Nelson, Jr.”

The Local Legend Awards program was established in 1990, and including this year’s winners, 41 individuals, groups or organizations have been honored.

Award winners are selected based on the following criteria: importance to the City’s founding or growth; association with an historic place or event; legacy of service to the community; and/or personal achievements that have brought honor and distinction to the nominee and the City of Round Rock.

This year’s nomination and selection process was assisted by a volunteer committee that included Kami Barron, Jesus Franco, and the late John Latchford. After spending the summer reviewing nominations, the committee made its recommendation to the Round Rock Historic Preservation Commission in September. The selected winners were honored by the City Council at its Oct. 22 meeting.

As in the past, Local Legend Award winners received a certificate of recognition. Starting this year, recipients also will be recognized on a plaque that lists all winners since the program’s inception. The plaque, which was presented to the Mayor and City Council on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission, will be updated annually with the names of that year’s Local Legend Award recipients.

The plaque was purchased through the City’s Historic Preservation Education and Awareness Program, which was funded in part by a $10,000 grant from the federal Certified Local Government program, U.S. Department of the Interior, as administered by the Texas Historical Commission.

Local Legend Award nominations are accepted throughout the year by the City Department of Planning and Community Development.

For more information, contact Joelle Jordan, Department of Planning and Community Development, at 512-218-5422 or jjordan@round-rock.tx.us.