By Staff
BENTON HARBOR – The Gordon W. Hosbein Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1996.
This award is to honor the many years of service and dedication that Gordon gave to the Blossomtime organization by naming annually an outstanding festival volunteer. Nominees must have at least three years of service with the festival.
Previous winners of this prestigious award and Blossomtime board of directors are not eligible for this award
This year the award was presented to Ron Taylor for his many hours volunteering this past year. Ron has been a volunteer for Blossomtime for many years in arranging and hosting the House of David Echoes Base Ball Club in the Grand Floral Parade and the vintage baseball games with the Blossom Queens after the blessing of the blossoms and during fair week in August.
In 2006 he was the guest curator of the 100th year Blossomtime exhibition at the Box Factory in St. Joseph which covered the historical events of the 100 years of Blossomtime. He also chaired the commemorative poster project designing and producing 10 11 x 17 unique posters with 168 photos selected from the Blossomtime Archives.
He set up exhibits in local businesses and post offices and in addition he arranged the marketing efforts with several gift shops He was honored in 2006 as an honorary grand marshal in the 2006 Grand Floral Parade.
Ron will receive a Blossomtime patron membership and will be Blossomtime's honored guest at all 2007 festival events including the dignitaries brunch prior to the start of the parade and ride in a special convertible in the 2007 parade.
Ron serves as trustee secretary for Mary's City of David and, as director and curator of it museum in Benton Harbor.