Rotary Club honors the Bannermans

Well-known Black Mountain residents Evelyn and Glenn Bannerman were named in December as the 2015 recipients of the John Knox Abernathy Award, given annually by the Black Mountain Rotary Club.

Misled to thinking they were to be the speakers for the day, the Bannermans were announced as award recipients by Rotarian Roger Hubbard. Their “anticipated” program will be welcomed at a future Rotary Club meeting in 2016.

The late John Knox Abernathy was a well-known Black Mountain resident whose leadership and love for our Swannanoa Valley was recognized by the Black Mountain Rotary Club’s naming its most distinguished award in his memory and honor. The award goes annually to people in the community whom the club wants to honor for outstanding and selfless gifts to the community.

For years Glenn and Evelyn Bannerman have been known locally, regionally, and nationally as leaders in the areas of dancing and storytelling. Longtime teachers at The Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, the Bannermans have given of themselves in recreation activities in Montreat, the Blue Ridge YMCA Assembly and Asheville’s Shindig on the Green.

Many people have been educated and trained to be leaders in the various areas of recreation and dancing by these two fun-loving and fun-giving members of the Black Mountain community. The John Knox Abernathy Award is given to the Bannermans in recognition and thanksgiving for their enrichment and joy in the lives of countless individuals.