Man, Woman Of The Year Named

Gary Lisman and Gwen Hughes were honored Tuesday morning as the 2008 Van Zandt County Man and Woman of the Year.

The two were presented their commemorative plaques during the Van Zandt County Commissioners’ Court meeting. A reception was then held in the hallway outside the county courtroom.

Lisman graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1958 and received a bachelor’s degree in police science from Abilene Christian University in 1974.

Lisman served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He and his wife of 45 years, Joan, have lived in the Whitton community for the past 11 years.

His community involvement includes membership in Clearview Bible Church, board of directors for the MacBee Special Utility District, and volunteer work in Meals on Wheels and the Whitton Volunteer Fire Department. Lisman was a Dallas police officer for 31 years.

"Gary was not one to take credit for himself. He will gladly stay in the background if people are being helped. That is his nature. He is known as a person to depend on for anything he commits to do, wrote Lawrence "Bubba" Downey in nominating Lisman for the award.

David Fretwell added, "I’ve come to know Gary quite well over the years. The first thing you learn about Gary is, he sees the need to serve his community.

"Gary’s dedication can be shown in his service to the Whitton Volunteer Fire Department, where he not only is a fireman, but also is the president and treasurer," Fretwell wrote.

He continued, "Gary quietly works on all the projects which don’t show up in the spotlight, whether it be gathering things up for the garage sale, cleaning out the station, working on the trucks, mowing the grass, or helping with the fundraisers —he can always be depended on to do everything he can to better the department.

"He has made a good name for himself in our community and I am proud to call him my friend," Fretwell wrote.

Gwen Hughes’ long history of cooking food for benefit causes, particularly in service to Cozby-Germany Hospital, was highlighted in a reading of her nomination narrative by Precinct 1 Commissioner Ricky LaPrade.

"Gwen Bailiff Hughes was born in Van Zandt County but didn’t live here beyond her 10th year. She was born next door to where she now lives on U.S. Highway 80 in Grand Saline.

"Gwen married Sherman Hughes and lived several places with ‘Coach Hughes’, ending up in Dallas where they raised two boys and both retired from Dallas ISD," LaPrade read.

He continued, "When you are born in Van Zandt County, where do you retire? Back to where you began. So, in 1988, Gwen Bailiff Hughes and her husband returned to live in Van Zandt County.

"Gwen, with the help of Sherman, has blessed Van Zandt County passersby with the seasonal decorations that have appeared for years, without fail, in their front yard. Countless travelers have stopped, over the years, to make pictures with their children in one of the scenes with Squanto or Santa, Peter Rabbit or Uncle Sam," LaPrade said.

"Gwen organizes a community Thanksgiving dinner at Grand Saline First United Methodist Church for anyone who needs a meal, needs company, or wants to bring the family and not cook at home," he added.

The remainder of the nomination text is as follows:

"Many take-out meals are delivered to anyone who requests one or are physically unable to leave their home.

"Gwen generously provides elaborate floral arrangements for anyone wanting to remember a special person for the Sunday morning worship service to the Methodist church for a fee of $20, which is donated to the church.

"Gwen knows many people in Grand Saline from when she was a child, and her honoring some dear teacher or friend with a meal or wonderful dessert is just a normal occurrence for Gwen.

"Gwen has also cooked for Vision 2005, a county planning organization. Her trunk has carried more gourmet dishes to more people in these parts than anyone will ever know but God Himself.

"Grand Saline has the only hospital in Van Zandt County, and four years ago the Hospital Auxiliary was reorganized to support the hospital. There were many needs to update and spruce up the facility, inside and out.

"Gwen has been in charge of Hospital Auxiliary fund-raising for the last four years. Her cooking is known all over and her recipes, leadership, and cooking once again proved to be the pot of gold needed to raise funds for the hospital.

"Gwen may just get up one morning and feel that the hospital staff needs breakfast. She single-handedly cooks and carries a scrumptious breakfast to bless the morning bunch. So no one feels left out, she provides food for the other shifts, too. These meals don’t raise funds, but they do raise staff morale. The meals are out of Gwen’s heart and out of her pocket.

"The Hospital Appreciation Luncheon is every spring and the hospital, as well as the clinics, all show up from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hopefully, those who work in the medical field in Van Zandt County know they are appreciated because of Gwen’s organizing and cooking.

"To raise funds for hospital equipment, redecorate rooms, refurnish lobby, etc., there has been an annual Hospital Auxiliary Bazaar. Breakfast and lunch is served plus many cakes, candies, canned jellies, relishes, etc. planned and produced in large part by Gwen at the helm.

"There is also the Salt Festival lunch and bake sale, September fish fry, February chili supper, and May hamburger cook-out. This is all to raise money.

"The most golden idea to raise funds for the hospital came forth a few months ago. Gwen is always hearing, "Oh, Gwen, can I have that recipe?"

"Friend Lynn Gray and Gwen put their heads together to compile a cookbook of Gwen’s recipes titled "Never Trust a Skinny Cook." They hoped to see 250 cookbooks sold. The first 250 books were sold before the ink was dry, so 250 more were printed.

"Those are sold now and a third printing is in process, and it appears they will be sold before they are back from the printer. All proceeds go to the hospital.

"All of her life, Gwen has been a giver of her time, her talents, and her funds, but her blessing as fund-raiser for Cozby-Germany Hospital the last four years has amounted to $49,453. She has had help but that total would have been much less without her ideas, work, and her own contributions, refusing to be compensated.

"Gwen is kind, caring, and generous, and she’s not done yet."

Before the presentation of the plaques, Van Zandt County Judge Rhita Koches said the two would be honored a second time at the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration at the county courthouse.