NORTH FORK — Over 100 people gathered tonight at the Town Hall to celebrate the naming of North Fork’s 2016 Citizens of the Year.
Al and Robyn Flory have been nominated before for their service to the community, and this year they were chosen to take the top honors from a slate of very deserving candidates.
The Flory’s moved to North Fork 33 years ago, and quickly became active and valuable members of the community. They joined the North Fork Boosters and also the Squirrel Cage Theatre Co., where they began acting in plays and working backstage. Robyn also joined the Sugar Pine Trio, and has performed at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad for over 25 years.
Al and Robyn have also run the beer booth at the Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree over 20 years.
Robyn will retire at the end of this school year from her job teaching drama and music at the North Fork School, which she started in 1986. Any child who has attended the school has fond memories of Mrs. Flory.
“We are so honored to have been nominated and then chosen, and are so blessed to be part of this community and these amazing people,” said Robyn.
2015 winner Linda Gott-Maddox, Robyn and Al Flory, Ranay Lutz, Jennifer McMillan and Jennifer Pearson
Also nominated were Ranay Lutz, Jennifer McMillan, and Jennifer Pearson.
The dinner tonight was prepared and served by last year’s winner Linda Gott-Maddox, with lots of help from her crew — Julie Ahrens, Diane Ramirez, Judy Nolen, Holly Johnson, and Janet Wheeler – also a past winner.
Tom Wheeler – long-time North Fork resident and 1984 winner – served as emcee for the evening.
Two other North Fork residents were nominated, but declined the honor.
The evening included a special memorial remembrance of Zelda Whitener, who passed away in January. Zelda was often nominated, but always declined to accept the recognition of her friends and neighbors.
The Citizen of the Year dinner is sponsored and hosted by the North Fork Boosters. Anyone can nominate a candidate, and nominees are voted on by past winners.
