Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 9-4-20

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020
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Tampa Native Dee Hewitt Recognized As National Park Service’s 2020 Legends Award Winner
Washington, D. C. - The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is proud to present Deirdre (Dee) Hewitt with the National Park Service’s 2020 Leg- ends Award for outstanding work to improve outdoor recreation experi- ences and opportunities for the Amer- ican people.
Initially presented in 1991, Leg- ends Awardees are nominated by their peers and the awards are given to individuals whose extraordinary ef- forts have made a concrete difference in enhancing outdoor recreation pro- grams and resources.
Ms. Hewitt is Acting Superin- tendent for Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, and Branch Chief for the National Park Service Rivers and Conservation Assis- tance Program.
Deirdre was well applauded by park officials.
"We are thrilled to recognize Dee Hewitt as the National Park Service’s 2020 Legend,” said Jessica Turner, executive director of the Out-
DEIRDRE F. HEWITT ...2020 Legends Award Winner
door Recreation Roundtable. “For more than two decades, she has been a leader in the National Park Service in helping ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion goals are integral to community assistance programs. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Founders Day than honoring a great
partner like Dee.”
“Dee is a well-respected leader in
the National Park Service,” said Reg- gie Chapple, NPS Acting Assistant Director for Partnerships and Civic Engagement. “She has dedicated her career to helping people and commu- nities create more outdoor recreation communities. On behalf of the leader- ship of the National Park Service, I am pleased for this opportunity to recog- nize Dee for her extraordinary ef- forts.”
“A project always seems to go bet- ter when you can ‘connect’ with some- one and feel they really understand what you are trying to accomplish,” said Pamela Medley, president of Chattahoochee Main Street. “In work- ing with Deirdre Hewitt, Chatta- hoochee Main Street felt that connection immediately and because of that we felt confident that our/com- munity project was in good hands. That feeling turned into reality and a wonderful comprehensive master plan was developed under her leadership. It
was great working with her and the team she assembled.”
The full award citation and a spe- cial video message from Acting Assis- tant Director Chapple are available at www.recreationroundtable.org/202 0-legends/.
Previous Legends Awards have been presented at the annual Partners Outdoors conference, held in June. Unfortunately, Partners Outdoors 2020 was cancelled due to complica- tions from COVID-19. An in-person ceremony will take place at Partners Outdoors 2021.
Deirdre is the daughter of the late Dr. John L. Hewitt, DDS, and Gwen Hewitt.
Deirdre attended St. Peter Claver and St. Lawrence Catholic Schools, and graduated from Chamberlain High School. She also graduated from Florida A & M University: Bachelor of Science Psychology (Major), Biology (Minor). She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorpo- rated.
Riccardo’s Opens In Westshore Mall
Riccardo’s, a contemporary and classic menswear store, held its Grand Opening on Saturday, August 22, 2020, in Westshore Plaza. J. Ricc Rollins is the owner. (Pho- tographs by Frederick Harris)
Ricc Rollins, Arlene Brooks and Erik Wise are shown at the shop following the ribbon cutting.
J. Rick Wright and Eric Green supported the Grand Opening.
Kelvin McCree was among those in attendance.
Mayor Jane Castor attended the Grand Opening as did Starr Brookins, Dr. Sonja Brookins and Arriyanna Brookins.
Ellen Fiss and Olivia Fiss were among the shop- pers who supported the business.
Earl Bedford and Pearl Bedford are shown with Mayor Castor and Ricc.