Dean Waddle Receives Award

     Eatonville Mayor Harold Parnell (left) presented a Community Service Award to Roxy Theater manager Dean Waddle for  his years of devotion to the town in many ways. The plaque reads,, "Awarded to Dean Waddle From Mayor Parnell and the Town of Eatonville in Recognition of Outstanding Community Service Past, Present and Future, November 2002." (photo by Dixie A. Walter)

First Person to Receive New Town Award

    Eatonville resident  Dean Waddle received the first Community Service Award presented by the Town of Eatonville. Mayor Harold Parnell presented the plaque to Waddle during the council meeting Monday, Nov. 25. Waddle's efforts to lend a hand to the community have been recognized before. Approximately two years ago he was named one of the Ohop Granges Person of the Year.
     Waddle moved to Eatonville in 1996 and "fit right in."  He is a big, kind-hearted, community-minded man and a past president of the Eatonville Chamber of Commerce. When Waddle and his partners began renovating the old Roxy Theater building the men did so with great respect for the townspeople and the original owners Angelo and Regina Pecchia. They restored the original Roxy neon sign which had been dark for many, many years. It was a happy day for the town when the Roxy lights glowed once more.
     Although "Mr. Peach" died before Waddle came to Eatonville he did have a chance to meet "Mrs. Peach." Regina Pecchia was scheduled to be part of the reopening ceremonies. Sadly, she passed away days before the ceremonies. Although Waddle was new to the area he mourned her passing just as long-time residents mourned. He truly is a credit to Eatonville.
      Town Clerk Carrielyn Loffelmacher read the following announcement as the mayor presented the plaque: "Tonight the Mayor and Town of Eatonville would like to take a moment to recognize citizen Dean Waddle for his outstanding community service, past, present and future.
      "He is most known for being a valued business member of the Town of Eatonville where he manages the Roxy Theater and once a month allows citizens to watch a movie for free.
      "What you may not know is that Dean plants the flowers in the whiskey barrels around the town at no charge. And he also donated plants to Smallwood Park. In addition he also organizes the beautiful flower baskets every year for the town.
      "Thank you Dean for all your great efforts in making Eatonville a brighter place and on behalf of the mayor and the town, [we] award you with this plaque as a token of our appreciation."

"Pity the poor kids who grow up in a big city. They miss the little things that made growing up in a small town, ah, so wonderful."
~Tom Morrow