While the main focus of the Kingdom of Callaway Supper traditionally is to fete an honored son or daughter who has gone on to achieve success outside the community, time also is taken to recognize the efforts of those who choose to make their homes in Callaway.
At the 2012 Kingdom Supper on March 13, that recognition will go to Nancy Lewis and the Callaway County United Way.
Lewis, who has served as executive director of the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce since 1991, has been named the recipient of the Settler's Award for 2012.
"We thought she has been very involved in our community and done a great deal in many organizations, and was the ideal recipient," said committee member Dan Tucker. "Nancy has lived here more than 20 years, and her resume is outstanding, she just kind of jumped out at us."
Lewis said she and her husband, Dale, made the move to Callaway County in 1980 because of his job with the Callaway Nuclear Plant. She started working part-time at the chamber of commerce in 1988 because "we were looking for me to get more money for my oldest daughter to go to college."
Lewis has been involved with a number of organizations and causes during her 32 years in "The Kingdom," including Friends of the Churchill Museum, the Kiwanis, the PEO women's educational organization, the Fulton Colleges Fund and the United Way.
She said that dedication to community service stems from her upbringing.
"Both Dale and I, our families were involved in the community, so it's just something we grew up with," Lewis said. "If you're involved and doing things and trying to give back, it makes a big difference in how happy you are."
She also cited her roots as the reason the Lewis family chose to stay in Callaway for so long.
"It has been a great place to raise our children (daughters Jennifer and Carrie) and to live," Lewis said. "We both grew up on farms. When Dale was in the Navy we traveled around a lot, living mostly in bigger cities. This was way more comfortable for us."