East Lansing resident and one of the four Crystal Award winners Tom Petroni kisses the award before giving his acceptance speech, April 25, 2013, at the Hannah Community Center. The awards were given to community members who demonstrated outstanding service. Danyelle Morrow/The State News
East Lansing resident Jim Cunningham was supposed to be at an ice rink, taking pictures of his wife Thursday evening.
Instead, he was on a stage at the Hannah Community Center, accepting one of East Lansing’s 2013 Crystal Awards, so named for the crystal bowl given to each recipient. The retired veterinarian has spent the last several years creating and repairing local artwork at little to no public cost, and said he’s enjoyed the work.
“I think I have the best retirement in the world,” Cunningham said.
Also honored at the ceremony were the Hometown Housing Partnership and East Lansing residents Ody Norkin and Tom Petroni. Norkin founded the regional bus service Michigan Flyer, while Petroni has spent the last four years raising money for charity with his band Time2Play, which donates all playing fees to various local charities.
Community members are nominated for the awards by fellow residents, and do not necessarily know they’ve been nominated at the beginning of the selection process. While the awards are officially given on behalf of the East Lansing City Council, an independent committee of local residents chooses the winners, East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Triplett said.
“I get to sit there in the room, but I don’t get a voice,” Triplett said, laughing.
Triplett also said he prefers not to have voice in the process since the decision is always a tough one.
International relations junior Caleigh Nowlin, who was a member of the selection committee, said it was a tough job, but the committee was pleased with its choices.
“We were looking for people who exemplify being a good citizen in East Lansing, and the city wouldn’t be the same without them,” Nowlin said. “I think the people we chose this year were particularly unique in their contributions to the city.”
East Lansing Mayor Diane Goddeeris spoke at the ceremony and congratulated all the nominees, lamenting that not everyone could win.
“In this community, being nominated is an honor,” Goddeeris said. “(But) we can’t give a Crystal Award to everybody.”
When Norkin was presented with his award, he said he was “honored” and “blessed” to represent East Lansing.
He also said a partnership with Indian Trails had a lot to do with his success, and he really shouldn’t get all the credit for Michigan Flyer’s accomplishments.
Petroni was by far the most emotional of the four recipients, as he teared up when presented with his award. Triplett introduced Petroni and called him “truly a treasure to the East Lansing community,” but Petroni said as happy as he is to receive it, he couldn’t accept it just for himself.
“I can’t tell you how important this is to me,” he said. “I’ve dreamt of this award for many years. (But) I’m not sure I deserve to win this award. I will accept this award only on behalf of my band.”
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