Prestigious 2018 Dupree Award

Written By: Jane Jerry | Issue: 2019/01 - Winter

Bob Dupree must have been a pretty remarkable man. Although he divided his time between Tamassee, South Carolina, and Highlands prior to retirement here, he was always actively involved in the community during his months in Highlands.

In addition to being the Presbyterian minister in Highlands twice (!) where he and his wife Mary organized a choir and a basketball team, he also directed the town Recreation Department, leased the Hotel Edwards, taught at Highlands School, and was an enthusiastic thespian.

 Dupree must have been imbued with a ”joi de vivre” as Ran Shaffner’s book “Heart of the Blue Ridge” has 11 references to him – including some lively descriptions of his full-tilt involvement in Hillbilly Days, his memorable role in founding the Highlander Restaurant and his Lions Club position of Tail Twister.

In 1980 the Chamber of Commerce of Commerce decided to recognize Dupree’s leadership role in bettering the community in diverse ways when it established the Robert B. Dupree Award for Religious, Educational and Civic Excellence. That first year, Dupree himself received the award.  In the following years, 38 individuals and community organizations have been honored with this prestigious award, including The Highlands Cashiers Land Trust and The Rotary Club of Highlands.  

Winning the 2018 Robert B. Dupree Award was a surprise and a gratifyingly event for Literacy Council for Highlands leaders on November 14.

“In the past year we’ve seen enrollment in our After School Enrichment and Homework Helpers Programs increase to 34 students,” Executive Director Bonnie Potts said when accepting  the Award.  “In fact, we now have a waiting list of 17 children, many of them siblings of our students whose parents see their skills rapidly improve with the extra help and individual tutoring TLC can provide.

“We are also proud that enrollment in our ESL (English as a Second Language) and GED (adult preparation for High School Diploma) now averages 25.  Many of these adults attend classes after working all day and have children in tow, so we provide dinner and child care to make the classes more convenient.”

Guests at the Awards Event were the first to hear the news that The Literacy Council has signed a lease on the old Post Office space, adjacent to Bryson’s, in Highlands Shopping Center. 

 “Our new site offers many opportunities for increasing our services and introducing new program initiatives.  And, it gives us increased visibility to the community,” Potts said.  “We are also grateful to Lester Norris for making space at the Rec Center available for our afternoon programs as we renovate the new space.  Our Administrative function will operate temporarily out of space near El Azteca Mexican Restaurant.  We look forward to opening our entire operation in our new space in the spring.”

There’s no doubt Bob Dupree would
be proud.

For more information about the Literacy Council and its programs, please call (828) 526-0863.