The 10th Manni Awards will take place Thursday, March 31. At this time, organizers are planning a small potluck in City Hall’s Memorial Hall with limited attendance.
Zoom and live streaming will be available for anyone who can’t attend the in-person ceremony. Festivities will start at 6 p.m.
Manitou artist K8e Orr is designing the awards.
Barry Beard has been the backbone of the Heritage Center volunteers for more than 10 years. He has volunteered in the museum (one day a week for years), performs much of the maintenance, completes research tasks in response to enquiries via email or phone and has completed numerous projects. Barry is committed to saving the history of our town and epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism.
The BeeHive of Manitou Springs was created to allow people to help others. Originally, it was founded to help local police officers assist people with mental health issues. During the pandemic, it has also given extra help to people dealing with coronavirus-related issues. In the past year, Jessica and Gus Moen have assumed leadership. The BeeHive creates events that connect people and introduces Manitou to trauma-informed community values.
Mike Casey is a longtime Manitou Springs resident and owns Homes of Manitou Springs. Although his day job is helping people find the right home in and around Manitou, he is also passionate about making our community a better place to live, work and play. Mike volunteers his time as vice chair, Manitou Springs Planning Commission; former chair, Community Congregational Church of Manitou Springs board of trustees; and with Fountain Creek clean-ups.
Laura Ettinger-Harwell has been a Manitou activist for more than 20 years. She has supported committees and organizations including the Manitou Springs Library, Author Fest of the Rockies, Manitou Magazine, Happy Cats Haven, the Manitou Art Center and the Community Congregational Church.
Lyn Ettinger-Harwell has been involved with Manitou for the past 10 years. Through the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Congregational Church, the Salvation Army holiday dinners, SunWater Spa, Create Café and more, he has worked tirelessly on behalf of all of us.
Becca Sickbert is the exceptional executive director of the CReative AlliaNcE Manitou Springs. Coordinating efforts with the city and the Chamber of Commerce, she lifts Manitou’s artistic and economic vitality. The efforts Becca has led since 2020 include economic recovery and the launch of Manitou Made, the merger of the Manitou Springs Arts Council and the Manitou Springs Creative District, and the launch of the Avenue Creative Circuit — all to strengthen the local arts community.
Randy Perkins has served our community as a firefighter since 1986. He is deeply engaged in his work as a firefighter, a profession that he chose following his father’s footsteps. He is known to be willing, knowledgeable and experienced but, most of all, everyone knows him to be compassionate and kind. Randy is a friend to anyone who enters his world; many then continue to come to him for guidance and support.
Alicia Stoke is by far the “tip of the spear” when it comes to knowledge, commitment and dedication to serving the citizens, visitors and contractors in our city. She impresses everyone she meets with her ability to guide all though the proper processes regardless of the request. Alicia’s ability to adapt to any situation, whether simple or complex, is breath-taking. She is the cog that keeps the city engine running.
Craig Carnick is a 35-year Manitou resident. Although his professional work as a certified financial planner, chairman emeritus and managing director of Transform Wealth takes him to Colorado Springs most days, much of his volunteer time is spent in Manitou. Craig has belonged to the Manitou Springs Kiwanis Club for 27 years. He volunteers at many community events, including the Pikes Peak Marathon, Care and Share food giveaway, park clean-up and the Kiwanis Scholarship program.
Molly Wingate is the executive director of Poetry Heals, a nonprofit that brings therapeutic poetry writing to people living difficult lives. Molly’s crowning creative achievement partners with institutions that serve veterans, distressed teens, and institutionalized, incarcerated and homeless people. Molly is a 40-year veteran of teaching high school, community college, university and adult students. In 2001, she founded Wingate Consulting. Since 2006, she has written or co-written nine books, including “Slow Parenting Teens.”