Pickens city councilman Carlton Holley, left, receives the Duke Energy Citizen of the Year Award from Duke’s Scott Miller.

Holley earns Citizen of the Year Award

The Pickens Revitalization Association and the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce came together recently to host an annual banquet honoring businesses and individuals for their contributions to the city.

Held at The Lighthouse Restaurant on Lake Keowee on Feb. 21, the banquet offered a night of fantastic food and jazz entertainment, provided by RazzMaJazz, for more than 125 guests.

The Duke Energy Citizen of the Year Award — the night’s top individual honor — was presented to city councilman Carlton Holley, a longtime Pickens resident who is passionately involved in several local organizations.

GateHouse Restaurant was honored as the Chamber Member of the Year at the banquet, while the Pickens Revitalization Association named Jeannie Gilstrap as its Volunteer of the Year, Nestfeathers as the Community Business of the Year and Oh Joy! as the best interior/exterior rehabilitation in Pickens.

The event was sponsored by the City of Pickens, Duke Energy, Blue Ridge Electric Coop, Southern Wesleyan University, Pickens YMCA, Hiott for House, JR Automation, TD Bank, GateHouse Restaurant, Flowers by Virginia, Faith Lutheran Chapel and Meals on Wheels.