by Laura Freeman

Reporter

Hudson -- "Sometimes it takes a lifetime to recognize good deeds," Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce awards committee chair Tom Khoury told a crowd of more than 100 April 24 at the Chamber's annual awards luncheon.

The Chamber recognized Margaret "Peg" Clark Morgan as citizen of the year, Jimmy Sutphin and Mary Lou Morse as volunteers excellence, Simply Swank for sustaining business award, Suncrest Gardens for business expansion, Hudson's Restaurant on the Green for new business and Group Transportation Services for 2006 business of the year award.

Khoury said when Hudsonites think of the name Morgan, they think of the late Burton D. Morgan, the millionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist who lived in Hudson. However, "Peg loves to accomplish great things from the back row," he added.

Morgan was recognized for her volunteer efforts and the accomplishments of the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, which provides grants to promote better mental health care.

Morgan thanked the board members of the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation and said she was overwhelmed by what the foundation has been able to achieve. Since 2001, the foundation has awarded more than $6.5 million in grants.

In addition to citizen of the year, the Chamber of Commerce recognized two residents with volunteer excellence awards -- Jimmy Sutphin and Mary Lou Morse.

"You may not know his name but you've seen him everywhere," Khoury said about Sutphin.

Sutphin is a member of the Rotary Club of Hudson, heads Santa on the Green, volunteers at St. Mary Church, drives disabled people to appointments, and works with the Boy Scouts of America, Taste of Hudson and the Salvation Army, Khoury said.

"He does all of this just to see it gets done," Khoury said. "And he likes to capture all of this on his camera."

Sutphin said he grew up in a family where praise was thought to lead to pride.

"But praise is good when you accept praise in a healthy way," Sutphin said. "The words thank you are the best response to generous words of praise. I will continue to say thank you and raise my hand [to volunteer]."

Hudson Community Service Association board member William Koke introduced Morse, who served with HCSA, which initially helped people coming back from World War II, but has been a service organization in Hudson for more than 40 years.

"Mary brought relief to families in need," Koke said. "She made sure school children went to school with new shoes and clothes."

Morse said she could not have done the things she did without the support of the entire community.

GTS on Darrow Road, a third-party transportation provider, received the 2006 business of the year award. GTS was recognized for its commitment to the community and determination to move to Hudson.

The company initially planned to move from Twinsburg into the old library building on Aurora Street in 2005, but eventually settled into its Darrow Road location, where the company continues to grow.

"We had some issues moving into town but are extremely happy where we are," said owner Mike Valentine.

Valentine of Hudson recognized his management team and thanked the Chamber of Commerce, community, family and friends.

Simply Swank Salon and Spa was presented with a sustaining business award. Khoury said Mary Swank, a Hudson High School graduate, began her business 13 years ago. Simply Swank has added 2,000 square feet and has 26 employees with expectations for more growth.

The business expansion award went to Rick Haury of Suncrest Gardens, which employees 40 to 100 people, depending on the season. Suncrest Gardens, which does landscaping and horticulture, has a garden center on Akron-Peninsula Road, where Haury added $800,000 in capital improvements.

"Pretty fancy for a guy who started out mowing lawns," Khoury said.

Haury said the company was "once known as the area's best kept secret," but said the chamber of commerce helped to gain them recognition.

Hudson's Restaurant on the Green was recognized with a new business award, which was accepted by chefs J.J. and Kevin Altomare.

"They knew what type of restaurant they wanted and chose historic Main Street to offer fine casual dining aimed at families and businesses," Khoury said. "We feel they got it all right."

The Altomare brothers thanked the Chamber of Commerce for helping to bring their dream alive in their hometown of Hudson.

E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com

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