ELLIJAY, Ga. – Three members of Gilmer’s community were honored this week for their contributions as the Commissioners took a moment out of their regular monthly meeting to offer letters of recognition to Gary Engel, Larry Lykins, and Mack Logan.

The county gave the framed certificates of appreciation to each member as Chairman Paris read the recognitions.

For his contributions to the wine vineyard community, his service with Georgia Wine Producers and four years on the Board of Directors with terms as both President and Vice-President, his service as a board member of the Georgia Wine and Grape Commission under the Department of Agriculture, for his leadership, guidance, community service, and personal achievement, the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners recognized Gary Engel’s dedication and devoted service to the Wine Community.

For his contributions to the wine vineyard community, his overall service with, including time as Secretary of, the Georgia Wine Growers Association, for his part in establishing the Georgia Wine Producers Association and service as President for two years, for his leadership, guidance, community service, and personal achievement, the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners recognized Larry Lykins’ dedication and devoted service to the Wine Community.

From left to right, Gary Engel, Larry Lykins, and Mack Logan were honored for their community contributions during the BOC’s May meeting.

For his contributions to the community, agricultural industry, for his service as a Gilmer County Commissioner on the first five-person board following a solo commissioner, his support and contributions to the Gilmer County High School FFA program, his part in the Georgia Poultry Federation, his support of “numerous community organizations,” his contributions to charitable efforts and school programs through sponsorships and donations, for his leadership, guidance, community service, and personal achievement, the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners recognized Mack Logan’s dedication and devoted service to the Agricultural Community and Gilmer County’s quality of life.

Each were presented with there certificates by Chairman Paris after reading.

Engel thanked the board, saying he was humbled by the recognition. He said that leadership is about serving and he hoped he was able to help the community grow.

Logan said he felt honored and appreciated the thoughts of the county in recognition.

One final note of the ceremony came as Engel stated that Gilmer County will soon be the “most populated county with wineries of any county south of Virginia.”