3 Honored for Shaping Community

3 honored for shaping community

Glacier Hills Retirement Center has announced its first annual Golden Circle Awards to honor distinguished citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the community. On Friday, three will be honored: Howard S. Holmes, Margaret Dow Towsley and Letty M. Wickliffe.

Holmes, president and chairman of the Chelsea Milling Company, is a long-standing community philanthropist. He was a principal oraganizer of the fundraising effort to create a new cancer center at Catherine McAuley Health System. When Washtenaw Community College was founded in the 1960s, Holmes helped to achieve voter approval of the necessary tax millage. He has devoted time and energy to Ronald McDonald House, Chelsea Community Hospital, Methodist Retirement Home, Boy Scouts of America and numerous other charitable organizations.

Towsley has had a lifelong commitment to the community, especially as an advocate for women's education. She was active in the Ann Arbor City Council and was the first female member. Towsley's humanitarian spirit has touched many organizations and she has served on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood, YMCA, Ann Arbor Family Services, American Red Cross, Ann Arbor United Way, Women’s City Club, Washtenaw County Cerebral Palsy Association and the Michigan Community Theatre Foundation.

Wickliffe, a resident of Glacier Hills, has devoted her life to helping and teaching others. Professionally, she was a department director for exceptional children, those who were mentally retarded or gifted, for the Indianapolis School Board. In retirement, she became involved in community affairs and politics, including memberships on the boards of Catherine McAuley Health Systems, Ann Arbor Planning Commission, Huron Valley Child Guidance Clinic and Dawn Farms.

Tickets for the Golden Circle Awards dinner are available for $75 per person by calling Glacier Hills at 663-5202. The dinner and presentation will be at the Michigan League Ballroom.