CARY, N.C. – Peggy Van Scoyoc is the recipient of Cary’s annual Hometown Spirit Award, which is designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary by preserving, promoting, and carrying out positive small-town community values and traits. Mayor Weinbrecht announced the 2023 winner during last night’s Council meeting.
Van Scoyoc was described by her nominators as a cherished Cary historian who has dedicated over 24 years to collecting and sharing oral histories, most recently reaching a milestone of her 100th oral history. Van Scoyoc’s nominators noted that this collection is part of the Southern Oral History Program at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and some oral history selections are included in Van Scoyoc’s books, Just A Horse‐Stopping Place and Desegregating Cary. Through Van Scoyoc’s books and active involvement with the Friends of the Page-Walker as a long-time board member and multiple-term past president, she promotes Cary's heritage and small-town spirit, fostering a sense of community through speaking engagements and outreach events like Herbfest. Van Scoyoc shares Cary's rich history via blogs, social media, and the Friends of the Page-Walker’s newsletter, maintaining a legacy of Cary’s rich history.
Inspired by a suggestion from Cary citizen Clifton Barnes, the Hometown Spirit Award is bestowed upon citizens with demonstrated leadership and integrity. In addition, the recipient must exemplify at least one of the following criteria:
- Helps neighbors and fellow Cary citizens.
- Demonstrates hospitality.
- Promotes and preserves traditional American pastimes.
- Shows a concern for preservation and works to preserve traditions and the small-town atmosphere in the community.
- Promotes a sense of community in their neighborhood and all of Cary.
- Demonstrates patriotism through promotion and preservation of the country’s symbols and dedication to the U.S. military, past and present.
- Serves the community through business.
Cary citizens age 21 and older were eligible for the award. In addition to Van Scoyoc, this year’s nominees included Kara Daniels Hand and Frank B. Yarborough.
For more information, visit carync.gov/spirit.
Primary Contacts
If you have specific questions about Cary services or operations, email
311@carync.gov or call 311 anywhere in Cary (919) or 469-4000 outside town limits.
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