Message:
3 join county Hall of Fame - 02/19/2003
Evening News photo by VALERIE TOBIAS
Emotional and momentarily speechless, broadcaster Paul W. Smith acknowledges his family (left) during Mr. Smith's induction into the Monroe County Hall of Fame Tuesday at the Monroe County Courthouse. "It is an honor and a privilege to always think of Monroe as my home," Mr. Smith said. Paul W. Smith, Elizabeth Upham McWebb and the late Harry Firestone became latest honorees with many family members present for the ceremony. BY DEAN COUSINO Evening News staff writer As a well-known broadcaster and radio talk show host, Paul W. Smith seldom is speechless. But he couldn't find any words as he introduced his wife and family during his induction ceremony Tuesday night into the Monroe County Hall of Fame. "This is my wife, Myreya, who is pregnant with my daughter, Sophia," due in April, a proud Mr. Smith said while holding back tears. "This really is a family award. Monroe is about families." The WJR radio morning personality was one of three inductees into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in the Monroe County Courthouse lobby. The Class of 2002 also included Elizabeth Upham McWebb, better known as Aunt Bett to hundreds of children in the region who have read her story books, and the late Harry Firestone, former superintendent of Ida Public Schools for 34 years who died July 3, 2001. Mrs. McWebb, 98, was at home recovering from a fall in October, according to about a half-dozen relatives who accepted a plaque in her honor. "She's doing pretty good," Mrs. Graham (Sue) Currie of Monroe, her grandniece, said after the ceremony. "She's using a walker to get around and still painting her cups and doing crossword puzzles." Accepting the plaque from Commissioner Floreine Mentel was Mrs. Currie's brother, Andy Friedline of Monroe, a grandnephew of Mrs. McWebb. "Aunt Bett bought many a book at the Thrift Store (to give) to kids because of her love for children," Mrs. Mentel told a crowd of about 50 people. Mary Gianino of Bloomfield Hills accepted the award from Commiss- ioner Dale Zorn on behalf of her father, Mr. Firestone. Accompanying her was her husband, Sam; daughter, Angela of Bloomfield Hills, and her fiancée, Dave Marihugh of Royal Oak, and Mrs. Gianino's son, A.J., of Ida. Each presenter had a story to tell. Mr. Zorn remembered Mr. Firestone walking the hallways at Ida High School and greeting him. "I can remember it like it was just yesterday," he recalled. "He'd always stop and say hello. Then he'd say, ‘Shouldn't you be in class?'" Commissioner David Scott introduced Mr. Smith, who said he was humbled "by the company I get to keep on the wall." He recalled how he got started in broadcasting when he was 15 at local radio station WVMO, known as the "Voice of Monroe County." Although he has been in broadcasting for 35 years and worked in places like New York and Philadelphia, he has never forgotten his roots. "It's an honor and a privilege to always think of Monroe as my home," he said. "Even when I was on the East Coast, I loved to talk about Monroe." He said he got his voice from his father, William D., and his "guts and drive" from his mother, Marie. He praised both of his parents for revitalizing the Monroe Community Players and "bringing theater back to Monroe." Mr. Smith had the most relatives present, including his son, Adam, 10; his mother; brother, Mark D., a local attorney and a former city councilman, and his wife, Bernie; a sister, Alison Avendt, and several nieces and nephews. His father is recovering from a recent illness and could not attend. Mrs. McWebb also was well represented. Also present were her niece, Barbara Crocker of Rockwood; Rockwood City Clerk Patricia Roxberry, a great-grandniece, and her daughter, Christina Kush of Rockwood, a great-great-grandniece; Michael Crocker of Flat Rock, a great-grandnephew, and Sharon Friedline of Monroe, a great-grandniece. Jason Rivard, chairman of the Monroe County Republican Party, also presented each recipient's family a special tribute passed by the area's three Republican lawmakers, the state Legislature and Gov. Jennifer Granholm. The hall was established in 1999 by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners to recognize individuals "who have attracted national or regional recognition" of the county through their achievements or contributions. V. Lehr Roe, chairman of the board, praised the three inductees, saying the "rest of us have benefited from their excellence." Richard G. Micka, chairman of a six-member Hall of Fame Task Force, introduced members of the panel. Commissioner William D. Sisk said the group has a difficult task picking honorees. He said there were several nominations for the honor.
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