Local News

McLean County History Makers Honored

WGLT | By Colleen Reynolds

Published June 16, 2017 at 11:55 PM CDT

Two men in formal wear with one holding a plaque.

1 of 8

Current Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner and former Mayor Jesse Smart. Renner pointed out Smart is tied with former Mayor Bob McGraw as the longest serving mayor with 12 years in leadership. He said Smart led Bloomington through unprecedented growth.

Colleen Reynolds / WGLT

Man in a tux with a microphone in his hand.

2 of 8

Former Mayor Jesse Smart said of his accomplishments, "I had a lot of good help including a council that was very progressive and helped make things happen. I had the greatest help in this lady sitting right here," Smart added about his wife Susan.

Colleen Reynolds / WGLT

Two men, one with a mic in the middle and a shorter woman all smiling.

3 of 8

Lawyer & longtime friend Bob Lenz acknowledged Charles and Jeanne Morris. Jeanne Morris said,"This award honors many others in the fight for human dignity." She added,"Recent activities in America reveal it is not as good as it should be but worse."

Colleen Reynolds / WGLT

Two women with one holding a microphone.

4 of 8

Carolyn Townley and History Marker Judy Stone, founder of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Stone said, "Being able to volunteer has been one of the joys of my life. By doing these various things I've received a lot more than I've given," she said.

Colleen Reynolds / WGLt

5 of 8

History Maker Craig Hart and Presenter & Friend Steve Wannemacher. "To be included in this group is very humbling," Hart said. "I owe much to the people I have worked with . Central Illinois has been a wonderful place to work and live," he added.

Colleen Reynolds / WGLT

Man at a podium with Illinois State University Seal

6 of 8

Incoming McLean County History Museum Board President Bill Zimmerman is taking the reins from Carolyn Yockey.

Colleen Reynolds / WGLT

Student perform a play on stage and stand on boxes with images of McLean Co History Makers.

7 of 8

Young actors helped Playwright Kathleen Kirk write a script that tied the challenges of today such as classroom bullying to the issues the History Makers confronted in their day. The young people were directed by Rhys Lovell.

Colleen Reynolds / WGLT

Sepia toned cover of the program for the History Makers Gala

8 of 8

The cover of the program for the History Makers Gala.

Colleen Reynolds / WGLt

Former Bloomington Mayor Jesse Smart joked as he received the McLean County History Museum's History Makers Award, "We all at some time in our life hope that at our funeral somebody will have something nice to say. So, I appreciate the fact that I am here tonight ."[to hear nice comments.]

Each year the McLean County Museum of History Board selects the History Makers who are recognized for outstanding, lifelong contributions of time and talents that have helped make McLean County a better place to live.

This year's History Makers include:

• Craig Hart, business leader, preservationist, and volunteer who co-founded Heritage Enterprises in 1962 and worked to restore and preserve historic downtown Bloomington;

• Charles and Jeanne Morris, educators, civil rights activists, and volunteers whose involvement with numerous organizations have improved life for minorities and children in the community;

• Jesse Smart, who served three terms as mayor of Bloomington and has participated in numerous volunteer organizations; and

• Judy Stone, whose work as a volunteer and activist included the foundation of the local branches of Amnesty International and Habitat for Humanity.