One of West Jefferson’s most prominent citizens was honored this week with the state’s highest civilian award in recognition of public service.

Dale Baldwin, businessman, volunteer, former town alderman and mayor, was presented with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, among the most prestigious awards from the governor of North Carolina.

Presenting the award during a special reception Tuesday evening at Ashe County Public Library was NC Rep. Cullie Tarleton. “This is your life,” Tarleton said to Baldwin as he proceeded to read a list of accomplishments and community service. These included 55 years with the Lions Club, 42 years with the Red Cross, 10 years on the board of Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, 5 years with the Ashe County Historical Society, member and office holder with Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church, 10 years as town alderman beginning in 1985, and elected mayor for 10 years from 1997 to 2007.

“When Dale stepped down as mayor, I decided we needed to do something to honor him,” Tarleton said. So he contacted Governor Michael Easley who approved conferring Baldwin with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

This award is presented to individuals who have a proven record of exemplary service to the state. Contributions to their communities, extra effort in their careers, and many years of service to their chosen organizations are some of the guidelines by which recipients are selected.

Past recipients include sports star Michael Jordan, newsman Charles Kuralt, author Maya Angelou, the Rev. Billy Graham, Rick Hendrick of NASCAR fame, former University of North Carolina president William C. Friday, novelist and cartoonist Doug Marlette, poet Fred Chappell, professor and university chancellor Lloyd V. Hackley, and artist Bob Timberlake. Another local recipient is Ashe County Manager Dan McMillan, awarded by Gov. Jim Martin in 1992 for public service in Alleghany and Wilkes counties.

“Dale has provided extraordinary service to the West Jefferson community,” Tarleton said, “and if all he’s done doesn’t qualify him, I don’t know what does.”

Tarleton read the certificate, which states in part: “Reposing special confidence in the integrity, learning and zeal of Dale Baldwin, I, Michael F. Easley, do by these presents confer The Order of the Long Leaf Pine with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary, privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order, among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina toast in select company anywhere in the free world.”

And the toast begins: “Here’s to the land of the long leaf pine, the summer land where the sun doth shine, where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great. Here’s to