Southwest Missouri News--Carthage

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Marti Attoun, Joplin area

Eleanor Coffield was named Citizen of the Year and Lowell Davis received the Artist Recognition Award at the annual Carthage Chamber of Commerce Banquet Jan. 23 at the Precious Moments Convention Center.

Coffield was recognized for her many volunteer services, including helping develop the Jasper County Museum and the Carthage Civil War Museum.

Davis helped establish Carthage's reputation as an artists' community, said Andy Thomas, fellow artist. He encouraged other artists to move here, including Sam Butcher, whose Precious Moments figurines are collected nationwide.