| Neely
legacy: loft vision and results to match |
Consummate Salesman: In
July of 2003, the Visitor Center project had progressed
far enough so that Ron could offer a tour to the
Board of Directors of HGI. From left to right, Matt
Schmalz, Ginny Fountain, Herb Wanderer, Sandra Dallas,
Bob Primus, and Ron Neely. Photo
by Cynthia Skeen. |
Proud Papa: Ron
gleefully greeted photographer Bobbie Hawkes in front
of the completed Visitor Center in January of 2005.
The Center officially opened on December 31, 2003. |
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Auction and Gala: The
early auctions included dinner and dancing, and
attracted 250 to 400 people. Cynthia Neely recalls
that she never really attended an auction, because
she always worked at them. However, she and Ron
paused to smile for the unknown photographer in
the early 1980's. Photo
courtesy of Cynthia Neely.
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| More Surprises:
Jumping the gun by two weeks on the Hamill Park
dedication, the Town of Georgetown proclaimed
August 31, 2005, as Ronald J. Neely Day. Robert
and Betty Hall, at left, looked over the finished
gardens as Police Judge Robert Smith read the
declaration to a seated Ron. Photo
by Cynthia Skeen. |
| Another day,
another dream: Ron
always made a point of documenting restoration
projects around town, including the restoration
of Christine Bradley's home on Second Street.
Photo
by a very nervous Christine Bradley. |
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The
family of Ronald J. Neely has requested that
memorial
donations be given to Historic Georgetown,
Inc.
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Dreams of Hamill Park: Never
one to miss an opportunity for celebration and ceremony,
Ron presided over the ground breaking for the Hamill
Park gardens in August of 2003. Shown with members
of the planning committee, Ron ducked to make sure
everyone's face was in the picture. From left to right,
Mary Lou Rutherford, Dierdre Baldwin, Coralue Anderson,
Tina Bishop, Christine Bradley, Kathy Hoeft, Karin
Gibbs, Ron Neely, Kathie Wilson, Patty Fraley, and
Polly Werlin. Photo
by Cynthia Skeen. |
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Surprise Honoree: Although
everyone knew Ron wouldn't have asked for any kind
of recognition for his efforts in bringing the Visitor
Center to Georgetown, the Board of Directors of HGI
dedicated the Tower Library to him. Chairman of the
Board Matthew Skeen unveiled the plaque at the dedication
ceremony which was held in July of 2004.
HGI
staff photo. |
At the Hotel de Paris: Ellen
Riddle, Chairman of Restoration for the Hotel de Paris
Museum, huddled with Ron in the kitchen next to the
coffee grinder in May of 1985. Mary Clark, her daughter,
remembers that she consulted with Ron about everything
she found in the hotel, and he always had an answer
for her. Raymond
A. Bleesz, Photographer. |
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