Couple honored for help
ADAMS TWP — Two proud, yet shocked, Martians received a very special award on Thursday night.
John and Chris Clutter were named Martians of the Year at the second Mars New Year Blast-Off Dinner, held at Twelve Oaks Mansion.
The award is given to a person or persons who exemplify service to one's community.
“My heart just dropped,” John Clutter said this morning of his feelings when he and his wife were announced as the winners. “I was like 'What?'”
According to Clutter, it was unusual for him to attend the upscale dinner at all.
“I don't go to things like that,” Clutter said of the $100-per-person dinner. “I don't like it, but the wife talked me into it.”
The couple began to wonder what was happening when their sons, John Jr. and Michael, and their daughter, Terry, appeared on the stage with Mars New Year committee member John Watson just before he announced the award.
“We had no idea what was going on, and then we saw them all coming in and we both said 'Why are they here and all dressed up like that?'” Clutter said.
The couple, who have served with the volunteer fire company, emergency medical services, historical society and other groups, were flabbergasted when their names were announced.
“Both the wife and I, we cried,” Clutter said.
Watson explained this morning that the Clutters help out whenever needed without expecting anything in return.
He said John has painted murals around town, polishes the USS Mars bell after it rains, repaints the “Welcome to Mars” sign at the borough entrance whenever it becomes faded, and helps out in hundreds of other ways.
“They volunteer for just about everything,” said Watson, who is also the president of the Mars History and Landmark Society.
Clutter said he was still reeling this morning.
“It's still a shock,” he said. “It's just town pride, and you take care of things and sooner or later it comes back to you, I guess.”
Other award winners at the Blast-Off Dinner were Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau President Jack Cohen, who received the Martian For Life Award.
Watson said Cohen has gone above and beyond the call of duty in helping promote the Mars New Year in any way he can.
“He's Santa Claus for Butler County,” Watson said. “If it wasn't for them (the bureau), (the second Mars New Year) wouldn't have taken off like it did.”
The Martian Pat On The Back Award went to John Koenig, who began the Martian New Year that was held on Dec. 31 beginning in 2000.
“Without him, the current Mars New Year wouldn't have snowballed like it did,” Watson said.
The Mars New Year festivities will be held today from 4 to 10 p.m., and all day on Saturday.
WHAT: Mars New Year celebrationWHEN: 4 to 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Downtown MarsINFORMATION: Visit www.marsnewyear.com
