Terry Dawson, a member of the Centerview Ruritan Club, has been named the 2012 Ruritan of the Year for the Smoky Mountain District.

Ray Houk, Ruritan District Governor presented Dawson a plaque in recognition of his honor on Friday after while on an official visit to area Ruritan clubs.

According to Houk, Dawson's record as a club member far exceeded anyone else's regarding the number of hours of community service. "His work is remarkable," said Houk. "I don't see how he does it."

Dawson has been a member of Centerview Ruritan Club for "nearly 30 years," he said, and is the new Zone Governor for the Smoky Mountain District, an area which includes Centerview, Cosby, Del Rio, East Roane County, Eaton Crossroads, Edwina, Farragut, Gibbs, Highland Park, Karns, Natural Bridge, Parrottsville, Philadelphia, Piney, Sevier County, and White Pine Ruritan Clubs.

For more details, please see the Thursday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.