RECEIVING THE ORDER OF THE LONG LEAF PINE are (back, from left) John Woodruff and John Miller. In the foreground are the men's wives, Rita Woodruff (left) and Angelia Miller.

Local men earn statewide honor

Alleghany educators John Miller and John Woodruff were bestowed the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during a presentation in front of a standing room only audience Oct. 3 at Blue Ridge Electric.

The event was presided over by Superior Judge Richard Doughton, with the awards presented by Rep. Jim Harrell III. Although Doughton pointed out during his speech that he could not mention each of the men's individual contributions to the Alleghany community through the years during the event, he did highlight some of them.

John Miller has served as the Mayor of the Town of Sparta since 1982, has served as a trustee of Alleghany Memorial Hospital since 1971 and as a town representative on the High Country Region D board for 28 years. Miller is also a retired principal of Sparta School, worked with the local school system from 1954 through 1987. During 1956 and 1957, Miller served in the U.S. Army. He is a charter member of the Alleghany Rotary Club and an individual who supports the teapot museum project for the area. Miller also served as the chairman for the High Country Region D board for three years, was an outstanding executive board member in 1987, 1994 and 2001, was an outstanding elected official in 1994 and received the North Carolina Hospital Association Service Award in 1999 and was appointed to the Transportation Communications and Public Safety Committee of the North Carolina League of Municipalities in 2001. In 2006, Miller received the North Carolina Inter-Government Award and in 2007, received the Charles Von Cannon, the highest award bestowed on an individual by the Region D High Country. The award has only been given five times in the last 35 years.

 

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