Crystal’s Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Awards 2022
What does it take to be a great neighbor in Crystal? Well, among other things, decorating your yard for Christmas, and being the neighborhood Santa Claus. Picking the neighbor kids up from school, and watching them til Mom gets home from work. EVERY DAY! Being built-in grandparents to a neighbor’s children. Or being a prolific holiday decorator, and being an understanding ear during stressful times. One of Keith Weiman’s neighbors says Keith is a great neighbor for going above and beyond for all his neighbors with things like yard work, but also because he turns his yard into Santa’s Village, and “wears the full on Ol’ Saint Nick costume” so families can take pictures with Santa Clause. For FREE! Just to put a smile on the neighborhood kids’ faces. According to one of their neighbors, Kate & Sean Pegg are two of the most genuinely sincere people she’s ever met, and that when she had to adjust her work schedule, Kate & Sean were able to pick her kids up EVERY DAY, and watch them until she got home. On top of this, they would come to her son’s baseball games, take care of her pets when needed, and more. She says, “The Pegg family are awesome people, so sweet and always ready to help!” Garnet Barnett is a prolific holiday decorator. According to one neighbor, “As soon as one holiday ends, he takes those decorations down and begins decorating for the next holiday.” He plowed neighbors’ driveways, provided educational enrichment for a neighbor’s young child, as well as an understanding ear for that child’s mother. He’s always available for spontaneous conversation, and he has a particularly joyful countenance. As one neighbor puts it, Janet & Dean Birkholz “are amazing people!” They have sweet ways of teaching her children lessons. Jan loves to garden, and she lets the kids come over and “help” her with the gardening, and when Dean is building or fixing things the kids get to watch and learn. They’re built-in grandparents. They never miss the kids’ birthdays or Christmas, and they’re happy to play cards and chat with them. And Jan and Dean help Mom, too, whether snowblowing her driveway, or teaching how to change flat tire. For these reasons, and more the City of Crystal recognizes all of these great neighbors with the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Award.
