Time running out to tell us about swell neighbor

Time is ticking away in The Spokesman-Review’s Good Neighbor contest.

Entry deadline is Aug. 11, leaving only two weeks for readers to write a letter nominating a neighbor who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

We won’t know about those wonderful neighbors unless you tell us.

We want to hear about how someone helped you when you were sick or had car trouble. We want to hear about the time you went on vacation and your neighbor watered your lawn and fed your cat.

Good neighbors can be the heart and soul of the community. Often they turn down any suggestions of payment, so we want to give them a little recognition. Winners will be chosen from the North Side, South Side and Valley.

Each winner will be the guest of honor at a catered block party and receive a plaque recognizing their contributions. Each winner will also be profiled in a Voice story detailing their good deeds.

Last year Patty Luse and Mable Lockwood wrote to nominate their Valley neighbor, Cherie Spragg. They wrote: “We would like to nominate Cherie Spragg for the Good Neighbor contest. Cherie is the heartbeat of the neighborhood; she is the glue that keeps things together; she is the friendly smile that can be counted upon to organize, suggest and initiate action.

“Cherie is a visible presence in the neighborhood who is always ready with a smile and a short visit with everyone she sees. She is at the heart of the neighborhood; activities and events revolve around her, her house and yard and her enthusiasm.

“She is the driving force behind annual block parties and barbecues, the Christmas bunko parties and the monthly ladies breakfasts and chat sessions.

“Cherie is among the first on the block to greet new arrivals and welcome them to the neighborhood. She adds their names and phone numbers to the neighborhood phone list that she compiled so all of us would be able to contact each other easily.

“Whenever anyone is gone from hone, Cherie willingly volunteers to pick up the paper, bring in the mail, water flowers, and feed and exercise pets.

“She often goes beyond the call of duty. For example, when the refrigerator quit working while she was watching a house for vacationing neighbors, Cherie cleaned out the spoiled contents and had the refrigerator ready to be replaced when the owners arrived home.

“Since I am unable to drive at night but am an avid sports fan, Cherie volunteered to chauffeur me to the B basketball games and a couple of hockey games.

“Cherie Spragg is a tribute to our neighborhood and richly deserves to receive the recognition of this award. It is past time to acknowledge her contributions to all of us living here, and it is with pleasure and sincerity that we offer this nomination.”

Like all of our previous winners, Spragg spreads her time and talents to numerous neighbors, not just one person. She gives of her time, not her pocketbook. And she doesn’t send a bill when she’s done.

That’s the kind of generous neighbor we’re looking for.

If you think your neighbor has the right stuff to win our contest, write us a letter of 250 words or less and tell us why (see the information box for details).

Be specific. Tell us exactly what your neighbor has done to stand out in the crowd.

And tell us quickly. The deadline is approaching.