Durham’s InterNeighborhood Council honors its latest crop of Neighborhood Heroes Tuesday night, and this time the sideman gets a leading role.

Bill Anderson, the award ceremony’s traditional emcee, won a nomination from his own Duke Park neighbors.

“I’m embarrassed and proud at the same time,” Anderson said.

He gets to share the spotlight with 25 other individuals from 17 other neighborhoods, spanning Durham County from Falconbridge, off N.C. 54, north to Rougemont, near the Person County line.

In addition, a Good Neighbor Award is going to Gary Kueber for his historical websites Endangered Durham and Open Durham.

“His work is not tied to a specific neighborhood,” said INC President John Martin, but it is “of incalculable value to many neighborhoods.”

Others recognized are:

• Judy Holt – Rougemont

• Priscilla Fosnaught – Falconbridge;

• Rachel Royster – Catsburg;

Norris Cotton – Forest Hills;

• Joseph Clarke, Jamie Shorey, Andrew Ovenden and Paula Scatoloni – Green Mill;

• Helen Compton, Heather Solari – Old West Durham;

• William Yates – Cook Road;

• Roland Terry – S. Lowell Rd.;

• Karen Stark – Watts-Hillandale;

• Scott Carter – Woodcroft;

• John Schelp – Old West Durham;

• David White – Woodlake;

• DeDreana & Antoine Freeman – Golden Belt;

• Barbara Lofton – Fisher Heights;

• Donald Clary-Northgate Park.

“It is really important to recognize people who put a lot of effort into their neighborhoods, and never get any recognition,” Martin said.

Anyone could make a nomination, for any particular reason or reasons. Past awards had been made for organizing a neighborhood Fourth of July Parade, looking after elderly neighbors, aiding a mugging victim or a long history of service.

Anderson’s nomination mentioned his work to stop illegal dumping and unlicensed vending, and ongoing campaign to preserve the Duke Park bathhouse.

Among this year’s other winners, David White was commended for creating a Neighborhood Watch and his “true desire to make our neighborhood a better place.” Rachel Royster’s nomination mentioned her caring for the disabled and ill and “all events and concerns that might affect the community.” And so on.

For the first time, the ceremony is being held at the Motorco nightclub on Rigsbee Avenue at Geer Street, site of September’s debut event for the book “27 Views of Durham.” Previous Neighborhood Hero venues have been the Washington Duke Inn, University Club and Rigsbee Hall.

“I think the change in venue will probably change the feeling of the event significantly,” Anderson said.

Wise: 919-641-5895