Gina Harrison with the Northwood High School Band Boosters in Chatham County recently posted this tribute to one of the club's volunteers, Chris Hooft of Pittsboro, at share.triangle.com.

At the annual Northwood High School Concert for Memorial Day, the Band Boosters presented the Richardson Award to Chris Hooft. The Richardson Award was created in 2007 to honor a band parent whose extraordinary work supports the instrumental music program at Northwood High School and the award is now an annual presentation. The boosters are fortunate to have several parents who were nominated for this year's award. Chris Hooft has been involved with the program for six years and has been part of many aspects of the booster program. Hooft drives the activity bus to and from band events, offers his help for any task that the band director requests and has been very active in fundraising, especially the UNC concession work. Eugene Cottrell, director of the NHS Instrumental Music program, stated that, "Chris gives his time selflessly to the band program, and he deserves this award very much." Congratulations to this dedicated volunteer and member of our community.

BAND WINS BLUEGRASS CONTEST: The Nu-Blu bluegrass band of Siler City won first place -- $500, studio recording time and two future concert gigs -- during the bluegrass competition at the Got to Be NC Festival on June 7 at the State Fairgrounds. Band members are: Levi Austin on banjo; Kendall Gales on mandolin; Carolyn Routh on bass, and Daniel Routh on guitar. Second place was a tie between Carolina Junction of Holly Springs and Blue Horizon of Candor. Bands were judged on appearance, presentation and technical ability, entertainment value, professionalism, vocal ability and instrument. Nu-Blu will perform at the Bass Mountain Labor Day Festival.