An Ellijay resident, who said he got more “whippin’s” than any other kid growing up, must have had just enough, because he’s the Gilmer Chamber’s Citizen of the Year.
Edgar Land, who’s held many leadership positions in the community and served hundreds of clients as an accountant, received the honor at the Chamber’s 46th annual meeting. It was held Jan. 24 at First Baptist Church Ellijay.
“I’m very, very humbled to be here today,” Land said in his acceptance speech. “I feel like there’s a lot more deserving people out there than I am, but I’m so proud of the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce.”
Land added that he helped get the Chamber started back in the 1970s. Del Land, last year’s COTY recipient and Edgar’s nephew, announced his win to the crowd of 240 people.
Land has dedicated years and years of his life to service, and has held leadership positions with the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Gilmer High Band Boosters, Coosawattee Shrine Club, Oak Bowery Lodge #81 and served as grand master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.
He leads a weekly Bible study at the Oaks at Ellijay, a senior Living facility, is a deacon and active member of New Hope Baptist Church and a mentor to both students and young adults.
“Through the years, I realized that if I’ve ever done any good in this community, it’s been because of the good Lord’s blessings, and because of others helping me,” Land said.
He went on to thank many former or current Gilmer County residents, including past Masonic mentors, teachers of his and accounting clients. Land thanked his parents for disciplining him for his “misbehavior” growing up, and for always making sure he was in church on Sundays and Wednesdays.
“When I turned 11, the Lord came into my heart and gloriously saved my soul,” he expressed. “Since then, I’ve been a little bit more responsible than I was before. Later in life, I realized I needed to probably get a lot more spankings than what I got, but all of that was a part of shaping me into what I would eventually become.”
He shouted out his high school sweetheart and wife, Barbara, as well as his two children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandkids. Land also honored his brother, Delmar, who lost his life in an accident, to an impaired driver, when he was just 38.
“I want to leave you with this Scripture, Romans 8:28,” he stated. “It says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, and I truly believe that I am a part of all that I have met. Where I am today is not because of some accident or something, but it’s because of the leadership of the good Lord.”
Other 2024 recipients included Sally Daniels Member of the Year, awarded to the Times-Courier’s very own, Rene Wilder, for her dedication to helping with chamber events and her volunteer work.
The Roof, a restaurant located in downtown Ellijay, won Business of the Year. In a video message, co-owner Matt Bond expressed his gratitude to the community for choosing to dine with them.
Nonprofit of the Year was awarded to Habitat for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer County, for their work in constructing homes and “transforming lives.”
“It’s the love and support, the resources, the hours of time, the dedication, that has helped provide us the launch pad to build our first home here in Gilmer County in over 20 years,” Executive Director Anita Hardy said. “Now we’re preparing to build a second home … This [award] truly is an honor.”