News : Party in the Park Committee Announces 2011 Grand Marshals

Roger and Dorothy Albert will be Grand Marshals of the 20th Party in the Park Parade.

“Well, they need a couple clowns in every parade, I suppose.” Dorothy Albert joked when she heard the news that she and her husband Roger had been selected as the 2011 Party in the Park Grand Marshals. “It’s really a great honor. We’re really excited”, she said. “We were really surprised,” Roger added.

Seven children, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren might give the average couple enough to keep busy. But it doesn’t take long to see that Roger and Dorothy are not just the “average” couple. They’ve led a busy life together serving the Vinton community during their 23 year marriage.

Roger and Dorothy have volunteered at the Palace Theatre since its reopening 10 years ago and still attend weekly. They are active members of First Christian Church where Dorothy serves as a Chaplin to VGH, the Lutheran Home and Cedar Valley Ranch.

Dorothy’s service in town is legendary. Dorothy was instrumental in bringing the Special Olympics Torch Run to Vinton. A rock marking the event sits on the courthouse lawn. “We drove many miles in the country looking for that rock,” Roger said. She’s past president of the Vinton Women’s club, and a Woman of the Year award winner. She’s received a key to the city. She’s served on the Virginia Gay Hospital Foundation, Vinton Unlimited, Benton Development Group, Vinton Parks and Recreation Board, the Old Creamery Nature Trail board, and the Cedar Valley Ranch board, just to name a few.

Roger Albert is famous for his volunteer spirit and his incredible woodworking skills. For many years, he made wooden angels and decorations for Virginia Gay Hospital. He has made cabinetry for the Vinton Fire department, Virginia Gay Hospital, Vinton Legion Hall, and the Palace Theatre, without ever charging a fee. Roger’s also helped out the Vinton Parks and Rec department. “If I need something built, I just sketch out what I need and Roger builds it for me. It’s done.” Duane Randall added, “He’s an amazing woodworker, because I sure don’t draw very well.” One of Roger’s most visible creations is the cabinetry that houses the antique medical tools in the Vinton Family Medical Clinic’s waiting room. He also made the clock that adorns the wall of the Palace Theatre.

Dorothy and Roger’s thirst for community service can’t be contained to just local projects in Vinton. They are members of “Elder Hostel”, a volunteer group that spans the world. “When we retired,” Dorothy said, “we wanted to do something useful instead of just going south for the winter.” “We helped build a church out of Adobe bricks in New Mexico once,” Roger added. “We were like an older version of AmeriCorps,” Dorothy laughed. “We’ve covered a lot of ground in the last 23 years,” Roger said. Dorothy smiled and said, “Yes, we have, and that mileage adds up, you know.”

Here’s one couple that shows no signs of slowing down. Congratulations to Roger and Dorothy Albert, Grand Marshals, Vinton Party in the Park, 2011!