Havre de Grace city leaders recently honored Mary Boehly, a long-serving member of the city's Arts Commission, who has stepped down after 10 years on the commission.
Boehly, who joined the Arts Commission in 2005 and resigned March 1, received a recognition from Mayor Wayne Dougherty during Monday's City Council meeting.
She stood in front of the council dais with her husband, Al, who is also an active volunteer in Havre de Grace, Arts Commission Chair Patricia Fair and Councilman Randy Craig, who is the council's liaison to the commission.
The arts commission is made up of 18 volunteer members responsible for putting together and promoting "performing and fine arts events" in Havre de Grace, according to the city's website.
Fair said Boehly has spearheaded advertising efforts for the commission, including delivering posters and organizing her fellow commission members.
"She keeps us on task and what we have to do and where we have to go," Fair said.
Fair said Boehly's departure leaves "a big hole" in the commission.
"She's just a very important part of the arts commission, and now there's a big hole in the arts commission," Fair said.
Dougherty, who recently announced he will not run for re-election after eight years as mayor, told Boehly that he understands her situation.
"I also understand leaving something that you love and leaving something that is truly a big part of your life is very difficult, and I assure you, as I stand here tonight in front of you, I know what those feelings are," he said.
Dougherty also noted that "family is very important, and there comes a time when we have to rededicate ourselves, and for that, God bless you."
Craig extended his thanks on behalf of city residents.
"The city is better off for the work that you've done with the arts commission in many, many ways, countless ways that people don't see," he told Boehly.
The Boehlys are also longtime volunteers at the Havre de Grace Visitors Center on Pennington Avenue. They have been volunteering there since the center opened in 2002, according to city officials.
"She really does care, and appreciates you guys," Al Boehly told the mayor and council members.
Mary Boehly is also a member of the city's Street and Traffic Safety Advisory Board.
She called the arts commission "the most precious group that works in town."
"Everybody who is on that commission steps out to make Havre de Grace a better place," she said.
Boehly called the commission a "worthwhile" and "fun" group, "but it's time for me to do something else."
Members of the council praised the Boehlys, as well as the many other residents who volunteer for various boards, commissions and community events, for their volunteer efforts.
"I continuously say that Havre de Grace is the city that volunteers," Councilman Fred Cullum said.