Writers, board members and friends were on hand at the State House May 8 as the Hub City Writers Project received the 2002 Governor's Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Award for outstanding contribution to the arts in South Carolina. It was the first time in the state's history that a literary arts organization received the award. 

Hub City and other individual award winners were toasted at a luncheon at Columbia's Adam's Mark hotel, attended by more than 500 people, and later, at a reception on the grounds of the Governor's Mansion.

During the evening ceremony, George Loudon, outreach director of the Arts Partnership, introduced Betsy Teter, who accepted the award on behalf of the writers project. "Hub City's vision, anchored in the written word of local writers exploring their sense of place in community, is a vision of democracy-a vision that shares, builds and embraces," he said. "It's a creative vision that speaks to, and of, the best of South Carolina, its people, and its places."

In her remarks to the packed House Chambers, Betsy Teter said, "One of the most exciting things about an honor like this is that it helps other communities learn about what's going on with creative writing-and reading-in Spartanburg. We think this is a model that can work all over South Carolina, and beyond."

In attendance for Hub City were: Mark Olencki, Patt Rocks, Lisa Isenhower, Rosa Shand, George and Frances Loudon, Mack Amick, Susie Jackson, Bette and Katherine Wakefield, Bea and Dennis Bruce, Gary and Carmela Henderson, Angela Kelly, Betsy Teter and John Lane.

Hub City salutes the many writers and friends who have supported this organization through their talents and funds.