Contributed photo These Dobbins Heights residents won the Concerned Citizens’ beautification contest with their front yards. First place was won by Lottie Hailey (left) who received $50, and second place was won by Anitta Rivers, who received $25.

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The Dobbins Heights Concerned Citizens Organization held a beautification contest from Oct. 8 until Nov. 4 in the Dobbins Heights community.

The judge was from a neighborhood in another part of the county, according to Dobbins Heights Concerned Citizen Barbara Young.

First place winner was Lottie Hailey on Gordon Avenue.

“It was very neatly (arranged) with fall decorations,” said Young about Hailey’s front yard. “She had fall banisters and fall leaves and some flowers.”

Second place went to Anitta Rivers on Daniels Street.

The prizes were $50 for first place and $25 for second place.

“We were hoping the contest would inspire our citizens to become more involved in the beautification of the community,” said Young.

“I was so thankful we had people participate,” said Ozie Felder, president of the Dobbins Heights Concerned Citizens. “We will work diligently to continue to do good things in the neighborhood for people. If we come together in unity we can do great things. I appreciate the support we have received.”

Felder said he would like to see people come together to make Dobbins Heights safer and more attractive.

“We have quite a few dilapidated houses in Dobbins Heights, “said Felder. “We would like to see the owners of these properties take better care of them.”

Felder said he includes the cemetery among the privately-owned properties that need attention.

“We are working with citizens to reach the property owners, and ask them to make an effort to clean up their family members’ plots,” said Felder, who said many people who have buried family members in Dobbins Heights have since moved away. “We want people to come visit the cemetery and leave with a good feeling about the loved one they’ve left behind.”

Apart from helping the environment, Felder wants the people of Dobbins Heights to take pride in their community.

“Some people dump their trash there in the neighborhoods, and we want to encourage them to stop because we are working hard to make Dobbins Heights better,” said Felder.

“I want to give thanks to all the participants of the beautification contest,” said Felder. There will be other programs and I hope for a 100 percent participation of the people of Dobbins Heights.”

For questions about the Concerned Citizens Organization, call Felder at 910-331-4507.

— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.