The Rotary Club of Easton is proud to announce that Al Smith is the recipient of the 2011 J. Howard Anthony Award. Al Smith was born in Englewood, New Jersey, in 1932. He graduated from Trinity College and went on to become a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. In 1957, he left the service and joined the sales department of Continental Can International where he later became head of Sales and Marketing. At the time of his retirement in 1996, he was Managing Director.

He and his family have owned a house in Oxford since 1982. His contributions to this community are staggering. Here are only some of his accomplishments: he was a founding board member of Talbot Mentors, where he served as president for five years and as a mentor for 13. He served on the boards of the Historical Society, the Academy Art Museum, and Character Counts, and is currently the President of Talbot Hospice. He has also served as chairman on capital campaigns for the Oxford Fire House (where over $1,600,000 was raised) and for Camp Wright. He is currently a Senior Warden and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Oxford Episcopal Church. It is little wonder that he was selected as one of “Maryland’s Most Beautiful People” in 2006.

Candidates for the J. Howard Anthony Award are evaluated by the Club’s Service Awards Committee. Recipients of the Award must have resided in Talbot County area for at least 10 years and must have demonstrated a significant positive impact upon the community through exemplary leadership and/or service the community.