A heavy, wooden plaque, engraved with award recipients dating back decades, made its way around the table. Attendees of the Historic Oglethorpe County Awards Banquet carefully held it in their hands before passing it to the person beside them.
John Fortuna’s name was added to the plaque this year.
About 30 members gathered for a potluck dinner at the Oglethorpe County Library on March 1 to celebrate what the organization has accomplished in the past year.
The delegation of the historic award was the main event.
“The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding contributions to the understanding and appreciation of Oglethorpe County’s rich history,” said Kathleen deMarrais, the organization’s president.
Since its founding in 1977, the Historic Oglethorpe County Annual Award, formerly known as the Alma T. Walker Award, has been presented to a member of Historic Oglethorpe County.
Fortuna, who lives in Lexington, is a board member of the organization who moved to the county after 30 years as art director for Bennett Graphics in Tucker, Georgia.
“He just happened upon us,” deMarrais said.
Fortuna’s work in graphic design has benefitted the organization, specifically through his creation of a website for the old Oglethorpe County Jail, which is now a museum.
His interest in the jail also inspired him to make informational graphics for the jail. He regularly opens it to visitors, both informally and for special events.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard John ask people: ‘Have you been sent to jail?’ Then he grabs the key and takes them down there,” deMarrais said.
At the banquet, Fortuna joked that his willingness to show visitors inside the jail has at times raised concern.
“(DeMarrais) told somebody, ‘Don’t go in the cell. John will close it.’ And the girl would not go in the cell,” Fortuna said.
In addition to restoring and preserving the old jail, Fortuna also designed the newsletter and logo for Historic Oglethorpe County.
“He’s been invaluable in helping both the organization and the county, more generally,” deMarrais said. “Whenever I ask John to do something, no matter what it is, he says, ‘Sure Kathleen, whatever you need.’ He’s our go-to guy.”