The Dr. John B. Sweetland Award is presented annually to an Edwardsburg resident who has had a significant influence on the Edwardsburg community.

Sweetland was one of the founders of Edwardsburg, considered a man of impeccable integrity, principles, kindness, generosity, a respect for individual views and a desire to serve.

This year the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum has selected Paul Mayhew as the 2011 recipient.

Mayhew has been a member of the community since 1958. In the 43 years since he opened the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, he has served as the president of the Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce as well as on the village council, Cass County Deptartment of  Public Works, Cass County Draft Board, the Cass County and Berrien County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board, Miss Edwardsburg Committee and Blossomtime Board of Directors.

He and his wife Betty were the first administrators of the Edwardsburg Ambulance Service.

The award will be presented to Mayhew in front of the Edwardsburg Museum on Monday at 10 a.m. prior to the Memorial Day Parade. The public is invited to the ceremony as the community honors Mayhew for his contributions to the Edwardsburg area.