Mr. Coleman was honored at a Gala Dinner Program in Syracuse on May 7 as a "Star of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry", hosted by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, and co-sponsored by American Express Cards and the Hotel & Travel Index.

Mr. Coleman was chosen from among candidates employed by museums, parks and attractions, ski areas, conventions and visitors bureaus, convention centers, historical sites, chambers of commerce, colleges and universities and tourism promotion agencies throughout New York State.

Leroy Coleman is a farm worker. He picks our fruit, and prunes our trees. He plants the gardens and tends the animals. He helps our customers find the best fruit to pick, and cuts the cabbage they want to take home. He is a part of our Guided Tour team, and in that capacity, he shows our tour groups of area school children and motor coach tourists the proper way to pick or plant fruit and vegetables. Always, regardless of the job he is performing, this remarkable man charms everyone who meets him.

The fact that Mr. Coleman can balance three pumpkins on his head while driving a tractor and simultaneously performing the "magic pumpkin dance" is a definite plus. The fact that he brings a smile to every visitors' face is priceless. He gets fan mail from all over the world.

To Mr. Coleman, there is no such thing as "that's not my job". Whatever needs done, he does. Simply by being nice to everyone, by always being helpful and charming, and by always trying to do the best job possible, Leroy Coleman has made himself an invaluable asset to our business, a treasure in our community, and a shining star in the tourism industry of New York State.

If you see Mr. Coleman when visiting Murphy Orchards, please be sure to congratulate him on this outstanding achievement.