On March 11, the Doves will receive an award named for Snider, a lifelong Linwood resident who believed in serving his community.

Snider, who died in July 1994, was city clerk back in 1971 when the Doves and their three children left the hubbub of life in suburban Chicago for the quiet of Linwood.

“He was the first person I met, when I paid the water deposit,” Alma Dove remembers.

Marvin Dove was on furlough from Trans World Airlines, and the family was seeking a change from the Chicago area. They also wanted to live closer to their native Colorado.

“We hated the congestion and everything,” Alma Dove said.

So Marvin Dove became a junior high school math and science teacher at Linwood, and his wife took over as city clerk, working out of her home for $25 a month.

“These were the two jobs that really helped make us a part of the community,” Alma Dove said.

Her husband was recalled by TWA, so he quit teaching after a year. Marvin Dove retired in 1998 after 30 years of flying for the airline. Alma Dove spent 29 years working for the city in various capacities. She retired in 1999 as city treasurer.

“It was just a continuous thing. If somebody quit, I filled in. I tell them it was 100 years, and they don’t believe me,” she said, with her easy laugh.

She also was active at her children’s school, held office in the Linwood Recreation Association and was active with the First Baptist Church. She served on the election board many times. And she helps each year with Ovid Snider Day festivities.

She also typed a cookbook that was sold by the senior citizens group in Linwood, and she typed one of the two books that Ovid Snider wrote about the Linwood community.

Her husband worked his organizational magic and established the Linwood Planning Commis-sion. He was its first chairman.

“Linwood was a small town, but the idea was to get building codes and electrical codes,” Alma Dove said. “Anyone would put anything up in town.”

He also has served as a fire department volunteer, held offices at the church, coached girls softball during the summer and served on the Linwood City Council.

The Doves, both 60, are the parents of three children, Cheryl Jacobs, Lawrence; Eric Dove, Olathe; and Syndi Dove, St. George, and eight grandchildren.

During a ceremony from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 11 at the Linwood Community Building, the Doves will be honored for their work in their community.

“It’s a great honor. Really,” Alma Dove said. “Ovid was a great person.”