When Paul Zimmerman, Senior Warden at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, called him to come forward during a regular Sunday service, Ambrose Mills had no idea why.
Ambrose had been a member of Holy Cross as a child and served as an acolyte. In his retirement, he has been Senior Warden and led a campaign to replace the roof and HVAC system.
In community service, he has been on the boards of the Polk County Historical Association, Polk County Community Foundation and Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. He is chair of the Polk County Economic and Tourism Commission.

Mills was Project Manager for the Bradley Nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford and was instrumental in obtaining grants to purchase the property for Polk County. He is on the Board of Thermal Belt Outreach and serves as secretary.
He retired from U.S. Army Reserves as a Lt. Colonel and is a member of Post 250 of the American Legion. He also founded an international trading company, INTERTECH, which led him to travel frequently to China and many other countries.
After detailing some of Mills’ contributions, Paul Zimmerman presented a certificate awarding him membership in the Second Wind Hall of Fame.
The Second Wind Hall of Fame honors retirees for outstanding service in their community. To be nominated for membership, a person must be retired, 60+ years old and have volunteered in three different Thermal Belt organizations for at least three years.
Upon receiving the award, Ambrose was uncharacteristically at a loss for words, but managed to express his thanks and said, “I’m not done yet!”

– article submitted
by Frances McCain