Waynesboro, Va., Mayor Timothy Williams, wearing necktie, presents a special proclamation to Nothin' Fancy band members, from left, Tony Shorter, Gary Ferris and Mitchell Davis. City council members are in the background.

Nothin’ Fancy, the Virginia-based bluegrass band, is used to being in the spotlight on stage, but the group recently moved into the civic arena.

City officials from Waynesboro, Va., recently presented a special proclamation to Nothin’ Fancy for being local humanitarians.

Waynesboro Mayor Timothy Williams and city council members took notice of Nothin’ Fancy’s recent donation of time and talent to benefit a local bluegrass fan who was diagnosed with cancer, as well as a benefit in November for local children in need.

“We are honored and humbled that the City of Waynesboro recognized us with this proclamation,” said Nothin’ Fancy band member Gary Farris. “We try to help our neighbors whenever we can and never dreamed we would ever be recognized for doing it. We are just happy we are in a position to help whenever possible.”

In another Nothin’ Fancy news note, bass player Tony Shorter and significant other Natalie Haney welcomed their baby girl into the world on Nov. 22. Natasha Greenwood Haney Shorter weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long.

“Baby Natasha and her mother are doing just fine and in spite of all the diapers that need changing, Tony is doing pretty well, too,” according to a snippet on the band’s Web site, NothinFancyBluegrass.com.