2011-News

Montesano Chamber Awards Banquet

On Wednesday, April 20, 2011, the Montesano Chamber honored and presented awards to individuals and businesses that had made outstanding Montesano community contributions during calendar year 2010. In addition to Chamber awards, the Montesano School District and the Montesano Senior Center also made their awards.

The quarterly businesses for 2010 were:

Street Lundgren & Foster Architects
K D & S Environmental
Subway
Montesano Moose Lodge #1210

Chamber Secretary Stephanie Conway awarded the 2010 Business of the Year Award to the Montesano Moose Lodge #1210 for both their Chamber commitment and involvement, as well as their many community activities that the local lodge does for Montesano. As the host, meal provider and server for the event, the Moose Lodge was a fitting and popular choice, applauded with a standing ovation from the large crowd present. Moose Governor Darrin Hill and local Moose Leader Jon Warne were proud, thrilled and excited to receive the award, which they believed was a first for any Moose Lodge in the country.

Montesano School Superintendent Marti Haruff delivered the Educational Leadership Award to District Business Manager Sheila Baker, a 1986 Monte graduate who has helped to put the district finances back in shape with positive ending balances. Sheila (Tagman) Baker and her husband Ted, were both very athletic in their high school days, and have had a busy time keeping up with their own athletic children. The youngest, Austin is a junior this year and is active in football, basketball and baseball for the Bulldogs.

Superintendent Haruff also presented the Montesano School Volunteer of the Year Award to Debbie Hornback, wife of School Board Chair, Brian Hornback. Debbie lead many youth activities in choir, singing and theatre, and has done so for many years now. When she graduated from Montesano some time ago, she was voted and served as, Miss Grays Harbor. Debbie and Brian have twin daughters that are graduating seniors this year.

Senior Center President Doug Iverson presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Larry Vietti for all of his fundraising assistance through the year for the Senior Center. Iverson refered to Vietti as “eye-candy” at the Senior Center. He was joined by Senior Center Manager Alice Hutchinson to present Eunice Whiting with the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of support and activity at the Senior Center.

Chamber President Elect Dennis Brumbaugh sifted through the Citizen of the Year Award nominees:

Becky Scott for her years leading and growing the Montesano Youth soccer program.
Leticia and Randy Moody for their community involvement with Sterling Bank during community celebrations, and the Community Schools leadership.
The Citizen of the Year Award for 2010 was presented to Deane Leetham for his many years of volunteer work with Lions Club, Booster Club, Hall of Fame and work with the After School Program, not to mention his years as a business owner in Montesano as a jeweler and real estate appraiser.

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Les Foss and wife, Ruth (Photo courtesy of Janet Botnen) Montesano Mayor Ron Schillinger had the privilege of presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Les Foss. Les has been a home-grown Montesano Bulldog who began working in 1952 for Whitney’s for 75 cents/hour pumping gas and washing cars until he retired in 1996, the last 10 years as one of the owners of Whitney’s. Les was shown appreciation by a standing ovation from the appreciative banquet crowd that wouldn’t end.