Annual Awards Dinner – Honoring a Few of Seldovia’s Finest

by Darlene Crawford

Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 24^th at the Multi-Purpose Room.  There will be a Community Potluck Dinner to honor the recipients of the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards, starting at 6:00 p.m..

Congratulations to Rosanna McInnes, this year’s Citizen of the Year.  Rosanna received nominations from the public noting her work at the Post Office, Library, Music Festival and Ukulele Club. Comments on the nomination forms included the following:  Rose has caused the Post Office to be run efficiently and she is always pleasant and helpful to everyone who needs assistance.  Friendly always, Reliable, Trustworthy.  Empathy and Assistance at Post Office, help, above and beyond.  Rose has contributed much time (volunteerism) at the Library, including [extensive work developing video conferencing and promoting children’s enrichment].   She’s a volunteer stage assistant at Christmas and the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival, plus her work at Dance Club,  Ukulele Club, Library Volunteer, Library video leader, and her amazing contribution to the OWL program at the library,  which fits every age group. She brings a wonderful example of positive energy to every endeavor.

The McInnes family is no stranger to being honored by the Chamber. Rose’s father, Walter McInnes, was one of the first Old Crabs, back in 1998. Other nominees for the Citizen of the Year honor were Damara Burnett, Tim P. Dillon, Mark Janes, Ian McGaughey and Chaz Nichols.

The winner of Business or Non-Profit of the Year is Dillon & Dillon Timber & Log Wrights. Owners Tim and Ila Dillon were noted for their volunteer work and for providing long-term employment for local residents. This is the second time their business has been recognized with this honor.  Tim and Ila are currently working to create a new pavilion for the waterfront and stay active with their construction business throughout the winter, employing many local workers year-round.

Other local organizations nominated for Business or Non-Profit of the Year were Auntie’s Whole Foods Store, Crabpot Grocery, Creationz and the Sea Otter Community Center.

The outstanding  Youth of the Year for 2013 is Benjamin Botero. This fifth grade student at Susan B English school received comments on his nominations noting his academic achievements in school, sports and as a tutor helping teach younger kids to read.

Other young people nominated were Travis Barratt, Chance Haller, Taylor Haller, Sage Stanish and all of the kids who make up the Sea Otters at Susan B. English School.

The election for these honors was held at a recent Seldovia Chamber of Commerce meeting where the public was invited to vote. Thank you to everyone who made nominations and joined in the voting.

Please be sure to come and bring a dish to the potluck dinner in celebration of our winners and nominees. Let’s recognize how fortunate we are to have so many talented, giving and special people in our community.