NICE – Those who truly care do memorable things to better Lake County and many were honored at the Stars of Lake County 13th annual Community Awards Celebration Saturday evening.
This year, in the wake of last November's closure of Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa – the home to the awards since the program's inception – the awards ceremony was held at Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino in Nice.
The reception began at 5 p.m., with well-known local musician David Neft providing lively keyboard music for the audience, which stood beneath an ocean of golden star balloons attached to the assigned chair of each nominee.
The casino’s bingo room was transformed into a ceremonial space, including a dance floor in the front center next to the stage. New at this year’s celebration was a dance after the awards were presented.
Master of Ceremonies Tom Lincoln opened the evening, asking those who have served the country in the military to stand and be honored with a round of applause.
Lincoln then gave the audience a bit of background about himself – that he, too, served in the Army and he moved to Lake County in 1975 from San Francisco.
“I never had a second thought of moving elsewhere. We, the people of Lake County, are the luckiest in the world in that we get to enjoy this god-given beauty,” he said.
Lincoln read a quote by former Connecticut State Legislator Pauline R. Kezer: “When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless, But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.”
Following dinner, the awards presentation began. Congressman Mike Thompson was on stage to hand-deliver the sparkling trophies, which Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton said were made by the same company that makes the Oscar awards.
Each Star was played a song as they walked off stage with their award. DJ Tony Barthel, who donated his time to the event, arranged the music to match each person and their accomplishments.
The 2010 Stars of Lake County Awards winners are as follows.
MAN OF THE YEAR: Thomas Hewlett, DDS, Clearlake
WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Cheri Johnson, Hidden Valley Lake
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Lakeport Grocery Outlet
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: A&B Collision, Clearlake
YOUTH ADVOCATE/VOLUNTEER: Darren Brookshire, Hidden Valley Lake
YOUTH ADVOCATE/PROFESSIONAL: Jill Hoeffer, Lakeport
STUDENT OF THE YEAR, MALE: Benjamin Mullin, Lucerne
STUDENT OF THE YEAR, FEMALE: Cylinda Neidenbach, Kelseyville
AGRICULTURE AWARD: Renker Farms, Lakeport
ARTS AWARD/AMATEUR: Bert Hutt, Lakeport
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Denise Johnson, Kelseyville
MARLA RUZICKA HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR: Debra Rodrique, Middletown
SENIOR OF THE YEAR: Jean Welch, Lakeport
BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR: Woody’s Café (at Kelseyville Lumber), Kelseyville
ORGANIZATION, VOLUNTEER: AARP volunteer tax preparers
ORGANIZATION, NONPROFIT: Mt. Konocti Facilitation, Lakeport
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Mildred Pickersgill, Lakeport
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: LuLu’s Ice Cream & Desserts, Kelseyville
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD: Roberta Lyons, Lower Lake
SPIRIT OF LAKE COUNTY: Harry Graves, Clearlake
The event was sponsored by Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and the Lake County Record-Bee.
Awards sponsors included Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka, Westamerica Bank, Barry Parkinson, McDonald’s Lakeport, Polestar Computers, Umpqua Bank, Gossett Alarm Corp., Strong Financial Network, Lake County Land Trust, Kelseyville Lumber, Foods Etc., Bruno’s Shop Smart, Kathy Fowler Dealerships, Congressman Mike Thompson, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, John Tomkins, North Lake Medical Pharmacy, Lakeview Supermarket and Deli, Lake County Record-Bee and St. Helena Hospital Clearlake.
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