LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Stars of Lake County Community Awards this weekend added 21 new names to its distinguished list of honorees.
The event took place on Saturday evening at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.
As of Saturday night, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce has awarded 380 Stars since February 1998.
Originally there were 12 categories for nominations and this year that number grew to 21.
Honorees are nominated by residents of Lake County for their acts of kindness, humanity, caring and love of community.
Entertainment for the Stars reception hour was provided by David Neft. Shelly Mascari of the Funky Dozen, accompanied by Patrick Fitzgerald, performed three songs as tributes to the nominees.
A special rendition of the French national anthem was played by Fitzgerald as a tribute to those in France who lost their lives in the attacks on Nov. 13.
After Mascari’s final song of the evening she was presented with a replacement Star for her 2014 Award for Best Idea for The Hero Project. Mascari’s Star was lost when her home was destroyed in the Valley fire.
Chamber President Ted Mandrones thanked the event's many business sponsors. “Stars continues each year as without the sponsors we would not be able to produce the program.”
Major sponsors are The Lodge at Blue Lakes, Calpine Corp., St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake and the Lake County Record-Bee. The video presentation was sponsored by Tony Barthel, Nerds for Normals and decorations by Lake Event Design.
Award category sponsors for 2015 are Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka, Westamerica Bank, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lake County Office of Education, Disney Trophies & Awards, SERVPRO of Lake & Mendocino, Savings Bank of Mendocino, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Konocti Vista Casino & Marina, Foods Etc., Bruno’s Shop Smart, Meadowood Nursing Center, Congressman Mike Thompson, Calpine Corp., Twin Pine Casino/Middletown Rancheria, John Tomkins Tax Consultant, North Lake Medical Pharmacy, Lake County Record-Bee and Strong Financial Network.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce extended its gratitude to all the volunteers who put the event on at Soper Reese on Nov. 14, and to the Soper Reese Theater staff for their efforts to make this a very successful event.
The board of directors also reminded everyone to send nominations for 2016 to the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453.
“Every year following the Stars program we hear people say, ‘I know someone I was going to nominate, but I let time get away or I forgot,'” said Mandrones. “What people don’t realize is they can nominate all throughout the year. ”
The full list of this year's winners is featured below.
2015 STARS OF LAKE COUNTY RECIPIENTS
Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year: Barbara Flynn
Senior of the Year: Bob Specht
Volunteer of the Year: Mary Beth Woodward
Student of the Year – Female: Gracie Pachie
Student of the Year – Male: Christopher Vincent
Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer: Rick Walker
Youth Advocate of the Year – Professional: Marisol Becerra-Valdez
Agriculture: Sky Hoyt
Organization – Nonprofit: Highlands Senior Center
Organization – Volunteer: Moose Lodge No. 2284
Environmental: Lake County Land Trust
New Business: O’Meara Bros. Brewing Co.
Small Business: The Village Pub
Large Business: Twin Pine Casino/Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians
Best Idea: Certified Tourism Ambassador Program
Local Hero: James Wright
Arts – Professional: Lisa Kaplan
Spirit of Lake County: Robert Stark
Woman of the Year: Jeanine Burnett
Man of the Year: Jose “Moke” Simon
Lifetime Achievement: Mike Salter