Chamber set to offer Best of our Community Awards April 19
Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 13, 2023
The nominations are in and the Forks Chamber of Commerce will hold its Best of Awards on Wednesday, April 19 at Blakeslee’s Bar and Grill, 1222 S. Forks Avenue, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
The selection committee has received nominations for Volunteer, Citizen, and Business of the Year and they have made their selections, which will be announced at the Awards ceremony. The community is invited to attend. A lunch of lasagna, salad, and bread will be available for purchase.
Here are the nominations the committee received:
Volunteer of the Year
Nedra Reed
Nedra had served on the Quillayute Park and Recreation Board as board chair since she left the mayoral office for the city of Forks. With her knowledge and expertise, she has tirelessly kept the buildings, grounds, and fitness facility, operational for the benefit of West End users of all ages.
She has been the main coordinator on financial, maintenance, contracting, and operational issues ensuring continued service to the public along with being instrumental in reopening the pool and fitness facility many years ago. To this end, she has worked with county and state entities, insurers, legal personnel, political representatives, and contractors to maintain quality recreation and fitness.
Nedra Reed
As the lead commissioner of the Quillayute Valley Park and Recreation District Nedra is a fierce and tireless advocate for keeping the district solvent and well-maintained through grant writing and pleading with our state government representatives. Through Nedra’s diligence, the bond that created the pool was paid off this year which likely would not have happened without her. She is an example of what an effective volunteer can be.
Wesley Romberg
I would like to nominate Wesley Romberg for Volunteer of the Year. He has served on the Beaver Fire Department for almost 20 years, coached little league baseball 10 years and helped lead/coach Babe Ruth for Forks and Beaver for the last four years. This is also his 15th year running Conservation days in Clallam Bay for all 6th graders. For the last three years of Babe Ruth, we have had enough players for two teams. We have a Beaver and Forks team which has not happened for years. l believe Wesley’s leadership and dedication has drawn boys to turn out. He believes in every kid and not always about winning. Winning is definitely a plus but he makes sure every kid is improving and having fun doing it.
Conservation Days is a field trip that 6th graders have done for many years. Wesley has been the leader since 2008 and organizes the speakers and coordinates with teachers in Forks, Clallam Bay and Neah Bay to attend. lt gives students an inside look at the many functions of Forestry and the careers associated with it.
He has also been involved with the Assembly of God and leading the Royal Ranger program. This past year he has also started volunteering with the scholarship auction and being on the board. ln previous years he has been a big supporter of the scholarship auction by donating items/money and bidding so he really enjoys being a part of what makes it all happen. Wesley is definitely a face that the youth recognizes because of his support and involvement. He supports every kid and has their respect because of his leadership.
Deborah Scannell
As a volunteer at the Forks Branch Library, Deborah embodies selflessness, integrity and promotes the good of the community through her volunteer activities. Deborah is kind, observant, and present with children when she assists in bringing storytime to preschool classrooms and Forks Elementary ECEAP, helping to build a love of books, reading, and the library. I appreciate her initiative to highlight the library and share resources with Forks community members, as she wrote an article published in the Forks Forum. Deborah is also integral to the success of programs like Family Movie Matinee in which she prepares crafts that allow children to practice their fine motor skills and creativity and Spring Break STEAM Stations which provide opportunities for children to continue learning with hands-on projects while they are out of school. I so value the time, effort, and energy that Deborah brings to the library and can’t say enough about her positive attitude and her willingness to help
Jessica Sorensen
Continuing President of Forks Elementary PTO Jessica continues to go above and beyond with ideas and execution of activities, celebrate recognition and advance learning activities for FES kids, staff, and families. The terrific fundraising makes it possible to fund teacher extras for the classroom and equipment and structures for the school. Jessica is a strong leader, not just a volunteer, who without her leadership many fewer extras would be available to FES.
Eugene Fraker
Eugene is the most amazing volunteer at The Feeding 5000! He makes 100-150 meals every Tuesday with his all-volunteer team. I have been amazed at the dedication he has to provide not just a meal but a culinary treat, often with beautiful homemade bread. Please consider him for recognition, he is also a veteran.
Eugene Fraker
Eugene is the cook and talented chef for The Feeding 5000 program. He manages everything this program involves – ordering, and planning meals for approximately 100 people every Tuesday, cooking and organizing how the food is put together, making sure everyone is fed. Eugene also writes grants and seeks out funding when donations are not quite enough. The core group of volunteers that work under Eugene’s direction are indeed lucky to have such a committed volunteer dedicated to this program. Our city should recognize this individual as our volunteer of the year.
Jerry Leppell
Jerry consistently gives back through the Scholarship Auction each year. He truly cares about our kids.
Bob Kratzer
Citizen of the Year
Nedra Read
Nedra was also nominated in this category with the first letter provided for Volunteer of the Year.
Joe Wright
Joe wears many hats in our town, and represents many organizations; the American Legion, HAM radio operators, to name a few, yet he uniquely and enthusiastically speaks as Joe and seamlessly not only wears his many hats but can switch between them as few if any others ever have. He participates, he communicates, he problem solves, he is the very role model of what we all should aspire to be in making this community a great place, we love so much.
Tara Huggins
I believe Tara is an exceptional person, who has dedicated her life to helping others. As the counselor here at Forks Middle School, she is impacting our students by mentoring them to make good choices, helping them understand that they can be successful, and navigating the challenging times in Middle School. She also provides support to our families and guardians. It can be very difficult for some of our families to overcome the problems their children are wrestling with and guide them through the learning process. Our students, their families, guardians, and staff have faced trauma and neglect and it is very difficult to stay positive and stay hopeful. Tara offers that HOPE! Tara works tirelessly to support these children and all of us every day. She also helps our staff as we deal with all the problems that come our way day to day. I have personally leaned on her during the year. She is kind, empathetic, and always lifts us all up. We would be lost without her.
Susie Brandelius
Susie is the senior citizen advocate for the State of Washington but she can be seen or heard helping many who need her knowledge about health insurance, social security, grandparents raising grandkids’ needs, and retirement questions. Many are not necessarily her clients but she is always willing to help.
Lissy Andros
Shelly Castellano
Shelley is the culinary teacher at the high school, which has a positive impact on the children and young people of our community. She shares her knowledge and pioneering skills to make sure they continue in our community, which is important to our culture.
She owns Catering with the Castellanos and in addition to her regular clients, she always makes herself available for funerals and community events. She contributes baked items and catering services to the scholarship auction every year, which contributes thousands of dollars to the QVSA.
Business of the Year
Decker City Hardware
Dean is always there to lend a helping hand, is active in the West End Business group and gives back with donations, and coordinated community sales at his location. He stocks his store with community-focused products and has very helpful, caring employees.
Olympic Adventure Camp
A new RV/tent camp, open year-round, serving Forks and tourism. Hires local youth to work at the business.
Sasquatch the Legend
The Sasquatch the Legend store just celebrated its first anniversary. And is planning its second annual Forks Sasquatch Days. Bringing customers into the area and attracting people to stop in Forks and shop. “We love Forks and are here to stay.”
The Beaver Grocery Store
The Beaver Store sat empty for quite a while and now that Carrie and Jonas have reopened it they are really part of the community. They have sponsored holiday events, and have made many great improvements as well as hired locals to work. They offer many items by request and are friendly to all that enter the store, improving both the inside and outside of the store.
West End Taproom Tip and Sip
John and Glenda Aldana had the dream and the conceptualization to open a new business endeavor in Forks serving locals and tourists top quality, small brewery beers and cider in an intimate, cozy setting conducive to conversations and collegiality. They bought the building in January 2020 and officially opened July 1, 2020.
It is risky opening a new business in a remote, small town such as ours, add the pandemic and most new starts would have folded. Not the Tip and Sip. Hats off to John and Glenda for refusing to give in or give up! They found ways to make their new business a major success. Even though it is for sale, so these two business owners might really retire, they are zealous in protecting the vibe they’ve created and nurtured these last three years: a place for solitude and socializing, sharing the good things in life as well as a really good brew. It is with pride and high hopes that I nominate our local West End Tap Room Tip and Sip for Business of the Year 2022.
Forks Outfitters
