Oregon Public Broadcasting

Over 150 diners gathered at the annual Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards program Sunday evening to recognize just a few of the residents who add to the economy and quality of life of Wallowa County.

"A Round of Applause, Please" was the theme of the 33rd Citizen's Award Banquet, and banquet-goers found plenty to applaud, especially the recipients of the annual Citizen's Awards presented by the chamber.

Serving as joint masters-of-ceremonies at the banquet were Susan Roberts and Craig Nichols, with Nichols joining singer Jessie Borgerding in providing musical entertainment during the dinner, which was catered by the Enterprise Elks.

Award winners recognized were: Linda Eytchison, recipient of the President's Award; Mary Swanson of The Bookloft, Business Award; Cammie Hale of Community Bank, Employee of the Year; Tom Smith, recently retired from Natural Resource Conservation Service, Leader in Agriculture/timber; Betsy Oliver, former Big Read coordinator, Leader in the Arts; Marylou Guentert, Joseph English teacher, Educational Leader; Sondra Lozier, president of Hells Canyon Mule Days, Leader in Events; and Kathy Wadsworth, secretary for Enterprise Christian Church, Unsung Hero.

Also recognized during the evening, outgoing president (for the past two years) Doris Woempner reported a long list of county chamber accomplishments of the past year, ranging from a successful buy local campaign and business workshops to maintaining a web site that received 303,000 visits and making sure the Wallowa Lake fireworks continued on the Fourth of July

New chamber president Adrian Harguess looked to the future, announcing the appointment of committees in four areas: buy local, membership, education and public relations.

Other new Wallowa County Chamber leaders for 2012, many the same as last year, introduced at the banquet are: president, Harguess; vice president, Marc Stauffer; secretary, Susan Gilstrap; Woempner, past president; and directors, Kathy Casper, Ruby Lathrop, Jim Soares, Shannon Novakovich, Jolene Cox, Cynthia Warnock, Kurt and Heather Melville, John Williams, Daveid Harman, Nancy Rudger and Mike Hayward.

Following is a short profile of each of the Citizen Award winners:

Linda Eytchison

Linda Eytchison, one of her photography students many years ago, was the choice of outgoing president Doris Woempner for the President's Award.

A resident of Wallowa County since she was 19, through the years Eytchison worked for several businesses, including Moffit Ford and Wallowa County Chieftain, and along the way developed her skills and founded her own business.

These include a bookkeeping business, a pet boarding/grooming business, and eventually Lin Lee Kennels. She learned photography and computer skills, and started a E & M Proctions, a desktop publishing business with Molly Murrill, which made the county chamber's first brochure.

Now she promotes Wallowa County photographically through her greeting card company, Tules Northwest, and is partners in L & L Backroads Productions, a digital media business.

She is a volunteer with a number of organizations, especially the Wallowa County Humane Society.

Most of all, Woempner said, "Linda holds a deep concern for anyone who is in need and will drop what she is doing to find help or help herself, and then go home and stay up late to finish."

Mary Swanson - Business Award

Mary Swanson was selected as award recipient not only because of her 23 years as owner and caretaker of The Bookloft on Main Street in Enterprise, but her leadership role in GEMS (Greater Enterprise Main Streets) organization .

Presenters were GEMS board member Margie Shaw and Sue Wagner, who talked in glowing terms of both her excellent customer service and her skills as an effective leader.

They said when they were researching and trying to get a group going to benefit Enterprise and its business person, Swanson "stepped up to the plate and said, ‘I can do that but you have to help'."

Swanson was nominated by city administrator Michele Young, and the presenters read from her nomination. Swanson was lauded for creating a business "that provides a place to shop for a great book, art or just a cookie and some coffee. It beats Starbucks and Barns & Noble any day."

Young called Swanson "a true business leader," who knows how to bring people together, follow up in the background and "just inspires everyone to do a good job."

Among other accomplishments, Swanson chaired the Bowlby Bash committee in 2011.

"No one here gets anything done by themself," Swanson said in accepting her award.

Cammie Hale - Employee of the Year

Cammie Hale was described by presenter Sharon Castilleja as a "valued employee of Community Bank" who started her career in June 2002 as a management trainee who advanced in 2007 to her present position, senior vice president and regional operations manager.

"Cammie treats everyone with courtesy and respect and in return has earned the respect of her peers and subordinates in the workplace, as well as many residents of Wallowa County," Castilleja said. " Cammie is a good listener. She is quick with a smile, and has a warm caring manner that puts others at ease."

Hale is a member of the Rotary Club, leader of the Nez Perce Riders 4-H club and treasure of the Chief Joseph Days rodeo committee since 2005. She was praised as a mentor for her 4-H club member and as a volunteer for community activities.

"Cammie is high-energy and tireless; she gives 100 percent to her job and then when most of us would go home and relax, she gives back to the community," Castilleja said.

"It's a privilege to live and work and raise a family in such a caring community," Hale said.

Tom Smith - Leader in Agriculture/Timber

Presenter Cynthia Warnock said that Wallowa County SWCD nominated Tom Smith for the chamber award "for his 23 years of technical help to the agricultural producers of Wallowa County."

He arrived in Wallowa County in 1988 as head of the local Soil Conservation Service office (later National Resources Conservation Service) during the heated Prairie Creek pipeline study controversy. "In spite of all the turmoil over this issue, Tom managed to earn landowner/producers' trust," Warnock said.

Smith was a charter member of the county's Natural Resource Advisory Committee technical committee, and a leader in implementing the widely-praised Wallowa County Nez Perce Tribe Salmon Habitat Recovery Plan.

She detailed many ways in which Smith helped ag producers, especially in such areas as water conservation, irrigation and technology use to improve accuracy and conservation.

"Tom has helped numerous landowners and producers better their operations, while following best management practice to improve the environment, Warnock said.

Smith, who retired from the NRCS in December, was unable to be present to accept his award.

Elizabeth Oliver - Leader in the Arts

Elizabeth Oliver was praised for her leadership in the arts community by presenter Ann Bloom, who singled out Oliver's coordination of the Big Read program for Fishtrap for several years, "gaining national recognition for our county."

"She is an avid and passionate supporter of the arts community in Wallowa County and has devoted untold hours of her time to its promotion and development," Bloom said.

Oliver, a former English teacher in Enterprise schools, is a founding board member of Fishtrap and served "as a vital connection between Fishtrap and the schools. She is also a founding member of Wallowa County's chapter of American Association of University Women and is a supporter of music and arts events in the county.

"As a retired educator, it was a pleasure to use my skills to continue to bring literature to schools and the community," Oliver said in accepting the award.

Marylou Guentert - Educational Leader

Joseph Charter School principal Sherrie Kilgore, presenting Marylou Guentert with her award, said that she was not only a favorite teacher among the students , but "highly respected and valued by peers and administration.

Guentere has taught for the Joseph School District for 18 years and continues to work above and beyond what is required of teachers. ""She walks the walk that great teachers strive to do everyday, and most importantly truly gives of herself," Kilgore said. The principal read a few comments from Guentert's students, including this one: "She makes us want to come to class, even if we hate English."

"Her greatest gift is to touch the hearts of her students," Kilgore said.

"I love teaching and couldn't be a good teacher without my administration," Guentert said. "Most important, I have your kids. If I haven't taught your kids, I wish I did. I wish I could teach every kid in the world."

Sondra Lozier - Leader in Events

Sondra Lozier was credited for resurrecting Hells Canyon Mule Days when she took on a leadership role in 2002, with a vision that included revitalization of the town of Enterprise.

Presenter Brian Adelhardt praised Lozier for her "unswerving efforts" in strategizing and marketing not only Mule Days but Enterprise and Wallowa County, traveling thousands of miles in promoting Enterprise's big September event and turning it into "a world class event." He said she added depth to the mule show by adding a numerous activities, from a quilt show to a nationally-sanctioned Dutch oven cook-off.

In the past, Lozier has been the driving force behind several events, ranging from the Lostine Flea Market to the Wallowa Mountain High hot air balloon rally.

Presenter a??? praised Lozier for her "vision, leadership and energy" in guiding Mule Days "to benefit Enterprise and all of Wallowa County."

Lozier said that the success of Mule Days is shared with the large group of volunteers that make it possible. "We are very proud of the benefit Mule Days has provided," she said.

Kathy Wadsworth

Kathy Wadsworth was nominated and presented as Unsung Hero by David Bruce, who noted that her reluctance to be in the limelight or acknowledged for her efforts makes her a perfect recipient for the award.

Wadsworth has lived in Wallowa County for nearly 20 years and "has found many avenues to give back to our communities," according to Bruce.

She is secretary of the Enterprise Christian Church, and has also workeds in the employment office and for the county library.

In her church life, Bruce said she is the "consummate volunteer," leading Sunday school, helping coordinate food and ladies' ministries and volunteering to help at various events.

She also has a knowledge of local social agiencies, and is a "true helper for those who are not aware of help available," Bruce said. She was a member of the Wallowa County Commission on Children and Families, and has often volunteered to fill in when community needs are known.

"Her heart for families is evident in all she does," Bruce said. "Whether she is helping individuals with the setting up of a day care or .... personally stopping by to pick up kids and bring them to Sunday school, she is passionate about supporting kids with love and justice."

He added that not only does she not seek "notoriety for her deeds," but she'd probably be mad he nominated her.

"Our county has so many unsung heroes. ... I hope Kathy will accept this on behalf of all those who are truly Unsung Heroes," Bruce said.

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