By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
ALPINE —- Several standing ovations and an over-the-top fundraising challenge highlighted the 2015 Annual Alpine Mountain Empire Leadership & Public Service Awards!
By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
ALPINE —- Several standing ovations and an over-the-top fundraising challenge highlighted the 2015 Annual Alpine Mountain Empire Leadership & Public Service Awards!
The crowd came to its feet at the Alpine Community Center on March 20 when Dan Foster, who couldn’t be there, was named for the Humanitarian Award for honoring veterans, inspiring the Alpine Wall of Honor and bringing the “Remembering Our Fallen” exhibit to Alpine.
A Special Remembrance for tot Kylie Rowand, who died after struggling with cancer, also prompted an ovation. Kylie’s father, Luke Rowand, accepted the honor.
“We appreciate you guys,” Rowand told the audience, many of whom raised money for Kylie’s medical needs and decorated Alpine with pink bows for her. “God bless all of you.”
Presented by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce to honor dedicated leadership and community service, the ALPS Awards were sponsored this year by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and San Diego Gas & Electric
At one point LeRoy Athey, owner of the Descanso, Alpine & Pacific Narrow Gauge Railway for 25 years, issued a $500 challenge to raise money for Alpine’s new library. Athey told the crowd that if they matched that amount during the evening he’d throw in another $500.
“We raised more than $3,000,” said Athey, a Special Recognition Award honoree. “I was just hoping to raise $500.”
President Christine Connell of the Alpine Library Friends Association received a Proclamation from County Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s office
For Connell’s efforts to get a new library in Alpine, Jacob’s proclamation declared March 20 will “forever be known as Christine Connell Day.”
Connell also received the “Key to the Community” for winning the 2015 Alpine Honorary Mayor’s Race. Outgoing Honorary Mayor and Alpine Fire Chief Bill Paskle was honored with the “Keys to the Town.”
Connell and candidates Dr. Cynthia Jackson of Alpine Orthodontics and Jon Green of the Back Country Land Trust received checks totaling about $4,400 from their campaigns. They raised money for the library, public school projects and interpretive signs for Wrights Field.
With Chamber Ambassador Jeff Campbell of Jeff Campbell & Associates as master of ceremonies, Eric Lund of Events with Pizazz! made sure the music matched the occasion.
Chaplain Theo Bazdorf of Alpine’s VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578 offered the dinner invocation and Jocelyn Tatum, 2014 Junior Teen Miss Mountain Empire, helped present awards.
In addition to Athey, Special Recognition Awards were earned by Gordon Mize, a State Farm Insurance agent for 50 years; Carl Calvert of the Motor Transport Museum, Camp Lockett; Mountain Empire Men’s Club members Tom Barrett and Vern Sonksen, and Alpine Equipment Rentals.
Patricia Cannon, Chamber President and CEO, presented the President’s Award to Viejas Casino and Resort. Viejas Councilmember Raymond “Bear” Cuero accepted the honor.
“Viejas is very proud to be part of this community and to serve you,” Cuero said.
Alpine’s Citizen of the Year was Jessica Manning of the Alpine Elementary School PTA. She raised more than $100,000 for a turf field and a track for the school. Barbara Wesselink’s dedicated community service earned her Mountain Empire Citizen of the Year.
Alpine’s new Barons Market took home two major awards — Alpine Large Business of the Year and The Alpine Sun Newsmaker of the Year.
“Very humble, but very excited for the future,” said Bob Ring, co-manager of Barons and the Chamber’s Vice Chairman and an Ambassador.
Mountain Health & Community Services earned the Mountain Empire Large Business of the Year Award.
Postal Annex of Alpine received the Alpine Small Business of the Year Award. The Mountain Empire Small Business of the Year honor was awarded to the Descanso Junction Restaurant.
Kiwanis Club of Alpine received the Alpine Organization of the Year Award. The Mountain Empire Men’s Club earned the Mountain Empire Organization of the Year.
The Alpine Beautification of the Year Award went to the Alpine Creek Town Center. The Descanso Town Hall earned the Mountain Empire Beautification Award.
Mountain Empire Youth Organization of the Year honors went to the Mountain Empire Kiwanis Key Club. The Viejas Fire Department Explorers took home the Alpine Youth Organization of the Year Award.
Representatives Joe Browning for Congressman Duncan D. Hunter; Angeli Calinog for State Senator Joel Anderson; Gail Ramer for State Assemblyman Brian Jones, and Matthew Park for Supervisor Dianne Jacob, presented Certificates of Recognition to honorees.
When it came to Community Organization Recognition Awards, the Alpine Business Networking Association presented one to Greg Fox.
The Alpine Community Center honored John Krimpp, June Hudson, Pete Milazzo, Joan Cunningham, Al Martinez, Bob Ring, Larry Curtis, Clyde Farias, Doug Benson and Glenda Archer.
Jennifer Doucet and Shannon Loarie received their awards from the Alpine Education Foundation. The Alpine Elementary School PTA presented honors to Paul Dyke of Outback Turf, civil engineer Bill Snipes and Bill Johnston of Johnston Tractor, Inc.
Community Organization awards also went to Chris Loarie of the Alpine High School Citizens Committee; Roy Athey, Alpine Historical Society; Deborah Verfaillie, Alpine Library Friends Association, and Rita David, Alpine Woman’s Club.
Brent Wolf of the Kiwanis Club of Alpine; Al Atallah, Vern Sonksen and Tom Barrett of the Mountain Empire Men’s Club, and Shirley Klein of Mountain Health & Community Services also earned organization awards.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department recognized Lt. Mario Zermeno; Soroptimist International of Alpine, Marcy Hohnemann; Southern Indian Health Council, Jennifer Jenkins, and the Chamber honored the U.S. Border Patrol Explorers.
Discover more about Chamber activities and opportunities by calling (619) 445-2722 or visiting www.alpinechamber.com.
