KELSEYVILLE — Stars glittered both outdoors and indoors Sunday night at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa during the 11th annual Stars of Lake County awards ceremony. Helium-filled gold stars floated above nominees” heads at tables around the room facing a star-spangled stage.
“We know you don”t do the things you do for the recognition, but the people who depend on you are here to help thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Master of Ceremonies Bill Kearney said in a toast to all 93 nominees at the top of the evening.
Former Lucerne firefighter Dave Fesmire was honored posthumously as Man of the Year. Fesmire died Nov. 20, 2007, after 18 years of service as a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Lucerne station of the Northshore Fire Protection District. Dave Fesmire”s decoration during his U.S. Army service in Vietnam was listed as what he was “most proud of” in remarks read by Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Fulton.
Dave Fesmire”s wife Karen Fesmire, and daughter Mikki Fesmire, received the award in his place.
“We were quite fond of the guy, and we”re glad everyone else felt that way, too,” Karen Fesmire said after the awards ceremony.
Ginny Craven was honored as Woman of the Year, chiefly for creating Operation Tango Mike, which sends care packages for approximately 100 troops in Iraq. The operation started in 2003, when Craven prepared care packages for co-workers overseas.
“Ginny is a perfect example of one person making a difference, and gathering a huge variety of citizens of Lake County from so many different backgrounds, ages and political views towards one goal ? supporting our troops,” presenter Dana Kearney said.
Trophies for Lifetime Achievement went to Robert and Nadine Strauss in the couple category, Joan Holman in the female category and Don Emerson in the male category.
“I don”t believe it,” Emerson said after the awards. “The other two gentlemen nominated were both well-deserving. I thought I had some stiff competition when I read their names.”
The Marla Ruzicka Award, Humanitarian of the Year, went to Susie Wiloth for creating the Wiloth Equine Riding center, a Lower Lake equine therapy center for disabled children.
A total of 24 trophies were handed out, including one for the Spirit of Lake County category. Fulton told the audience of more than 360 supporters and onlookers that the award is not given every year. The “stars” selection committee picks a deserving nominee from all 23 categories. This year, the star trophy for Spirit of Lake County went to Hidden Valley Lake student Kacey Tallman, who was also nominated for female Student of the Year.
Upper Lake student Krista Collins and Lakeport student Erik Jameson won the trophies for female and male Student of the Year.
Entertainment for the evening included piano performances by Miss Lake county Amanda Betat, singers Miss Lake County”s Outstanding Teen Lauren Berlinn and Erika Tibetts accompanied by David Neft on the piano, and Travis Austin and Robert Owens on acoustic guitar.
The Lake County Record-Bee and Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa sponsored the event jointly.
For a complete list of awards and winners, please see pages A1, A7, A16.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com
