LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Chamber of Commerce announced 94 nominations in 21 categories for the 16th annual Stars of Lake County community awards program.
Stars will be held Nov. 16 at the Soper Reese Community Theatre.
Bellissimo! Wine Country Catering will serve appetizers during the reception hour beginning at with a reception at 5 p.m. and chamber directors will staff the no host bar. David Neft will perform during the reception hour.
At 6:15 p.m., Jackie Hansen of Lakeport Grocery Outlet will begin the evening with a song tribute to all the nominees. Congressman Mike Thompson who sponsors the Hero of the Year Award, will present every Star recipient with a special recognition certificate. Greg Bennett, CEO of Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa, supplied the lighted Star that has been on stage each year.
All nominees have been notified.
Tony Barthel, a director of the chamber and owner of the Featherbed Railroad is creating the video to be aired during the reception. He also supplies the music during the awards presentation. Each nominee is given a free ticket.
The Stars selection committee is meets Friday to determine who will be receiving the Star awards.
Tickets are on sale now at $25 per person, reserved seating only. Tickets may be purchased only through the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd. at Vista Point.
The chamber can accept credit card orders over the phone, Visa, Master Card or Discover are accepted. For more information call 263-5092.
Stars of Lake County Nominees
Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year: Sponsored By: Cliff & Nancy Ruzicka: Mary Ferrara, Clearlake Oaks; Michael Smith, Clearlake.
Senior of the Year: Sponsored By: Westamerica Bank: Nelson Strasser, Lakeport; Joe Totorica, (Posthumously); Linda Burton, Clearlake; Ladona Hartman, Kelseyville.
Volunteer of the Year: Sponsored By: Marymount California University-Lakeside Campus: Diana Dahl, Lakeport; Michael Vandiver, Clearlake; Mary Veeninga, Lakeport; Anna Jones, Kelseyville; Esther Stone, Lakeport; Bruno Sabatier, Clearlake; Theresa Cortez, Hidden Valley Lake; Andrea Anderson, Lakeport
Student of the Year-Female: Sponsored By: Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber: Michelle Page, Clearlake; Rebecca Bisaccio, Lakeport; Joy Bennett, Kelseyville; Amelia Fenk, Middletown.
Student of the Year-Male: Sponsored By: Disney”s Trophies & Awards: Noah Lyndall, Kelseyville; Antonio Perez, Lakeport; Erick Pelayo-Moreno, Clearlake; Christian Villalobos, Clearlake; Eduardo Alatorre, Kelseyville.
Youth Advocate of the Year-Volunteer: Sponsored By: Sutter Lakeside Hospital: Lake County A”s, Lake County; Mark Cooper, DDS, Clearlake; Roscoe Thomas, Lucerne.
Youth Advocate of the Year-Professional: Sponsored By: SERVPRO of Lake and Mendocino counties: Franklin D. Gudmundson, Jr., Upper Lake; Tim Biasotti, Clearlake.
Agriculture Award: Sponsored by Twin Pine Casino and Hotel: Patsie Pachie, Middletown; Bella Vista Farming, Kelseyville; Ken Fountain, (Posthumously); Six Sigma Ranch, Lower Lake.
Organization of the Year-Nonprofit (Has paid staff): Sponsored by Savings Bank of Mendocino: Lakeport Senior Center, Lakeport; The Literacy Task Force, Lakeport; Workforce Lake, Lakeport and Clearlake; VA Outpatient Clinic, Clearlake; Freedom Christian University, Kelseyville.
Organization of the Year-Volunteer (All volunteer staff): Sponsored by Mendo Lake Credit Union: Lake County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitative Services, Lakeport; Hammers For Hope, Lake County; Lake List, Lower Lake; Animal Coalition of Lake County, Clearlake; Konocti Lioness Club, Kelseyville; Save Our Seniors, Lakeport; Clear Lake Horsemen”s Association, Lakeport; South Lake Fire Sirens, Middletown; Lakeport Women”s Civic Club, Lakeport; Back Country Horseman”s Association Lake-Mendo Unit.
Environmental Award: Sponsored by Calpine Corporation: WorldMark by Wyndham; Greg Dills, Lakeport.
New Business of the Year: Sponsored by Konocti Vista Casino and Marina: Danny”s Roadside Kitchen, Lower Lake; The Spot Juice Bar, Middletown; Cheese”s Main Street Pizza, Lakeport; The Boathouse Restaurant, Nice; McKinley Photography, Clearlake
Small Business of the Year sponsored by Food”s Etc.: Middletown Florist, Middletown; Mark Holt Pest Control, Cobb; Kelseyville Appliance, Kelseyville; Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant/Tallman Hotel, Upper Lake; Featherbed Railroad Bed & Breakfast, Nice; The Art House Gallery, Clearlake.
Large Business of the Year: Sponsored by Bruno”s Shop Smart: Mendo Mill Home Center and Lumber, Lakeport and Clearlake: Twin Pine Casino and Hotel/Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Middletown.
15. Best Idea of the Year: Sponsored by Kathy Fowler Auto Center: Upper Lake Horticultural Happening-Grow With Us!, Upper Lake; Lake County Hunger Task Force, Bountiful Gift Baskets, Kelseyville; Memory Bear Family Keepsake, Clearlake; The Hub, Lake County; Bloom Maternity Home, Hidden Valley Lake; Flush Away Cancer!, Lakeport.
Local Hero of the Year: Sponsored by Congressman, Mike Thompson: Casse Waldman Forczek, Lakeport; David Estep, Clearlake; Don Anderson, Lakeport; Forrest Seagrave, (Posthumously); Jacob Bogner, Clearlake Oaks; Jon Henry, Middletown.
17. The Arts Award of the Year-Amateur: Joshua Dylan Blair, (Posthumously); Lacey Baumer, Clearlake; April Hansen, Lakeport; Elsa Meyer, Lakeport.
The Arts Award of the Year-Professional: Melinda Young, Clearlake; Bernie Butcher, Upper Lake; Sheila O”Hara, Lower Lake; James Max Butler, Upper Lake; Sherry Harris, Clearlake; Amber Sheridan, Kelseyville.
Woman of the Year: Sponsored by Northlake Medical Pharmacy: Jennifer Strong, Lakeport; Beverly McVey, Lakeport; Pearlina Drummond, Lucerne.
Man of the Year
Sponsored by Lake County Record-Bee: Wally Holbrook, Lakeport; Jonathan Crooks, Nice; Tom Jordan, Lakeport; Jerry Pfann, Lakeport.
Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by Strong Financial Network: Dennis Rollins, Lakeport; Gardiner “Buster” Jones, Lucerne; Griffie Ratterree, Clearlake; Carl Stein, Clearlake.
Spirit of Lake County Award is Sponsored by John Tomkins: It is chosen by the Selection Committee from nominations received in other categories.
