LAKEPORT >> The 17th Annual Stars of Lake County Community Awards program takes place on Saturday beginning with a reception at 5 p.m. at the Soper Reese Community Theatre.
Tickets for the event are available through the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. All tickets are $25 and all seats are reserved.
The chamber does not anticipate having seats for sale on the day of the event. To make your seat selection, visit the chamber office at 875 Lakeport Blvd. at Vista Point in Lakeport. Contact the chamber at 263-5092 or ceo@lakecochamber.com for more information.
During the past 17 years, almost 1,800 entities in Lake County have been acknowledged for contributions to communities and fellow residents through Stars of Lake County. A program that was brought to the community by Judi Pollace, former publisher of the Lake County Record-Bee was embraced by the chamber directors in 1997, with the first stars awards program occurring in February of 1998.
From 1998 through 2009, the event was held at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa. General Manager Greg Bennett has been a huge supporter of stars from its inception and continues that support today. Each year since the closure of the resort, Bennett has made the signature ”star” available for the event. Every year that the event was held at the resort, it was a sell-out at more than 450 people for a five-course dinner and awards program.
Stars nominees are all seated front and center in the theater and the many business sponsors have a special section as well.
Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year
• Sam Polo, Clearlake
• Denny Salisbury, Kelseyville
• Sharon Dawson, Middletown
Senior of the Year
• Konocti Senior Support, Clearlake
• Shirley Crawford, Kelseyville
Volunteer of the Year
• Greg Scott, Lakeport
• Ami Landrum, Clearlake
• Angie DeMaria, Lakeport
• Daniel Sun McLean, Cobb
• Doug Rhoades, Lakeport/Ukiah
• Barbara Clark, Kelseyville
Student of the Year — Female
• Kyra McKinley, Clearlake
• Logan Robinson, Lakeport
• Aliza Atkins, Lakeport
• Linda Tuell, Clearlake Oaks
Student of the Year — Male
• Christopher Vincent, Lakeport
• Everado Chavez, Lower Lake
Youth Advocate of the Year
• CMAS (Children”s Museum of Art & Science, Lake County
Youth Advocate of the Year — Professional
• Jolene Chappel, Lower Lake
• Wendy Gattoni, Middletown
Agriculture Award
• Diane Henderson, Kelseyville
• Emilio de la Cruz, Kelseyville
• Yerba Santa Goat Dairy, Lakeport
Organization of the Year — Nonprofit (has paid staff)
• Redwood Children”s Services, Lake County
• CASA of Lake & Mendocino Counties, Lake County
Organization of the Year-Volunteer (all-volunteer staff)
• Time Bank of Lake County, Lakeport
• Ely Stage Stop and County Museum, Kelseyville
New Business of the Year
• Fantasy Faces & Body Art by Chayo, Lakeport
• Cheese”s Game Stop, Lakeport
• Smoker”s Hardware, Lakeport
Small Business of the Year
• Solutions for Independence, Middletown
• McKinley Photography, Clearlake
• The Beat Fitness Studio, Lakeport
• The Lodge at Blue Lakes, Upper Lake
• Griffin”s Furniture, Clearlake
• Clearlake Veterninary Clinic, Clearlake
Large Business of the Year
• SERVPRO of Lake County, Lakeport
• Mendo Lake Credit Union, Lakeport & Clearlake
Best Idea of the Year
• Mendo-Lake Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP), Lakeport
• Mr. Lake County, Lakeport
• Heroes of Health & Safety Fair, Lakeport
• The Hero Project, Lake County
Local Hero of the Year
• Forrest Seagrave (posthumously)
Joshua Blair Memorial Arts Award-Amateur
• Rosemary “Toni” Hyden, Lakeport
• Richard Schmidt, Upper Lake
• Sarah Dutra, Lakeport
• Suna Flores, Kelseyville
The Arts Award of the Year-Professional
• Nick Biondo, Lakeport
• Sherry Harris, Clearlake
Woman of the Year
• Jeri Spittler, Clearlake
• Cynthia Forbes, Lakeport
• Barbara McIntyre, Lakeport
Man of the Year
• None
Lifetime Achievement
• Charlie Jolin, Lakeport
• Liz Callahan, Lakeport
Spirit of Lake County Award
• Chosen by the Selection Committee from nominations received in other categories
