Brownell, Averna and Morgan Receive Top Chamber Awards

Janet Brownell and Cyndi Morgan with their awards for Community Service and Customer Service. Tom Averna of Deer Harbor Charters won the Chamber's annual Environmental Excellence award, but was not present.

With the motto “Progress through Partnership,” the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce announced priorities, plans and member awards at their annual meeting last night at Rosario Resort’s re-named “Beach House” (formerly the Discovery House).

The Chamber’s Executive Director Lance Evans and Chairman of the Board Michell Marshall orchestrated the evening with an overflow crowd of more than 100 who dined on baron of beef and assorted cheese and fruits as the Chamber’s priorities — business essentials; tourism; Business Week participation and Fourth of July observances — were announced.

The local band, the Whiskey Snickers, dramatized the introduction of each speaker with a sax-and-drum flourish. Nominations from Chamber membership for awards in three categories resulted in the winners:

1. Community Service — Janet Brownell, School Board, Education Foundation, OPAL, and more. She spoke humorously of her shock at winning the award — “for once, I am speechless,” as she thanked the crowd.
2. Environmental Excellence — Tom Averna of Deer Harbor Charters. Averna was not present, but his stepson received the award on his behalf, and said Deer Harbor Charters had had their best season yet.
3. Customer Service — Cyndi Morgan of The Nest thanked the Chamber, saying that she intends to keep on providing the services to her customers.

New members to the Chamber were introduced from the floor, among them Bathan Shaner, Don Pencil, Eric Whitehead, Benjamin Ross, David and Barbara Evan(for the Orcas Choral Society), Chris Sutton, Harvey Aldort, and Carol Whitbeck.

Evans and Jane Alden have been elected to serve on the county-wide San Juan Arts Council. Evans announced that the Orcas Chamber will bring a two-day Shakespeare Festival to the Village Green and community schools next May.  He thanked the committee who arranged for this “shoulder season” tourist event: Bill Patterson, Susan Gudgell and Jane Alden.

Orcas High School student Garrett Pietsch spoke of his participation in Business Week, a summer camp-styled workshop to introduce students to the concepts and culture of business success. He said he learned “to keep an open mind. It’s fun to meet new people and learn new things.” Orcas School District Superintendent Barbara Kline (who holds a Masters in Business Administration) told the audience that the value of Business Week is not only in teaching business concepts to students, but also in preparing them to go out in the world and apply those concepts in real-life situations.

Deborah Hopkins and Robin Jacobson from the San Juan Visitors Bureau reported that the Lodging tax collection was up four to six percent county-wide through July, and that figures year-to-date from San Juan Island alone were up nine percent.

Jim Hooper, of the county Economic Development Council, emphasized the county’s economic strength through diversity, and reported on its campaign to bring broadband to the islands.

Pete Moe, Executive Director of Orcas Funhouse/Commons, announced that “Adventure Sports” were a new way of increasing tourist business to the island. He asked how many people realized that over 800 runners were coming to Orcas at the end of January next year, and it seemed to take the audience by surprise.

He explained that, with the longtime participation of the Olympia Fat Ass Running Team, and Randy Gaylord, a25-50K run will take place that involves two round trips from Cascade Lake to the Summit of Mt. Constitution. “Trail running is [an activity] that’s growing fast, and we have lots of prime single track trails here,” said Moe.

A wealth of door prizes donated by Chamber members were handed out throughout the evening. In thanking all who contributed to the evening’s success, Evans singled out Christopher Peacock, General Manager of Rosario Resort, for his generous support to the Chamber’s annual meeting.