Miller named year's top citizen

SANDPOINT - More than 200 people turned out Friday night at the Panida for the first-ever Chamber Choice awards.

Chamber members voted online last year for numerous categories ranging from Employee of the Year to Green Award to Citizen of the Year.

Volunteer extraordinaire, Lois Miller was named Citizen of the Year, wrestling the title away from Jim Parsons, Jr., who held the title for more than two years.

"We are extremely pleased with how the event turned out and we will make it bigger and better next year," said Amy Little, chamber executive director.

The category and winners were:

Business of the Year: Festival at Sandpoint.

Known for its summer concert series and now in its 27th year, the Festival at Sandpoint launched its 5th Grade Music Outreach Program in 1999, giving the organization's educational mission a local focus. This successful program serves all 5th grade students in Bonner and Boundary County schools, both public, private and home school students. The Festival also assists elementary students with rental instruments so they can participate in 6th grade band at their schools. They have also repaired and provided new instruments throughout the school district. The Festival is a champion for music performance of all genres and brings people throughout the region to our community every August.

Employer of the Year: Panhandle State Bank

As a testament to their strength as an employer, one of their nominations came from an 11-plus year employee of the bank. Among the attributes listed on their nomination form, Panhandle State Bank is a community and customer-friendly bank, full of wonderful people to work with, where management knows the community, strives to keep resources local and promotes community involvement making Sandpoint a desirable place to live & work.

Employee of the Year: Jody Shapiro, Sandpoint Furniture/Carpet One

A 15-year employee of Sandpoint Furniture/Carpet One, Jody has been a model employee in terms of longevity, loyalty, always on time, early to arrive, late to leave, and putting the company ahead of herself many, many times. She has worked tirelessly for her customers, always going the extra mile making sure Sandpoint Furniture did what they promised to do.

Innovation in Education Award: Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center

As a family, the Birds are passionate about teaching and inspiring our youth, especially in the areas of math & science. Through Camp Invention, the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center, and their support of youth throughout our community are just a few examples of how they innovatively contribute to education.

Green Award: W Cleaners

W Cleaners strives to reduce air emissions and hazardous wastes in its cleaning processes and to conserve energy and water. They use less-toxic petroleum solvents and a wet cleaning process that does not generate hazardous waste, air emissions, greenhouse gases, or ozone-depleting substances. Also they have developed a hot water retrieval system to collect and reuse leftover condensate stream from the boiler to heat water for the washing machines.

Nonprofit of the Year: Bonner Community Food Center

Known as "The Little Engine that Could", the Bonner Community Food Center consistently balances need, giving and receiving with dignity. It is a place of unsung heroes, very generous hearts, grateful beneficiaries and quiet solace. Last year alone as of October they had served over 9,700 people. The need has only grown.

Rookie of the Year: Ponderay Garden Center

Since joining the Chamber last spring, Ponderay Garden Center has not only demonstrated their commitment to the community but has found many ways to support the Chamber. They sponsored luncheons, donated prizes, sponsored and hosted our first ever after hours trade show, just to name a few. They have held countless community events at the Center as well, providing a place for children and families to learn about gardening and have fun doing it.

Volunteer of the Year: Colleen Spickelmire

Colleen Spickelmire has been instrumental to the Chamber over the past several years, in addition to being a constant at events throughout the community. For the Chamber Colleen is a member of the Ambassadors committee, currently serves as an ex-officio member to the Board of Directors, annually

she diligently obtains volunteers for the Idaho Draft Horse & Mule Show and finds time to attend nearly every Chamber event. Within the community Colleen is everywhere all the time, lending a helping hand wherever the need may be.

Tourism Partner of the Year: Tawnie Sleep, Sleep's Cabins

Tawnie Sleep has demonstrated her desire to partner with the Chamber in order to build her own business, but also to encourage her guests/tourists to visit the many outstanding restaurants, retail stores and outdoors activities this area has to offer. She consistently provides complimentary lodging to support fundraising activities and makes her facilities available for business meetings and other gatherings that help local organizations.

Young Professional of the Year: Trevor Greenfield, Lakedance International

Film Festival

Trevor's passion, drive & determination have had a positive impact on our local economy. Three successful years of a film festival that continues to grow and bring in tourism dollars to our community is worthy of this nomination. His tireless efforts in increasing the awareness of independent film-making and championing Sandpoint and the Lakedance International Film Festive have given an immeasurable and positive contribution to our local economy.

Citizen of the Year: Lois Miller, Panhandle Special Needs volunteer

Over the past two years Lois has coordinated an ongoing fundraising event to improve/upgrade the Panhandle Special Needs, Inc. facility, taking it from a one-time industrial cut-shop to a professional, inviting learning and training center for individuals with disabilities. Through her efforts Lois has brought business and community together to improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens. Lois is well-known in the community for championing the needs of individuals with disabilities in so many ways.