PORT TOWNSEND–The spirit of volunteerism was celebrated Sunday as the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce honored those who have taken extraordinary measures to support the community as Citizen of the Year and Business Leader of the Year.
“This place is so full of volunteers, I’m always amazed,” said Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval.
“They make all of our lives much richer in this community, this county, and I’m very thankful.”
At the Fort Worden ceremony, Lucille and Noble Nilsen were named Citizens of the Year, and Katherine Baril was honored as Business Leader of the Year.
The Nilsens have created almost 3,000 custom quilts and delivered them to the Family Birth Center at Jefferson Healthcare and other hospitals, while Baril, who retired this month as executive director of the WSU Extension in Port Hadlock, has worked to improve the local business climate for 20 years.
Value of volunteerism
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader Publisher Scott Wilson underscored the value of volunteerism while introducing the nominees for Citizen of the Year.
“As we all know from watching the budget news, people are going to need to step forward or step into things they expected someone else to do,” he said.
“Fortunately, Port Townsend and Jefferson County have a long, rich tradition of doing that.”
Wilson said the recipients of the awards make their contributions without seeking publicity,
“For one day, we are not going to let you get away with that,” Wilson said. “We are going to put you in front of the community so they can see who you are and what you do.”
Elders and mentors
Although she has “retired,” Baril said she will continue to stay involved in Jefferson County’s economic development.
“So many executive directors are retiring right now, but they are ready to be elders and mentors for the new generation of leadership in this county,” she said.
“I am so proud to share this award with quiltmakers because quilts are the way we weave the individual parts of the community together to make a greater whole and build social capital.”
Aside from the Nilsens, the Citizen of the Year nominees were arts activist Cindy Hill Finnie, Jefferson Healthcare Hospital Auxiliary member Helen Marriott and Kim McGuire, past president of the Jefferson Equestrian Association.
Other Business Leader of the Year nominees were Hadlock Building Supply founders Morris and Sandy James and Lillian Lovato; Bill Mahler, executive director of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding; Christina Pivarnik, city of Port Townsend Marketing director; Valley Tavern owner Chuck Russell; and Forest Gems Gallery co-owner Susan Windle.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
