By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Lake Arrowhead Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards ceremony during the Step Into Success Power Breakfast at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa last Thursday, April 9. The breakfast featured winners in six categories, and guest speaker Meredith Lee from Got Rhythm in Ventura, who was there to inspire the chamber members to improve their businesses.
Every community member or business that was nominated received a certificate from the Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce. Winners received trophies and a recognition of their accomplishments from representatives of Congressman Jay Obernotle, Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Assemblyman Tom Lackey and State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh. At the end of the breakfast all the nominees and winners had group photos taken.
In the category of Community Member of the Year, those nominated were Chad Logan, Paul Fournier, Rhea-Frances Tetley, Scott L Rindenow and Steve Valentine. The winner was Chad Logan of Logan Construction for his donations to the community and his giveaways locally and in Mexico.
A business in the mountains with 20 or more employees is considered a large business for this category. In the Large Business of The Year category, the nominees were Lake Arrowhead Events, Lake Arrowhead Pine Rose Cabins & Pine Rose Weddings, Lou Eddie’s Pizza, Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority, Mountains Community Hospital, Pali Mountain and Skypark at Santa’s Village. The winner was Lake Arrowhead Pine Rose Cabins & Pine Rose Weddings for all they have done over the decades for the community. Tricia Dufour accepted the trophy.
There are many valuable and beneficial organizations and non-profit groups on the mountain, all serving unique roles in the community. The groups nominated as Organization of The Year were Bear Valley Protection Society, New Life Holistic, Inc., Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Rim of The World Soroptimist International, Rim of The World Historical Society & Mountain History Museum and Willow Woods Quilt Guild. The winner was Rim of The World Soroptimist International for their many projects, such as the Every Girl Counts program for middle school girls, the Mammo-grant program that provides free mammograms to those who can’t afford them and the many other projects they have supported over the years. This year their Mammo-grant program has also been recognized and honored by Soroptimist International and used as an example for other clubs worldwide.
Community Member of the Year winner Chad Logan, center.
A new category this year was the Rising Star Award to recognize a business that has been on the mountain for three years or less but is making a difference in the community. Those nominated were Grocery Outlet Bargain Market (Blue Jay), Lake Arrowhead Jiu Jitsu (Cedar Glen), L. Dubbs Engraving (Skyforest) and Oak Leaf Bakery (Crestline). The winner was Grocery Outlet Bargain Market (Blue Jay) for the boost they have given the economy, hiring so many local employees and financial savings they have offered their customers.
Small businesses are defined as having fewer than 20 employees. Nominees for Small Business of The Year were Fox In The Woods Catering, Ground Werks Plumbing & Rooter, Higher Grounds HVAC and the Alpine Mountaineer (Owner/Publisher Cecilia Ponce DeLeon, who is also a member of the LACCOC). The winner was Ground Werks Plumbing & Rooter for the great support they have given the business community and the Chamber.
A person who volunteers for the community offers great value to businesses and community members around them. The nominations for Volunteer of the Year were Carmen Garton, Jileen Pattison, Susan Parks, Scott L. Rindenow and Ken Witte. The winner, Susan Parks, has been very active in Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities for over 30 years, changing the lives of the home owners and their families by making their homes safe, warm and dry.
Ms. Lee served as Keynote Speaker and got the audience up and dancing. She also had four groups demonstrate her five steps to success: Energy, Expression, Comfort, Connection and Mutual Understanding. Success is synchronization within those five pillars. She was assisted by Steve Valentine, a mountain Realtor and ballroom dance champion and teacher.
Chamber of Commerce membership plaques were presented to new chamber members: Amid The Stars, who offers a star tour akin to those in Los Angeles; Elizabeth Thompson, a wine seller; For Families of Active Duty Military, who for 18 years have been bringing military families to the mountains to escape daily stress and relax on the lake; and Armand LeSage of the Screen Actors Guild and Skypark. Other new members of the chamber but not in attendance were Championship Beauty, LLC., Everise Foundation, Inc., Mountain Country Realty, Olga Grace, Showtime Collision and Thorcraft Tech.
The chamber offers ways to amplify business success through networking events, a member directory, advertising through social media channels, e-Blasts, promotion through their newsletters, promotion at events, advertising events and activities that bring visitors to the community.
The Power Breakfast was attended by over 80 chamber members to honor the “Best of the Community” in each of the six categories. The awards selection committee was made up of chamber board members Anastacia Peterson, Sandra Koos and Lori Butler.
Chamber president Scott Rindenow thanked the community volunteers for “Your energy, as it matters, and setting the bar high for the community.” He then thanked the Chamber board for “Championing the community and making Lake Arrowhead not just a destination but a source of pride for all of us.”
One of the Chamber’s next fun events that is open to the public is their monthly “Lunch Mob” on Monday April 27 Members “mob” together for lunch at a local restaurant from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. This month they will meet at Toni’s Kitchen at the corner of Lake Drive at Lake Gregory Drive in Crestline. They will network on Toni’s newly remodeled patio overlooking Lake Gregory. “Bring your appetite and funds to help this Mexican restaurant have a good day,” said Lori Butler. They also are offering upcoming seminars, trainings and more for local businesses.
The Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce is located in Lake Arrowhead Village in a corner office on the second floor overlooking the lower parking lot. The office is open Thursdays through Sundays. Call them at (909) 336-1547, visit www.lakearrowheadchamber.com or email info@lakearrowheadchamber.com for more information.
0 Comments