Compiled by Rhea-Frances Tetley
For the next two weeks, the names and bios of the community members who have been nominated by local residents for Citizen of the Year will be printed so the community will know about the many wonderful things they do to make the community a better place for its residents to live.
It will be up to the board of directors of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce to choose the Crestline Vibes 2025 Citizen of the Year, who will get the honor of riding in the Jamboree Days parade.
These nominations, listed in alphabetical order, have been edited for newspaper space, still highlighting each of these nominees’ positive attributes and actions.
Louis Boehle
Louis is kind and never ceases to support the business community of Crestline. He goes to great lengths to make this hamlet magical. He previously served as president of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce and has now returned to the position. He recently got the handicapped ramp installed and the visitors center finally redesigned and opened, just in time for the summer tourist season.
Mickey Caballero
As an amazing Blue Star Mom, Mickey has had a major positive influence on the community. She is a strong mother who is the glue to her family; while helping others and as a team member she contributes to the mountain community in which she grew up. She relentlessly works as a volunteer member of the Jubilee Church, works hard for our schools and is dedicated to supporting the Blue Star Moms, which raises funds for the banners that are placed throughout the mountain communities to recognize local active members of all the military branches. She also sends packages to those deployed in the military and helped during the recent Memorial Day service at the San Moritz Lodge. She is kind, cool and a wonderful and funny person who loves this community and our nation.
John Dennis
A Crestline native, John has lived here all his life. He spends his free time coaching Rim football and is known by many because he works at Snyder’s Tire Service.
Carrie Forbear
Carrie does many things in various ways for the Crestline community, with a “heart of service.” By reading to kids at the library, she helped raise funds for Noah for his heart transplant expenses. She’s on the board of directors for Possibilities Unlimited, Inc. and is the fundraising chair for the Crest Forest Seniors, where she coordinated the Spring Fling and the Veteran’s Memorial Day ceremony, helping with the trout derby, and she ran the Connection Center for Woodlands Church. She is generous, intelligent, knowledgeable, hardworking, persistent and brings joy to those who work with her and she loves living in Crestline. She was just recognized during the Rotary Community Awards night for all the positive things she does for the community.
Ginger Gabriel
As a decades-long resident, Ginger has provided mental health counseling to local residents for years. She created a support group for women who became widows during Covid; it remains ongoing as these strong women navigate life changes. She created the local Quilts of Valor program, both sewing and leading others in creating these special quilts to “hug” our veterans with appreciation. She writes for the Alpine Mountaineer newspaper and is writing a book. She also leads a vibrant prayer training ministry at Lake Gregory Community Church.
Frank Gaskin
Frank Gaskin has lived in Crestline since 1987. He is a wonderful person, husband, father and friend, making friends wherever he goes. He cares greatly for the people who live and work in our community. As an example, he bought lunch for the postal workers to thank them for all they do. He supports the Lions Club. He has cared for his bedridden wife for the past three years. At Goodwin’s and 7-Eleven he talks to everyone and always has them laughing, spreading joy wherever he goes.
Mary Gonzales
Mary moved to the mountain in the 1980s and has served the Crestline community for 25 years, first by volunteering for the Rim School District, Jubilee Church and numerous community events. After getting a job with the Rim School District in 1998, she has served three generations of families through the schools at two different schools. During the Old Fire, she volunteered with the Red Cross at Norton Air Force Base, serving mountain families who were there. She’s very involved in food distribution at Jubilee Church, being sure individual needs are met, overcoming obstacles and she also delivers food to those families in need and gathers clothing and distributes donations to others, while tending to the needs of her own 12 grandchildren. “She continues to give her heart and soul to her community with expectation of nothing in return.”
Michelle Hake
“Michelle is the secret source of Crestline Vibes.” As former president of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce, she is the energy behind the recently released Crestline Magazine and tourism committee, so she is an excellent choice for Citizen of the Year. She runs her store, Hearth and Sage, cares for her son and husband and still finds time to serve as an executive board member of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce.
Angela Harrington
Angela goes above and beyond to bring mental health to the community. She stepped in and ran MPH’s PTA when it was needed, while her own child was barely a toddler. She does so much to help with the Rotary, which does excellent things for the community. She’s amazing!
Roy Harwood
Roy is a special contribution to the area and strives to support the community. He has worked harder for Burrtec than anyone for over a decade and deserves this honor. “He strives to support our community and country and deserves this honor more than anyone.”
Roy Hill
Roy grew up on the mountain and shares stories of his experiences in his life with those he comes in contact with and “his stories are the best.” He unselfishly helps others as he knows a kind and generous community is the best place to live.
Part 2 of the Citizen of the Year nominations will appear in the June 26 issue.
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