By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Every year the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce honors a business, an organization and residents who have gone above and beyond to support the community.
At the recognition dinner, Kevin Somes – who has served as the chamber president for 19 years – first called the chamber’s annual meeting to order. He reviewed their recent activities and shared about the upcoming Christmas tree lighting.
This year the chamber introduced a new Young Entrepreneur membership and so far has one member: Sam Somes, who is 12. He made Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear and Running Springs keychains on his 3D printers and has started Sam’s 3D Prints.
“We’d love to have other under-18 business owners join,” Somes said. “We want to get more involvement from youngsters in the community.”
He then recognized and thanked the outgoing board members: Jenny Hueter, Cathy Clemons, Jordan Zarate, Vickey England and Mike Lee, who was not able to attend the dinner. Each one, Somes said, brought their special skills to the chamber board.
As president, Somes then installed the 2026-2027 board: Becky Morgan, vice president; Alex Lim, secretary; and board members Kalee Chapman, Jennifer Conger, Dean Langley, Susan Lopez, Heather Paul, Steve Peter, Heather Stenson and Miguel Torres. They do not currently have a treasurer but lifetime member Mike Scullin is filling in, for which Somes honored him.
It was then time for the recognition awards. Somes noted they had received a record number of nominations. “There were many deserving organizations and people nominated,” he said. “It was tough to make decisions but the committee came up with four winners.”
Sunflower Bank was honored as the Business of the Year. “They play an important role in the community,” Somes said. “They are a big supporter of the chamber. They have allowed for farmers market parking in their lot and we use their electricity and water for water balloons.
Sunflower Bank was honored as the Business of the Year. Manager Francine Martin (third from left) said helping people is “at the heart of everything we do.”
“Thank you for this incredible honor,” said Francine Martin, the bank manager. “It is especially meaningful as it comes from the community we are privileged to serve. For us, it’s always been about people – helping a family build their future, lending an ear to a customer going through a difficult time. That is at the heart of everything we do.”
The Running Springs Area Golden Oaks was named the Organization of the Year. “They do so much for the community,” Somes said, noting their annual free Thanksgiving dinner is coming up in a couple of weeks. He told them they will be receiving some funds from the recent tri-chamber mixer to go toward that dinner.
“Everyone is a volunteer,” said President Ron Manning. “We run the thrift store and give back what we can to the community. Anyone who needs help should come to the Golden Oaks.”
The first Citizen of the Year to be honored was Miguel Torres. “He has really stepped up the past couple of years,” Somes said. “He has a passion for downtown Running Springs, where his business is. He came to chamber meetings and asked for help. He created decorations and paints them for the various holidays.”
Somes added that Torres is the mastermind behind Enchanted Nights, which began recently. “They have been an overwhelming success, bringing folks to downtown and making a positive impact on businesses.”
“The chamber has been a really good support,” Torres said. He shared that he had been in Banff a couple of years ago and saw tree cutouts there. That gave him the inspiration for Running Springs. When he mentioned how much work it was to get them ready for each holiday, 45 people showed up at his house to help.
Talking about his move to Running Springs, Torres said that he “saw the town and thought it was cute, like a Hallmark movie. I never expected to get recognition for what I love to do.”
The second Citizen of the Year to be honored was Patty Lyon, who was introduced by outgoing board member Jordan Zarate.
“When I moved up here and was getting started with my business,” Zarate said, “I went around town looking for business. I told folks how I could help build their websites. Patty met with me, listened and was one of my first clients here in the Running Springs area.”
He noted that in her more than 48 years in Running Springs, Lyon has run six different businesses, including a daycare, a grocery store and a real estate business. “She doesn’t seek recognition – she tries to avoid it. We wanted to look at folks who have been here for decades, who have invested in the town.”
True to the description of her not wanting recognition, Lyon’s comments were succinct: “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Special recognition was paid by Somes to the late Robin Bull. “Robin was very special to us,” he said. “We recognize her for her leadership and her passion for the Rim of the World communities. She did excellent work representing Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s office. We could call her with questions, ask for advice – she offered plenty of counsel.”
Somes asked for a moment of silence in memory of Robin Bull. “Thank you, Robin, for your years of service to the mountain communities.”
Somes thanked Heather Gourlay and Ashley James for being at the dinner representing Congressman Jay Obernolte and Supervisor Dawn Rowe, respectively. They brought certificates for all the honorees and board members.
He thanked Bev Brown, who has coordinated the installation and recognition dinner for several years. “Bev does so much work behind the scenes,” Somes said. And he thanked Amber Livingston, who entertained the guest during the social hour with her lovely voice.
He also expressed the chamber’s thanks for Southern California Edison, which sponsored the dinner. “Edison has become a huge supporter of the chamber,” Somes said.
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