Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2016)
Polk County Living Polk County Itemizer-Observer • March 9, 2016 7A Business of the Year HAUGEN’S GALLERI / for Itemizer-Observer Kevin Rogers, Roth’s manager, accepts the award for Business of the Year from Scott McClure. Personal Service Provider HAUGEN’S GALLERI/ for Itemizer-Observer Russ Cooper, Monmouth public works director, was honored with the Distinguished Service award for his careful attention and work ethic, tenacity, and commitment to the community. His wife, Kelly, attended the event with him. Celebrating service Community Awards showcase Monmouth, Indy businesses, people By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer RICKREALL — The em- ployees who work for Mon- mouth public works have a mantra: What are we going to do today? We’re going to make Mon- mouth a better place to live. It’s that constant re- minder that his job has a di- rect impact on the lives of the residents of Monmouth t h a t Ru s s Co o p e r w a s named the Monmouth Inde- pendence Distinguished Service Award winner at Fri- day’s Community Awards banquet. “Twenty-five years ago, I moved to this community to be a student,” Cooper said. “I’m honored to be part of a community. The reasons I’ve stayed here is because, each day, I get to go into work and invest in where I live.” About 200 people attend- ed the banquet at Eola Hills Wine Cellars for the 51st an- nual Monmouth Independ- ence Community Awards. Josh Brandt said the year the ceremony started, 1965, The Beatles released four al- bums in one year; miniskirts were at the top of fashion; and the average house cost $14,200. Also in that year, Batman premiered on TV starring Adam West, and Star Trek debuted. Junior Citizen Anton Al- varez was unable to make it, but asked his teacher Frank White to speak for him. “Helping is part of who I am,” he said in a prepared speech. “Volunteering is a way for me to help other people. Volunteer whenever and wherever you are.” The festive, fun atmos- phere of the evening contin- ued by honoring the people and businesses who make HAUGEN’S GALLERI / for Itemizer-Observer Bob Archer and his staff thanked the community for the privilege of working with people and their pets. HAUGEN’S GALLERI/ for Itemizer-Observe HAUGEN’S GALLERI/ for Itemizer-Observer Ed Alvarez, Anton Alvarez’s father, accepts the Junior Cit- izen award on behalf of his son, who was out of town. And the winners are BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION AWARDS: • Business of the Year: Roth’s Fresh Markets • Retail Services: Roth’s Fresh Markets • Food & Beverage Services: Arena Sports Bar & Grill • Personal Services Provider: Ash Creek Animal Clinic • Professional Services Provider: Oregon State Credit Union • Nonproit or Organization: Partnerships in Community Living Inc. CITIZEN AWARDS: • First Citizen: Pat Jafer • Distinguished Service: Russ Cooper • Junior Citizen: Anton Alvarez • Educator of the Year: Dr. Rob Winningham • Education Support Staf Employee of the Year: Ryan O’Malley Monmouth and Independ- ence great. Julia Parks, of Arena Sports Bar & Grill, accepted the award for Food and Bev- erage Service. “We feel honored to be Education Support Staff here,” she said. “We wouldn’t be here without the support of our community, and our amazing staff and cus- tomers.” Gerontology professor at Western Oregon University, Rob Winningham, won Edu- cator of the Year. His wife, NAME, accepted the award on his behalf. “Working at Western Ore- gon University affords facul- ty a great opportunity to make a difference in stu- dents’ lives,” she said from a prepared speech. Winningham created a gerontology major and minor at WOU and has worked with seniors at the Monmouth Senior Center to help improve their lives. He has written and published books based on his research, and gives students a cutting edge experience in a grow- ing field, according to nomi- nations. Ash Creek Animal Clinic was named Personal Servic- es Provider for the third year in a row. Bob Archer accepted the award. “Thank you for the privi- lege of working with you and your pets,” he said. Roth’s Fresh Markets was another repeat winner. The grocer won Retail Services in 2014. The voting and nomina- tions are done online for about four weeks in January and February. The event is presented by the Mon- mouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce. For more information about how to participate in next year’s event: micc- or.org. Nonprofit or Organization HAUGEN’S GALLERI/ for Itemizer-Observer Joann Fuhrman accepts the award for Partnerships in Community Living Inc., an active community partner. Educator of the Year HAUGEN’S GALLERI / for Itemizer-Observer Rob Winningham’s wife, Camila Gabaldon-Winningham, accepted the award on his behalf, presented by Cec Koontz. Food and Beverage Service Professional Service Provider HAUGEN’S GALLERI/ for Itemizer-Observer HAUGEN’S GALLERI/ for Itemizer-Observer HAUGEN’S GALLERI / for Itemizer-Observer Ryan O’Malley said winning the award was a reflection on the staff at Monmouth Elementary School. Julia Parks and Miranda Garrison accept the award from Sandra Paoli for the Arena Sports Bar & Grill. Molly McDermond accepted the award from Miranda Garrison on behalf of Oregon State Credit Union.
