Melissa Fulton, executive director of the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce, said this year the awards committee received its largest number of nominations in its 10-year history – 122 in all.
Twenty-four of the golden stars statuettes were handed out to gifted teens, dedicated lifelong volunteers, artists and youth advocates.
The list of this year's winner follows:
– Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year Award: Dr. Tony Veletto, Lakeport.
– Senior of the Year: Shari Koch, Lakeport.
– Volunteer of the Year: Margaret Medeiros, Clearlake Oaks.
– Student of the Year “Bo Tipton” Award, female: Lauren Nixon, Kelseyville; male, Jorel Allegro, Lakeport.
– Youth advocate, volunteer: Roy and Charlotte Disney, Lakeport.
– Youth advocate, profession: Mike Stempe, Kelseyville.
– Agriculture: Jim Fetzer, Nice.
– Organization, nonprofit: Meals on Wheels drivers (all county senior centers).
– Organization, volunteer: Free Kitchen Project, Lakeport.
– Environmental: Frank Meisenbach, Lower Lake.
– New business: Aero Airport Shuttle & Charter Service (Jeff and Michelle Tennison), Middletown.
– Small business: Strong Financial Network (Jennifer Strong), Lakeport.
– Large business: Piedmont Lumber (Bill and Vicky Myer), Lakeport.
– Best idea: Old Time Bluegrass Festival, Lower Lake.
– Local Hero: Sgt. Mike Hermann, Clearlake Police Department, and Lisa Denny, registered nurse, Redbud Hospital, Clearlake.
– The Arts, amateur: Cindy Car, Lakeport.
– The Arts, professional: Caroline Wing Greenlee, Kelseyville.
– Spirit of Lake County: David Neft, Middletown.
– Woman of the Year: Dr. Louise Nan, Clearlake.
– Man of the Year: John Norcio, Lakeport.
– Lifetime achievement, woman: Thelma Dangel, Kelseyville: man, Bill Cornelison, Cobb.
– Wind Beneath Our Wings Award: Melissa and John Fulton, Lakeport.
Check the gallery for photos of 2007 Stars!
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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