Chamber recognizes best of Valley

Douglas County Historical Society President Grace Bower was named the unsung hero of the year by The Record-Courier and the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Bower was one of six residents or businesses recognized at a gala dinner Friday at Genoa Lakes Golf Club sponsored by the chamber and the newspaper.

"I think it's a great honor," she said of the award. "I don't look for those things, but for somebody to recognize what I do does make a difference. It makes you feel that you are doing something worthwhile."

She attended the dinner and awards ceremony with her husband of 54 years, Jesse. The couple moved to Carson Valley in 1992 from San Diego. More than 150 Douglas County business people and officials attended the dinner.

Bower took charge of the historical society not long after its museum director left and inherited many of those duties along with her job as president.

"The duties of a president is to be in charge of the trustees and run those meetings and work with the director," she said. "Since we don't have a director, I've been taking the place of the director."

Bower logged in more than 1,000 hours last year as director of the society, averaging 20 hours a week.

"If we have a problem we have to fix it," she said. "That's what a director is supposed to do and that's what I do. Solve the problems and write grants."

In addition to being president of the historical society, Bower is in charge of the society's Young Chautauquan program and chairwoman of fundraising.

"I would be doing those things if I were president or not," she said.

Awards were presented by chamber president and R-C Publisher Janet Geary and chamber President-elect Nick Pchelkin.

"The evening was a huge success," Geary said. "We had a wonderful turnout and it was a pleasure to be able to honor such great people and businesses in our community."

Douglas County Communications Department office manager Tammy James was recognized as employee of the year.

Carson Valley Golf Course and Tahoe Ridge Winery tied for tourism business of the year.

Business of the year was Bella Vita and Wasabi's Sushi and Asian Bistro.

The Douglas Animal Welfare Group was named service club of the year. Cherie Owen accepted the award for the group.