Congratulations to the honorees

Once a year Carson Valley's business community gathers to honor its members and those who contribute to making our entire community better.

On Saturday, nearly 100 members of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority attended the chamber's annual gala.

Awards were handed out in categories that included business, tourism business, unsung hero, service club, volunteer and employee of the year.

The honorees were a reflection of the Valley's business interests and social consciousness.

Employee of the year Archie Walker is one of those folks you always see working, but whose name you might not know. He is the "go-to" guy in the banquets of the Carson Valley Inn.

Business of the year Stor-All is the classic example of a local, family-operated business that is both surviving, and spreading that wealth by supporting many community causes.

This year's tourism business of the year, the Carson Valley Arts Council, is an example of how a dedicated group can change the cultural landscape of a place through hard work.

It's telling that half the awards given out by the chamber on Saturday night had nothing to do with business.

Reams of paper were consumed with nominations for unsung hero Jim Valentine for his work with Carson Valley Pop Warner.

So important was Terry Palmitier's work with Austin's House, that the chamber added a category this year for volunteer of the year.

Naming the Minden-Douglas Elks Lodge No. 2670 service club of the year was a tribute to the 25-year old organization, which just recently lost its leader in Gardnerville resident Joe Denton.

It was an honor for those of us involved in the community awards to be able to recognize these fine individuals. Our sincerest thanks both to the honorees for their service and to those who nominated them.