Community award winners announced

Carson Valley's business community will gather on Nov. 13 in Genoa to honor residents who help make this a better place.

The Record-Courier and the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce solicited nominations for service club, volunteer, business, employee and citizen of the year.

The Carson Valley Trails Association was named service club of the year.

"I'm amazed at what's been accomplished over the past couple of years," said Barb Wilson, CVTA vice president of trail awareness.

Founded in 1994 as a nonprofit, the organization has worked to establish the popular Jobs Peak Ranch and Fay-Luther trails in the Foothills area, as well as the Bently-Kirman Tract Trail near the Carson River.

With a nearly $400,000 grant from state Question 1 monies, the organization is currently working on the 22-mile Genoa Foothills Trail System that will connect the historic town to the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Wilson attributes the group's recent successes to the leadership of CVTA President Kerstin Wolle.

"I don't have the words to say how much she's done," Wilson said. "She's pulled people together to make it happen."

Wolle had a different perspective.

"We have a board that is truly outstanding, who gives everything they have and works together, not just amongst themselves, but collaborates with lots of other agencies in the area," Wolle said. "We could never get anything done by ourselves. We're not doing it for ourselves, but for the community, especially for young ones in the community who will be living here, and for generations to come."

Vicki Hargrove is the 2010 volunteer of the year.

A Gardnerville Ranchos resident, Hargrove was nominated for doing volunteer work for the Carson Valley Community Theater, Dakota Organization, Douglas County Historical Society, Douglas County Public Library and Meneley Elementary School.

"I do wear a lot of hats," Hargrove said. "This is very flattering and quite an honor. It's nice to be recognized, but I'm used to working behind the scenes."

Earl Mussett is the 2010 citizen of the year.

The Minden resident was recognized for donating his time to teach tai chi and line dancing classes in Gardnerville and Carson City. Mussett and his line dancers, aka "Earl's Girls," present holiday programs at senior centers and retirement homes.

Mussett is credited for organizing the first World Tai Chi Day in Minden Park, which has been an annual event since 2003.

"Earl is a living example of the health benefits of this practice. He is in his early 80s, in excellent health, teaches classes on nearly a daily basis and also enjoys white water river rafting," his nomination form read. "We are so fortunate to have Earl as a member of our community."

Business of the year owner Rob Taylor said he was honored to be named.

"It feels great," said Taylor, who owns Testa Motorsports in Minden. "It's been a lot of hard work, but it seems to be paying off."

Taylor and wife Bridget started the company in 2004. Testa Motorsports has been at its current location since 2006. This spring, the Taylors plan to expand the all-service shop into a neighboring building.

"We're going to take the whole thing over, hire more employees and get down to business," Taylor said. "I just can't wait to get out there and help others."

Employee of the Year Washoe Tribe Education Advisor Lori Pasqua works with Native American students at Douglas High School, where she monitors their performance and keeps them motivated to graduate, according to Meg McDonald, who nominated her for employee of the year.

Pasqua has worked for the tribe for 22 years. She's a 1980 Carson High School graduate and received an associates liberal arts degree from Western Nevada College.

McDonald said Pasqua's record shows her success. When Pasqua started working for the program in 1994, only five students graduated from high school. In 2010, 18 students graduated.

Pasqua also advises the Indian Club at the high school and coordinates the Western Nevada College Pow Wow.

She also coordinates the annual Nevada Day Pow Wowas well as the annual Wa-Pai-Shone program.

Pasqua said she was pleased that she had been selected for the award.

Each winner receives two tickets to the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce gala dinner, this year held at Antocci's Supper Club at Genoa Lakes.

The gala starts with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

The cost is $65 per person.