Ken Coreson

The Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Citizens Awards Banquet Jan. 25 at the Cloverleaf Hall in Enterprise, honoring Wallowa County citizens who make outstanding contributions.

Awards categories include: business, employee, arts, education, natural resources, non-profits/events and unsung hero. Winners of the awards, in the order listed above, were Kent Lozier, Marnee Norton, Beth Gibans, Mary Edwards, Rhonda Shirley, Lee Daggett and Ken Coreson

Citizens nearly packed the hall wall-to-wall to enjoy a prime rib dinner and lounge music.

David Nelson and Jon Rombach emceed and earned a multitude of laughs while Marc Stauffer, as outgoing president of the chamber, gave a prayer invocation. The Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Court led the crowd in the Flag Invocation.

The Citizens Awards started with nominator Randy Morgan awarding Kent Lozier of Thompson Auto Supply with the “Leader in Business” award sponsored by the Chieftain. Lozier’s nomination cited him for his selfless dedication to the community, including basing his parts inventory according to vehicles registered in the county.

The recognition of Lozier touted his working knowledge of agricultural machinery parts, a benefit to the agricultural community, as well as his dedication to volunteering for community events, especially Hells Canyon Mule Days. He gave much of the credit for the award to his wife, Sondra.

Marnee Norton won “Employee of the Year.” Ruby Lathrop nominated her based on Norton’s stellar work in all areas as an employee of Umpqua Bank. Lathrop praised Norton for her people skills in rancorous situations as well as her volunteer work with the Enterprise School Library on a weekly basis.

Beth Gibans received the “Leader in Agriculture” Award after her nomination by Sara Miller of Northeastern Oregon Economic Development District on behalf of Wallowa Resources.

The nomination praised Gibans for her business acumen with her own Backyard Gardens Produce & Catering LLC, as well as her work in establishing the Wallowa County Community Farmers Market in Joseph. Gibans also helped pioneer the offering of Community Supported Agriculture shares. Gibans gave a pre-recorded thank you speech from a catering job in St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mary Edwards received the nod for “Leader in the Arts” after nomination by Kelly Wick and Shelley Curtiss on behalf of the Wallowa Valley Arts Council.

A letter of recommendation praised Edwards’ dedication to the arts as co-director of the Festival of Arts the past two years and also mentioned that she helped organize a calendar to coordinate the event and streamline the entry process for artists. Edwards also spends her spare time as an underwater photographer.

Lee Daggett of Wallowa Mountain Properties received the “Leader in Events” award after nomination by Tim Soares. The nomination and supporting letters told of Daggett’s dedication to the sport of rodeo, including all facets of the Broncs and Bulls event. Daggett also volunteers announcement duties at the Chief Joseph Days queen tryouts, parts of the CJD Rodeo and parade, the Eagle Cap Extreme sled dog race and other events.

Rhonda Shirley, principal and superintendent of Joseph Charter School, received the honor of “Educational Leader Award.” Shirley was nominated by teachers Kendall Hayes and Marla Dotson, as well as a number of letters of recommendation.

The nomination congratulated Shirley for her efforts on behalf of the Joseph School District, where she received her childhood education. She returned upon graduation from college, embarking upon a 35-year career that included stints of teaching, coaching, principal and superintendent.

Shirley’s latest accomplishments include gaining charter school status for Joseph, as well as finding funding for three new classrooms and a practice gym, the latter, soon to carry Shirley’s name.

Ken Coreson received recognition in the final presentation with the “Unsung Hero” award. Jack and Judy Burgoyne nominated Coreson and several letters of support commended him for his past ministry and stewardship of the Nazarene Church and most recently for establishing Creating Memories, an organization that helps disabled children and adults enjoy the outdoors and participate in activities such as hunting and fishing.

During a moving speech, Coreson took virtually no credit for his accomplishments, rather, giving it to the disabled people he said were his inspiration, Coreson received a standing ovation, a fitting conclusion to the night’s awards presentations.