Chamber honors community leaders during Nashville Nights

Nashville Nights was the theme of Polson Chamber of Commerce’s Community Awards Night on Feb. 24. Guests got into the spirit of the event with hats, boots, jeans and bling.

During the gathering at the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino, chamber members, nominees and community members enjoyed a social hour, dinner and presentation of awards. Emcee Brian Miskimins, chamber president Cole Wallace and vice-president Joslyn Shackelford presented engraved plaques to a wide array of community members businesses. 

The North Lake County Library with Abbi Dooley at the helm won for Non-Profit Organization of the Year. The library has undergone two moves, major construction, and did it all with a smile and no hiccups in service to library patrons. 

Next up was the Randy Ingram Leadership Award, and it was presented to Chief George Simpson, Polson Police Department. The award recognizes “citizens who exhibit outstanding community leadership  and unselfishly give their time to better our community.”  

The John Tiskus Memorial Citizen of the Year Award “represents a citizen in the Polson area involved  in growing the community through their vision and leadership. This person(s) is committed to voluntary service and displays high ethical and personal integrity,” as John did. This award went to Lisa and Alex Wall-Rodriguez who own and operate Fun and Fancy Free Learning Center. 

Scott Heinz, Mission Valley Christian Academy, received the Andy Anderson Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes a person who volunteers his/her time through community service.

The Business of the Year Awards honors a business that shows growth through revenue and creation of jobs, has innovative products and services, encourages employees to volunteer, and demonstrates economic support of the Polson-area business community. The 2024 winner is Stutzman’s Furniture. 

Pauline Baran was honored with the Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award, presented in memory of Ann Belen, who was an outstanding supporter of the PCC for many years. 

Polson High School Principal Andrew Fors said he was honored to be able to present the annual Polson School District Awards. Barb Scott was honored as the Classified Employee of the Year for more than 30 years of service; Bonnie Petersen was named Certified Employee of the Year; and Tammy Kelley was celebrated as Polson’s Teacher of the Year. 

Polson City Manager Ed Meese took the podium to announce the pick for City of Polson Staff of the Year, which went to city planner Rob Edington. 

After applause, photos and congratulations, Girls and Guitars with Rylee and Tomara played country and western tunes for dancing and enjoyment.

Vintage vinyl 33 rpm records covered the coffee and dessert tables and served as placemats for each guest. Album covers from recording artists such as Marty Robbins, Lynn Anderson, Farron Young, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash decorated the south wall of the KwaTaqNuk’s ballroom as a nod to the Nashville Nights theme. 

The guests made these musical icons proud as they whirled, turned, waltzed, and howled at the moon (Wyoming slang for dancing, partying, and enjoying the evening).

    Cowgirls abounded at Nashville Nights, Polson Chamber's annual Community Awards on Saturday night. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)