FORKS — The store that’s all about Twilight dazzled those voting on the Business of the Year Award for the Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Dazzled by Twilight was honored for the efforts to support tourism in Forks, said Marcia Bingham, executive director of the chamber.
Good business models
“They have opened up a whole new kind of marketing,” Bingham said.
“They have not only the one or two or three stores, but their stores are an activity for people to enjoy while in town.
“They are models of new businesses and have been so involved in all things involving Forks,” Bingham said.
“We are so happy to acknowledge them in this way.”
The store, which opened about a year ago, sells Twilight-themed merchandise.
The book series — and subsequent movies — are set in Forks and tell the romantic adventures of teen Bella Swan, her vampire suitor Edward Cullen and her best friend — who also attempts to woo her — Jacob Black.
The store was honored at the annual Forks Chamber of Commerce Auction on Saturday night.
The amount the auction raised was not available on Sunday, Bingham said.
“We are very blessed with generous contributors and bidders,” she said.
Tropical theme
“It was cold and stormy outside, but with our tropical theme, it was all ‘aloha’ indoors.
“We had well over 150 people there, but we haven’t yet tallied anything.”
The theme of the event was “Three Hour Tour” — based on “Gilligan’s Island.”
Those attending were asked to wear Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts.
“All the tables and some of the guests were decked out in grass skirts,” Bingham said.
The Citizen of the Year was John Calhoun, a longtime Forks-area resident.
“He has served as the West End Port of Port Angeles commissioner and has looked after us there,” Bingham said.
“He also has worked very hard to help on the biomass project.
“He has typified a very visible, contributing member in Forks on a lot of different things.”
Biomass boiler
The biomass boiler project at Forks High School will begin construction within the next year.
Its boiler will burn wood waste to create heat for the high school.
In his position as a port commissioner, Calhoun proposed and headed up an effort to do a feasibility study for another biomass project on the West End.
Also honored at the event was Warren Johnson as the chamber’s Volunteer of the Year.
Johnson has worked with the Forks Congregational Church to raise money for a new roof.
“The church has been without a clergy and he has been involved in putting on breakfasts to raise money to do maintenance on the building,” Bingham said.
“He has also been very generous in assisting the chamber when we needed help on the computer systems.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.