FORKS — Edith Henry was awarded the Forks Citizen of the Year on Saturday night at the 20th annual Wine & Cheese “Sol Duc Dynasty” fundraising event at the Roundhouse.
Awards for Volunteer of the Year Dean Hurn and Business of the Year Dahlgren Logging were also announced and presented at the event.
The Forks Chamber of Commerce event raised funds for the Visitor Information Center.
Henry has served as a den mother and organizer for the Boy Scout Troop 1467 for 22 years and volunteers with her church and with scholarship fundraising.
“I can’t believe this. I’m not used to this, being in the forefront,” she said.
She said she began working with the Boy Scouts of America when her son, Trevor Henry, began his time as a Scout 22 years ago.
“He got his Eagle. All of the boys have earned them since. I love watching them grow up from little boys to responsible young men,” she said.
Henry volunteers about five hours per week managing the scout troop meetings, in addition to about six hours a month working on the organization of trips and activities.
She is also the treasurer for the First Congregational Church and for several years organized the cashier function of the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction.
“It’s a lot easier since I retired,” Henry said.
She worked as a receptionist for her husband, Dr. Bob Henry, a dentist, and the couple retired in March.
Other nominees for Citizen of the Year were: John Calhoun, Port of Port Angeles commissioner, Lions Club secretary and wheelchair ramp builder; Marcia Bingham, former director of the Forks Chamber of Commerce who now is customer service manager; Susie Brandelius, an Elks Lodge officer who also helps seniors through her work at the office of Senior Information & Assistance; and Bob Kratzer, owner of Anglers Guide Service and president of the Northwest Olympic Peninsula Sport Fishing Coalition.
Dean Hurn was named Forks Volunteer of the Year at the event.
Hurn, a member of the Forks Lions Club, recently received an award from the Lions district governor for “his ongoing and invaluable commitment to Lionism.”
Efforts to reach Hurn on Sunday were unsuccessful.
Other nominees for the Volunteer of the Year award were: Gordon Gibbs, who provides root beer at Fish N Brew and Wine & Cheese and serves on Forks and county committees; Mark Soderlind, Fourth of July committee chair and a member of the Jefferson Community Hospital advisory board; Vern Hestand, the “driving force” behind the West End Business and Professional Association; Jack Zaccardo, who “has helped keep the community’s history alive by researching its past and sharing the stories with local residents”; and John Glover, volunteer for the Forks Food Bank and the Lions Club.
Dahlgren Logging was selected as the Business of the Year.
The logging company has donated volunteer hours and equipment at the Forks Timber Museum and Loggers Memorial.
Efforts to reach Dahlgren Logging were unsuccessful Sunday afternoon.
Other nominees for the Business of the Year award were: First Federal,Quileute Oceanside Resort, Three Rivers Resort & Guide Service, Umpqua Bank and Home Slice Take N Bake.
The event included live bluegrass music by Loose Gravel, wine from Harbinger Winery, homemade root beer, beer, cheese and snacks.
Guests were asked to wear camouflage and hunter orange.
“There were some very creative outfits,” said Lissy Andros, executive director of the Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, a photo booth with fake beards, sunglasses and other props was popular among the guests, Andros said.
A silent auction for the Forks Visitor Information Center also took place during the event, but results of the auction will not be available until later this week, she said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.