PORT ANGELES — The business and members honored with the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards had a celebratory theme.
Leslie and Howard Fisher, “celebration specialists” who own the disk jockey business Double Exposure, were named as Member Extraordinaire by the chamber’s staff during Monday’s luncheon meeting at the Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant.
Vintner Kathy Charlton, owner of Olympic Cellars, received the President’s Award, which is given out by the chamber president — this year Betsy Reed Schultz.
Transplants
The Fishers moved to Port Angeles from Whittier, Calif., only two years ago.
“The past couple of years, when we bring the staff together to look over the options for who might be really good, it has been really straightforward who the Member Extraordinaire would be,” said Russ Veenema, executive director of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, to the luncheon audience Monday.
“I’m amazed at how these folks have helped us all out.
“They have been painting buildings, helping out at events, pouring a whole lot of wine, getting feedback on how activities are going, doing ambassador duties and even provided a backdrop for a wedding or two.”
Leslie Fisher said she was honored to receive the award — the same type of recognition the couple received from the Whittier Chamber of Commerce as top volunteers in 1998.
“All of the events we participate in and all of the volunteering we do is done with joy and is truly from the heart,” she said.
“We have made so many friends through the chamber, and we absolutely love this community.”
Schultz said she selected Charlton because of her dedication to the community, comparing her to the women in the book Women to Reckon With: Untamed Women of the Olympic Peninsula.
“She was not born and raised here, but she has staked her claim,” Schultz said.
“Her boundless energy, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit to revitalize a failing property is evident,” Schultz said of the landmark Olympic Cellars barn-style building between Port Angeles and Sequim.
“She has extended a hand and business acumen to those who need it.
“I am certain that if she had been here in the 19th century with her sparkling eyes through the brim of her hat she would have, I am absolutely certain, taken her place with those untamed women.”
Charlton teared up saying that she was “deeply, deeply honored” to receive the presidential award.
“It has been the most amazing experience to move from Dallas [Texas] to Port Angeles and to experience the community and have the amazing friends here,” she said.
New president
Schultz also bade farewell as the chamber president, handing over the gavel to registered investment adviser Jim Hallett.
Also installed Monday were Lisa Meyer as vice president and Rob Onnen as treasurer.
New members of the board include Howard Fisher, Joni Eades, Charlton, Mike Rainey and Julie Hatch.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
