Silver Valley Chamber Award winners announced

KELLOGG — The Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce coupled its annual awards and installation banquet with a little informal fun Friday at the Kellogg Elks Lodge. 

This event serves as a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the chamber's dedication to serving businesses in the Silver Valley.  

The 2024 board of directors and officers were sworn in and community awards for citizen of the year, love our locals, precious gem, business member of the year, volunteer of the year, community engagement, and community beautification were handed out with some of the participants in attendance dressed evoking high school yearbook themed clothing. The night’s master of ceremonies, Rachael Krusemark, was decked out in a prom queen crown as the presenters were introduced throughout the evening.

New Silver Valley chamber officers are: Juli Zook, president, Keri Alexander, past president, Kelton Enich, first vice president, Andy Helkey, second vice president, Chris Marker, treasurer, and Scott Albrethsen, secretary.   

New board members include: Angie Soper, Melinda Parks, Molly Roberts, Jessica Krulitz and Tristen Straw. Current board members are: Bridget Hojem, Gina Doerschel, Sarah Murphy, Tara Lodi and Gus Colburn. 

Joan Block and John Fuller were given the Love our Locals Award for never missing a single event. The Silver Valley Chamber’s Love Local series was a flash mob style event to celebrate local businesses with focused attention.

Karen Hulstrom and Diannah Brown were honored for their years of service to the chamber, but were unable to attend.

The Precious Gem Award was awarded to Project Uplift for bringing in The Smithsonian Exhibit, after school programs, and Front Porch Talks and the city of Kellogg was bestowed with the Community Engagement Award for their revitalization efforts.

New chamber president Juli Zook presented John Cook with the Business Member of the Year award, calling him "the cat's meow," for his work over the years with Shoshone Pet Rescue, Silver Valley Cat Wranglers and beyond, offering discounted services, courtesy exams for healthy animals, free microchip implantation and administering vaccines at no cost to help animals in the Valley.

Zook said of Cook, “his commitment to those who cannot speak for themselves has been a beacon of hope and kindness in our town.”

While introducing Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey as the Citizen of the Year recipient, past chamber president Keri Alexander said it had only taken a short time in office for Lindsey to prove herself as a leader and to set a good example for the community.

“The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office has also responded to numerous heart-wrenching and difficult calls throughout the year. Sheriff Lindsey’s leadership during those challenging times was compassionate, proactive, professional and respectful,” Alexander said.

Lynette Vanbuskirk accepted the Community Beautification Award for her work in uptown Kellogg ahead of the 2023 Kellogg High School All-Class Reunion. While presenting the award, Alexander said that the cascading flowers along the streets proved that Vanbuskirk is “A floral queen who knows what she’s doing.”

Juli Zook announced a small break in tradition as the Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to two individuals at this banquet, rather than one.

To Zook, Carol and Paul Roberts embody altruism and community spirit through their work at the Sixth Street Melodrama, school and summer programs for youth, Shoshone Medical Center, Mountain View Congregational Church and chamber events. 

 “Carol and Paul Roberts, your commitment, creativity, and compassion make our community a brighter place. This award is a token of our immense gratitude and respect,” Zook said.

    John Cook was recognized as the Business Member of the Year at the Silver Valley Chamber Awards and installment dinner Friday, Jan. 19. Chamber president Juli Zook presented the award.
  

    Rachael Krusemark and Keri Alexander present the Love Our Locals Award from Silver Valley Chamber to Joan Block and John Fuller.
  

    Silver Valley officers and board members gathered to be sworn in for a new year and celebrate dedicated in the community for their efforts. Board members: Juli Zook, president, Keri Alexander, past president, Kelton Enich, first vice president, Andy Helkey, second vice president, Chris Marker, treasurer, and Scott Albrethsen, secretary. Board members include: Angie Soper, Melinda Parks, Molly Roberts, Jessica Krulitz, Tristen Straw, Bridget Hojem, Gina Doerschel, Sarah Murphy, Tara Lodi, and Gus Colburn.