kPillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards Banquet May 4

Plan to join us for this annual celebration at the Cowlitz County Event Center!

One of the most impactful aspects of the Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards Banquet is the presentation of scholarships for local high school students. Students seeking any type of post-secondary education have applied for scholarships. The winners will use the scholarship funds for technical schools, trades, college or university education.

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, scholarship winners and their parents will be our guests for the evening. Sponsors and contributors will have the great pleasure of seeing the impact of their support when these students walk up to the stage to accept their scholarships and share their dreams with us. Complimentary photos will be available with C’s Photography during the evening.

kCrystal Apple Awards put the spotlight on educators for their outstanding work this past year. Here are the highlights: For kindergarten–12th grade we will recognize nominees and present awards to the Administrator of the Year, Teacher of the Year and Classified/Support Person of the Year. We will also recognize nominees and present awards to Lower Columbia College Higher Education Teacher of the Year and Higher Education Classified/Support Person of the Year. All these individuals have exhibited excellent service to students, and they were responsible for the creation of unique, significant educational programs here in our community. You will be inspired when we share what they have accomplished!

Pillars of Strength Awards will be given to businesses, nonprofits and individuals. As the nominees are introduced, we will show you why each is deserving of recognition.

For more Awards, see page 3

You will hear how businesses large and small delivered excellence in products, service and growth during the past year. Nonprofits are providing vital services to the community, contributing to our health and well-being, educating our community and collaborating with others in their work.

Each of our hard-working Chamber Ambassadors will be recognized and one will be honored as Ambassador of the Year. All the nominees for Pillars of Strength Awards have added to the economic vitality and quality of life in our area. We’re looking forward to honoring them!

Watch for news and updates about the Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards Banquet.

Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards Banquet

Thursday, May 4 5-8 p.m.

Cowlitz County Event Center

$40 individual – $320 table for eight Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Marlene Johanson, President Heritage Bank

Marc Silva, President Elect Red Canoe Credit Union

Jason Gentemann, Vice President Foster Farms

Lisa Straughan, Past President Express Employment Professionals

Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

Diane Craft Koelsch Communities

Duane Dalgleish

Cowlitz PUD

Rich Gushman Gibbs & Olson

Keenan Harvey City Council, Kelso

Sean Kiffe NORPAC

Nick Lemiere

Edward Jones

Cherelle Montanye St. John/PeaceHealth

John Paul KUKN-KLOG-101.5 The Blitz

Bruce Pollock Bicoastal Media

Ted Sprague

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Michael Vorse

Minuteman Press

MaryAlice Wallis City of Longview Mayor

Dennis Weber

Cowlitz County Commissioner

Pam Whittle

Realty One Group Pacifica

Thank you for welcoming me back as the Interim CEO for the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce. It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks and sleepless too I might add, LOL. I’m doing my best to pick up where Bill left off (maybe a few things slip through the cracks but don’t tell Bill that) and it has been a full month of events. We host Legislative Briefings every Monday morning at 7 and Small Business Boot Camp every Friday morning at 7:30. Our education committee is working hard on grading scholarship applications, sifting through nominations for Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards, as well as preparing for the upcoming banquet in May. The Building Bridges Business and Tourism Expo made a comeback with a very successful Business After Hours following. And let’s not forget our Executive Board and Board of Directors meeting every month to set policy and make sure the Chamber is a well running organization.

My point is, as Chamber members I hope your taking advantage of your membership to the fullest. There are so many ways to get involved be it a committee, networking event, continuing education or raising funds for scholarships. If your limited on time but still need your name and your business out in the public eye, we have numerous ways to advertise and promote your services. I first joined the Chamber back in 1996 when I had a small event planning business and the Chamber changed my view of Longview, Kelso and the community and the way I was doing business. I made so many contacts and they encourage me to get involved and yes, my business grew but I gained so much more. Soon those contacts were acquaintances then friends and now relationships that have enriched my life. And look at me now, having the privilege of working for the organization that gave so much to me.

Take advantage of your Chamber membership – what have you got to lose but lifelong success.

Miriam Halliday Chief Executive Officer