Outstanding citizens soar into limelight
Chamber of Commerce teams up with Jaycees for annual awards banquet
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
The Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce and the Goldendale Jaycees gathered last Thursday night to honor citizens who have made a difference in the community.
American Legion leader Tom Beck was bestowed with the title of Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
Beck, who won a vote cast by about three dozen people, has been involved in the Goldendale Saturday Market, as well as various volunteer efforts and organizations.
“Tom is well-known in the community,” said Len Crawford, Chamber president. “He’s got the nickname, the Singin’ Chef. Tom has been very instrumental in the success of setting up and the success of Community Days. He volunteers. He’s also with the American Legion.”
“He is a great ambassador of goodwill for Goldendale. He’s always got a smile on his face. He’s always got a positive attitude.”
The Chamber designated Ron and Earlene Sullivan as the Outstanding Couple of the Year, in large part for their work with the Goldendale Saturday Market. The couple has been integral in establishing that function, as well as other community activities.
Residents often spot the Sullivans at Goldendale City Council meetings and they are known for keeping current on upcoming events.
“Ron is a real regular down there volunteering at the Chamber office,” said Crawford. “[Earlene] is very supportive of the community of Goldendale. They have a lot of positive things to say about the community. They’re great people. They’re just down-to-earth, everyday kinds of folks. When they say something, you can take their word and they work very hard. I think they’re a real asset to the community.”
Jim Allyn, of Allyn’s Building Center, was named the Chamber’s Outstanding Business Person of the Year.
Crawford said it was due largely to Allyn’s commitment and dedication.
“To me, he’s a great example of a good businessman in Goldendale,” said Crawford. “He’s extremely supportive of the City and the community.
“I can’t remember Jim ever saying no to things that are reasonable and a lot of times he probably says yes to things that are unreasonable. That’s just the kind of guy Jim is…he just believes in Goldendale and does everything he can to see this community prosper.”
The Jaycees gave their Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Employee award to Jeff King, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office’s Search and Rescue (SAR) coordinator.
King, who began as a volunteer in 2001, has given “countless” hours to advanced training, according to colleagues, and has participated in almost every field mission the team has carried out.“
Jeff demonstrated a natural talent not just for the field work, but also in incident command, leadership and vision for the unit,” said Sheriff Rick McComas. “Jeff’s high level of ability, integrity and professionalism resulted in him becoming vice president of the SAR unit.”
McComas noted how the team has grown from seven to 47 members under King’s tenure.
“Jeff King is an outstanding Search and Rescue member, leader, and community citizen,” he said.
The Jaycees’ Outstanding Business Person award went to Matthew and Maren McGowan of the Glass Onion restaurant.
The couple, who opened the Columbus Street restaurant last year, has been an involved part of the business community.
The Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Firefighter was Noah Halm, for his service to the City of Goldendale’s fire department.
The 2006 Goldendale High School (GHS) graduate, who recently became a homeowner at age 20, has helped with food bank collections, parades, and the junior firefighter program.
Marty Hudson, deputy chief with the Goldendale Fire Department, said the third generation firefighter follows in his father and grandfather’s footsteps.
“I wish everyone on the department had his level of dedication,” said Hudson. “I know his grandpa would be proud to see him get this award.”
The Jaycee’s named Scott Gray the Outstanding Young Educator of the Year. The art teacher, who recently transferred from the primary school to the high school, is well-known in the community, according to GHS principal, Clay Henry.
“The quality of projects the kids put forth this year was unbelievable,” said Henry. “We actually have seven students who are showing their work at a gallery in Yakima.
“It’s his passion, his dedication. He lives and he breathes it…he takes the time, the energy, the effort for kids. [He’s a] great guy, great family man, great community member.”
The Jaycees presented Will Sizemore with the Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year award.
Sizemore is following a family tradition in Centerville, farming cattle, wheat, and alfalfa, among other things.
“His reliability and his honesty - he’s always willing to help out the neighbor or help out anybody who needs help,” said neighbor Nate Kayser.The Jaycees’ gave Greg Smith, Klickitat Valley Health’s hospital’s (KVH) supervisor of Diagnostic Imaging, the award for Outstanding Health Care Professional of the Year.
Smith accepted a position with KVH and moved to Goldendale in 2006 with his wife Jessica and daughter Alana.
“Greg is highly skilled in patient care and is adept at performing radiological procedures, registered both in radiography and computerized tomography, said Phil Hanna, KVH interim CEO. “Goldendale and KVH are very fortunate to have such an outstanding, dedicated professional doing his part to ensure exceptional care.”
The Jaycee’s Boss of the Year award went to Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) Sergeant Dale Retzlaff, for his 18 years of service.
The current sergeant of the Goldendale Detachment has served in “many different areas and capacities” during that time, according to WSP’s OA3 Ericka Tremble.
“He is a man that meets every attribute employees could ask for in a supervisor,” said Tremble. “He has proven his commitment to service and strong leadership skills with six Detachment of the Year awards since he has been a sergeant with the Washington State Patrol.”
Dan Lefever was presented with the Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Citizen of the Year award. The 2000 GHS graduate was involved in a fundraising effort last year to take middle school students to Washington DC, where he chaperoned the experience.
Family members said he is the kind of guy who is always helping out on the sidelines.
“He’s always kind of there in the background,” said cousin, Lori Anderson. “he’s very caring, whether it’s our 90-year-old grandma or his half brother who is in the fourth grade, he kind of quietly helps out. He doesn’t want any attention, he just wants to help make things better.”
The Jaycee’s also honored three special businesses: Sentry Market, Smasne Trucking, and Bishop Companies.
A dinner and social hour followed the awards ceremony at the Goldendale Grange Hall.
Goldendale paramedic retires after three decades of service
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
After more than 30 years of service, Goldendale-area paramedic Larry Luloff has retired from his post.
Crews at the Klickitat Valley Health hospital (KVH) threw a celebration last Thursday to honor the emergency medical technician (EMT), who spent three decades helping folks in Klickitat County.
Luloff, who now has two grown kids, first moved to Goldendale in 1975 after taking a job transfer as a driver's license examiner with the State of Washington. He worked as an EMT for years while continuing his job with the state. In his spare time, he was also a volunteer firefighter with the City of Goldendale and part of a rescue dive team. He helped with the county's Emergency Management Council in setting up 9-11 boundaries.
In the 1990s, the paramedic retired from the state department but stayed active with the ambulance service.
He said he has seen a lot change since the early days.
"You didn't have EMTs then," said Luloff of his first years on the job. "It was just basically first responders."
Once he arrived in Klickitat County and got settled, he said he heard about classes being offered in Yakima.
There he received his certification in the 1970s and is now also a certified IV technician.
Luloff said his favorite part of the job was the stories he'd hear from people.
He recalled one man who talked about herding sheep from Walla Walla to Roosevelt.
Hearing from patients after they got better was another thing that kept him going.
"I've had calls at 2 a.m. from a family somewhere in Oregon or California - wherever - thanking me for the treatment. That's the good side."
"Of course there's always the good and the bad of the ambulances," said Luloff. "Some you want to forget."
He said certain traumas and medical situations "stick with you" for a long time, which is the hardest part. The most difficult, he said, were those involving children.
"You put them in the back of your head but every now and then something will trigger it and you'll think about it. That's probably the simplest way of putting it."
Yet in the end, Luloff said most paramedics do what they do because they genuinely want to make a difference. In that sense, it appears Luloff is like the rest of them.
"I think all of us are into it for the assistance we give to the people," he said. "Once it gets in your blood, you just try to help people and that's what it's all about."
Chamber announces leisure fair at Grange
The Greater Goldendale Are Chamber of Commerce will host a Leisure and Lifestyle Fair this week at the Goldendale Grange Hall.
According to organizers, the event will be an opportunity for "hobbyists, organizations, religions, clubs, crafters," and more to come together to network.
"This event is for every hobby, group, organization... from fishing and fitness to quilters and car enthusiasts," said Mindy Blomquist, executive director for the Chamber.
"The goal of this event is to showcase the various groups to the community of Goldendale.
"Please come to this free event and bring a friend," added the director.
The function will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m this Saturday, Mar. 7.
For more information or to reserve a display table, call 773-3400. |
