Harbor Stars awards celebrate local businesses, community leaders
HARBOR SPRINGS — The Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce held its 26th annual Harbor Stars dinner event at Holy Childhood Church Tuesday night with a sold-out dinner to celebrate 33 nominees.
The event highlights different people in the community and the work they have done for Harbor Springs. There is a public vote to determine the winners for the seven award categories.
Nearly 400 people participated in the voting.
The Chamber President's Award — which goes to a person, business or organization that contributes time and resources to assist in fulfilling the chamber’s mission — went to Harbormaster Mike Johnson, who manages the marina and harbor staff. He assists with “all things boating” in Harbor Springs, often welcoming boaters and answering any questions they may have.
The Blissfest Music Organization, Harbor Springs Festival of the Book, The Highlands at Harbor Springs, and Little Traverse Sailors were the other nominees.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award was granted to owners of the One Thirty Eight Cocktail Lounge, Steve and Victoria McDiarmid. The lounge has tapas style dining and cocktails, with a patio open for summers where live music is often provided. The lounge has only been open for a little over a year, but keeps a filled patio.
Cindy and Rocky Beydoun of Harbor Ice Cream and Alan Hegedus of Bar Harbor were the other nominees.
Similarly to the previous award, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award goes to someone who has opened a new business or had a big expansion. The award is reserved for someone under the age of 40.
This year, Nichole Hall of Birch Tree Bakery took home the award. Hall's bakery opened earlier this spring and serves bakes goods along with coffees and other drinks. The spot has indoor and outdoor seating options and is right on Main Street.
More:Birch Tree Bakery to open storefront in Harbor Springs
The other nominees were Alexis Murphy of Fox and Hound and Cora Smith Waite of Little Traverse Tileworks.
The Beautification & Architectural Excellence Award is handed out to a business that has worked to improve the beauty of the community through unique design or superior remodeling. This year’s award went to the Harbor Springs Parks and Recreation Committee for their work bringing back winter activities at Kiwanis Park as well as fundraising for the skate park.
Christians Renolda Greenhouse, Kimble + Kimble and McBride Remodeling, Pierson’s Grille & Spirits, and Teddy Griffin’s Roadhouse were all nominated for the award.
Volunteer of the year, an award reserved for someone who had dedicated time and energy to local events, went to Alivia Murphy, a resident who has worked with the Ram Boosters board for three years. As a member of the board, she leads an annual golf tournament raising funds for the athletics programs, manages the booster club's social media accounts, and serves as a member of the group’s scholarship fund committee.
The other nominees were Jerry Adams, Sally Crowley, Scott Langton, Dana Mulder and Cynthia Zumbaugh.
The Marty Van De Car Community Ambassador award went to Farming for Our Future of the Habor Springs Farmers Market, hosting vendors and specialty food items on Main Street from May to October. The market is a place for community members to get out of the house and listen to music, support local businesses, growers and craftspeople, and socialize.
The award is given to a person or group that shows their enthusiasm for the community, and through their fondness for the community, inspires others to enhance the community as well.
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The other nominees for the award were Liz Ahrens, Bill Mulder, Scott Reiss and the resort communities of Birchwood, Harbor Point, L’Arbre Croche, Menonaqua, Roaring Brook and Wequetonsing.
The final award — Outstanding Citizen of the Year — is granted to a person that has shown a lifetime's worth of contributions for the betterment of Harbor Springs and the surrounding area.
This year’s award went to Tom Trautman. Trautman is a longtime coach of the Harbor Springs Middle School Ski Team, was formerly president of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, is the commodore for the Little Traverse Yacht Club, and competes in yacht racing. He also served as an equipment representative for the ski industry while continuing to volunteer for the community in different areas.
John Baker, Al Dika, Jim Hart and Nancy Rondel were all nominated for the award as well.
— Contact education reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com or on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Stars awards celebrate local businesses, community leaders
