Based on community nominations, award recipients were decided by a committee of community members. Presenters included Tim Navarre, chief of staff for Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor John Williams; Milli Martin, who represents the southern peninsula on the borough assembly; Homer Mayor Jim Hornaday; Anchor Point Assistant Fire Chief Bob Craig; Jill Stanley Wright, a teacher at Chapman School; and R. J. Austin, president of the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce.
Youngest to receive an award was Richard Twing, 16, who was honored as Youth of the Year. Twing and his family, including parents Michael and Shelley Twing, moved from Chugiak to the Kenai Peninsula eight years ago.
“He’s a special-needs kid who has never let his obstacles get in his way, he is graduating a year early from Ninilchik High School and he has won medals in the Special Olympics,” said Joann Collins, chamber spokesperson.
Twing has won four Special Olympics medals — two gold, one silver and one bronze — in bowling.
“It’s the bowling program out of Homer, which is absolutely fabulous,” said his mother, Shelley, adding that Richard also is the youngest member of the Black Sheep Squadron, an archery group on Elmendorf Air Force Base, and has won awards in that role.
Dividing his schooling this year between home and Ninilchik High School, Richard, who was born with cerebral palsy, will graduate this spring. After graduation, he has plans to open his own business, restoring classic trucks and cars.
“So many people have put in time to help him achieve,” Shelley Twing said. “The schools have been incredible and made him feel like family. We’ve been really happy we moved down here.”
Joey Allred was named Senior Citizen of the Year. In addition to serving on Anchor Point Senior Citizens board of directors, Allred has served on the chamber board and the south peninsula parks advisory board.
“He goes out and helps people without ever expecting anything in return,” Collins said. “We’re just really lucky to have him in Anchor Point.”
Citizen of the Year award was presented to chamber president R. J. Austin
“If he knows somebody is in need or ill, he’s there to do things for them,” Collins said. “He has helped build cabins, does woodworking that he donates to different raffles, works with the chamber and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was instrumental in getting the (VFW) men’s auxiliary started,” Collins said. “He’s just really quiet about it and doesn’t want any big hoorah or thanks. He just does it because it needs to be done.”
Austin, who has lived in Anchor Point since 1981, was totally surprised by the award, which he considers the most important one he’s received.
“Probably the second highest award on my list would be coming in second place at the Alaska EMT skill competition in Anchorage in 2000,” Austin said.
Anchor Angler, owned by Stan Harrington, was named Business of the Year for its long-standing support of the community, activities for kids, sponsorship of Kids All-American Fishing Derby and participation in local fishing fairs.
Employee of the Year was a two-way tie between Jeff Mishler of Anchor River Tesoro and Randie Adams of Anchor River Inn.
“It came down to customer service and they’re really good at it,” Collins said.
The Golden Deed Award went to organizers of the Memorial Weekend Family Fun Festival, with Ann Bayes accepting the award. Beautification awards went to the Anchor Point Senior Citizens in the nonprofit category, Tom and Chevonne Clark in the residence category and Mariner’s Cabin B&B in the business category.
Christmas lighting awards were given to Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce in the nonprofit category, Bruce Babbitt in the residence category and Trails Inn Realty in the business category.
Coming up in Anchor Point:
Saturday: Cabin Fever Variety Show sponsored by the Anchor Point Public Library. Lulu Small is this year’s headliner. Raffle of a Norman Lowell painting and a silent cake and pie auction are part of the event which begins at 7 p.m. at Chapman School.
Feb. 23-26: Anchor Point Snow Rondi, organized by the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce. The schedule will be finalized the first week in February.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
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