“This isn’t an easy job,” Paul Voeller, the chamber’s current president, said as he handed Austin the award.

Addressing the crowd, Voeller added. “You folks have a nice community here. Let’s keep it going and get stronger and stronger.”

2006 Citizen of the Year: Bob Craig

Photographer: McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News Anchor Point’s 2006 Citizen of the Year is Bob Craig, administrator for the Anchor Point Emergency Service Area.

2006 Senior Citizen of the Year: Bob Picard

In 1997, while still a resident of Washington and a pilot for Delta Airlines, Picard bought property in Anchor Point. In 1999, after retiring, he became a full-time Anchor Pointer. Since then, Picard has served as president of the Anchor Point Senior Center, has served on the Anchor Point Emergency Service Area board and was president of Anchor Point Airpark Homeowners’ Association. He also is as a Firefighter I. For more about Picard, see page 8.

2006 Golden Deed Award: Brendan Rider

A student at Chapman School, 13-year-old Brendan was with his baby brother on the afternoon of Oct. 1, when fire broke out in the family home. Having been through training at Anchor Point’s fire hall, Brendan kept his head and knew exactly what to do. He got his brother out of the basement where the two boys were playing, called 9-1-1 for help and did what he could to contain the fire.

2006 Youth of the Year: Mariah Campbell

An eighth-grader at Chapman School, Mariah is an honor roll student, is active in band and choir and vice president of Chapman’s student council. In addition to having her own horse, she also is active in sports and has been involved in basketball and soccer. Through her involvement in the Anchor Point Church of the Nazarene, Mariah will travel to St. Louis, Mo., this summer, for Earth, Wind and Fire, a church youth convention, during which attendees will help build a Habitat for Humanity House and feed 5,000 people for five days.

2006 Business of the Year: Kyllonen Enterprises

Buzz Kyllonen’s history in the area is closely linked with the community’s history, but he also is an integral part of Anchor Point’s present. Kyllonen Enterprises has developed more than 20 subdivisions in the area, including Airpark Estate Subdivision. In 2002, the business purchased the former Roadhouse, remodeled it and turned it into a base for Kyllonen Enterprises, as well as space for the Alaska State Troopers. Most recently, Kyllonen developed Fireweed Meadows Golf Course, adding golf to Anchor Point’s other attractions.

2006 Employee of the Year: Loretta Stapel

Stapel began working for the U.S. Postal Service in the 1970s in Wyoming. She moved to Anchor Point in 1980, and began working at the post office 23 years ago. “We’re very fortunate to have awesome customers,” Stapel said. “This is a great community and the people are all wonderful.” That admiration goes both ways. “She waits on everybody, knows everybody. You don’t even have to ask her, she already knows what you’re wanting half of the time,” said Kathy Kacher, former chamber president.

Holiday lighting awards

• Residential: Mike and Judy Traverse.

• Nonprofit: Anchor Point Fire Hall.

• Business: Black Water Bend.

Beautification awards

• Residential: Anthony Johnson.

• Nonprofit: Anchor Point Baptist Church.

• Business: Fireweed Meadows Golf Course.