Distinguished citizens honored at annual Chamber of Commerce banquet
By Brielle Kennington
Argus Observer
Sunday, January 13, 2008 3:34 AM PST
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| Ontario businessman and longtime resident George Iseri speaks at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce banquet Friday night at the Four Rivers Cultural Center after accepting his Man of the Year award. |
Ontario - The Ontario Chamber of Commerce honored five local citizens that contribute their time and talent in positive ways at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce annual banquet Friday evening at the Four Rivers Cultural Center.
Ontario businessman and longtime resident George Iseri was named the Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and captivated the audience in his acceptance speech.
“Behind a great man is a supportive wife. He’s still a whiz at fixing anything with moving parts. His ambition is to make life easier for us,” Ontario businesswoman Sharon Wada said, prior to Iseri accepting his award.
Iseri’s health complications two weeks earlier did not hinder his ability to attend the banquet to accept the award he so greatly deserved.
“Two weeks ago, I ended up in a hospital not knowing whether I would be able to make it,” Iseri said.
Iseri told of how he ended up in Ontario after being relocated from his home in western Washington to an internment camp.
“We found a place of welcome here in Ontario,” he said.
Iseri graciously thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the award and then promised to stick around Ontario for a long time.
“There’s no place like Ontario. I hope to be here a long time. You won’t get rid of me yet,” he laughed.
Iseri wasn’t the only citizen awarded that got some laughs. Greg Alexander accepted his award as Educator of the Year with a few chuckles from the audience.
“This is like looking at my seventh-period class,” Alexander joked.
On a more serious note, Alexander went on to thank his family and colleagues.
“The students are the people that motivate me,” he said. “I owe thanks to the staff of the middle school. I’m grateful that I work with a lot of people that bring out the best of me. Thank you, my family.”
Carl Hill, Adrian, accepted his award as Agriculturist of the Year with a speech and many thanks from his heart.
“I want to speak from the heart. There’s gonna be some real challenges ahead,” he said. “We ought to be very vigilant, very careful and very protective. It is an honor to be considered. I’d like to thank the chamber of commerce and the ag committee,” Hill said.
Co-owner of TQ Properties Bob Quinn didn’t think his business did anything different than any other business in the community, but he certainly did something right to be awarded the Business of the Year.
“I never dreamed I was going to be in hospitality,” Quinn said. “If you take care of your guests and you take care of your employees, the bottom line will take care of itself.”
Quinn thanked his family, friends and the Chamber of Commerce for the award and then he recognized specific employees.
“I want to thank my employees for what they do. They are the ones that make me shine,” Quinn said.
After a very long list of things Rita Lewis does to enrich the community, she was able to accept her award as Woman of the Year.
“I do what I do because of all of you to make this community great,” Lewis said.
Lewis was introduced by her friend Debbie Blackaby, who decorated Lewis’s table with a heart theme that described her personality.
“She gives from her heart, and she has a big heart,” Blackaby said.
In addition to successfully honoring this year’s citizens, the Chamber raised $334 through games that were played during the evening.
