Kyle Anderson named Citizen of the Year at Chamber Community Service Awards

DAYTON–Outstanding individuals and businesses in the community were honored at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Banquet November 9 at the Fairgrounds Pavilion. Some 90 community members attended to applaud the best and brightest as selected by members of the community.

Kyle Anderson was honored as Citizen of the year, presented by 2022 recipient Bette Lou Crothers.

"When you think of the Citizen of the Year, you may be surprised to learn that it's usually the unassuming person who volunteers time or their money or their backs without expectation of a single word of thanks or reward," Crother said. "They show up where and when they're needed and get to work. Community minded, whether at work, on City Council, this winner is always thinking of others, pushing forward to help better our community. That might include dirt digging at the golf course, or moving forward on the new [City of Dayton] Wastewater Treatment facility, or helping to improve baseball and softball fields. And as a member of the Columbia County Dive Rescue, if you ever need rescued, this is the man that you might want to make that dive for you. His commitment and dedication to our community and of all the donate time that we don't realize is why Kyle Anderson has been chose. Citizen of the Year.

"Thank you," Anderson said. "I was not expecting this. I knew I was being tricked when the wife told me I had to dress nice. Thank you very much. I love working with all of you, every day."

Business of the Year was Locally Nourished, presented by Puget Sound Energy's Anne Walsh. "Selecting the Business of the Year this year was very difficult," Walsh said, "Because in Dayton and Columbia County we have many exceptional businesses.

"There is one business that especially stood out to the community this year," Walsh said. "This business embodied what a business should be: dedicated to their enterprise, to their employees and to their community where they live. Over the past several years, this business has expanded here in Dayton, it has gained employees, so it is growing, it has consistently given back to the community. And what do they bring to the table? (There's the hint.) Unique flavor to Dayton, interesting shopping for locals and tourists, and a friendly and great meeting place that, simply put, is a great café. Unfortunately, they are on vacation and are not here to receive the award: Congratulations, Locally Nourished.

The café was represented by Lolaleah Zoller and Terrisa Churchill, Walker's mother.

Youth Citizen of the Year was presented to Wynter McCauley, a vivacious Dayton High School senior who also writes a column for the Dayton Chronicle.

The award was presented by Trista Villaro, the 2022 recipient. "This award winner is a very hard-working, community-minded young woman," Villaro said. "She is a positive voice for 4-H, FFA, the High School ASB Council and active in school sports. She was also a Columbia County Fair Hostess. Where there is an event, there is this girl. Congratulations, Wyntr McCauley."

"I'm kind of in shock," McCauley said. "This is a surprise to me. My family brought me here on a surprise. I fully had no idea what was happening. I just want to thank my community. You guys have made it a great place for me here the past five years. It's been amazing growing here and just watching everything grow around me. I just had amazing opportunities and I so proud to be from Dayton, Washington. Thank you."

City Public Works Director Ryan Paulson was named Employee of the Year, presented by Jennie Dickinson. "When describing an Employee of the Year, you should hear the words dedicated, works tirelessly, pushes to move our community forward, passionate heart and soul," Dickinson said. "Those words describe our Employee of the Year but this person also prizes improve our quality of life. This person doesn't even realize what a difference they have made in our community with their upbeat attitudes and positivity. This person also gives back so much to the community in which he lives. Need a Santa for Christmas Kick Off? Call this guy. (I knew that would tip him off.) When you need something done, like someone to deal with the bad TVTV cable, that would be me calling him, He makes it happen. If you're standing in the middle of the store and you're not quite sure what to purchase to paint on the city streets, give this guy a call. He answers. Congratulations Ryan Paulson."

"I couldn't have done this without everyone's support," Paulson said.

Vikki's Sweet Shoppe was honored ad Start-Up Business of the Year, presented by 2022 recipient, Paige Aukerman. "This business is one of our Main Street businesses that brings a smile to everyone's face," Aukerman said. "Feeling sad? You know where to go. Happy? Probably because you stopped by this business. Need a 'sweet tooth' fix? You guessed it! This place is that place that is just a little bit different than anything Dayton has to offer. And the people who own it have fit right into our community without a hiccup. A because running a business, and remodeling the building next door isn't enough, both are involved with the school. The winner of our Start-Up of the Year is Vikki's Sweet Shoppe."

"We really love being a part of Dayton," Griffin said. "We moved from the Tri-Cities, and try to make this our little home. Our daughter loves it. She loves all the kids in town. Thank you."

The Dayton Kiwanis Club was honored as Non Profit of the Year, presented by Jim Pearson of The Club. "This award is going to an organization that doesn't boast, it doesn't jump up and down and say 'look at what we do.' They just do," Pearson said. "For over 100 years in Dayton, this organization has been devoted to volunteering their time, money and efforts to supporting children and young adults. This organization's motto is "Serving the Children of the World" and that's exactly what they do. Through health and nutrition, education and literacy, when you're at an event and the Kiwanis Club is selling their famous hamburgers, you're helping to support local youth in their endeavors and contributing to the well-being of children around the world. It is my great pleasure to announce Dayton Kiwanis Club as the Non Profit of the Year.

Member Joe Huether reminded the audience that the annual Turkey Bingo event is coming up, "one more event for Dayton where we bring in about three or four hundred people from all over, and I'm getting calls already from the gals in Idaho who bring three or four carload of people with them. It's just wonderful to be here. Thank you very much. We just do whatever we can, and we can always use more members."

Mike Ellsworth was named by the Chamber as Dayton's Humanitarian of the Year.

"This person is altruistic, charitable, generous, compassionate and very sympathetic," said Crothers. "He doesn't ask 'how I can help,' or 'what can I do,' he sees what needs to be done and he makes it happen. He does it quietly, and without fanfare. He saves a life, but he just sees it as helping a friend or someone who's just in need. I want you to know that this person has save two lives in Dayton this year by getting immediate medical help, volunteering many hours helping to improve their living conditions, financial health, and much more. Mike Ellsworth, could I get you to join me on stage?

"This is a big-time surprise," a choked-up Ellsworth said. "All I can say is I want to thank somebody that you've never met and never will meet: my parents. Because the thing that they said to me that was important is the three words, and you all know the rest of the line: Do unto others... And I ask the rest of you, tomorrow, let's all do unto others. Thank you."