Chamber Chatter: And the Nominees Are…

Posted on by Tillamook Chamber

Chamber Chatter: And the Nominees Are…

By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a business, project, or citizen. We were thrilled with the entries that came in, along with letters of support from all over the community. Our selection committee has their work cut out for them!

And now, without further ado, the nominees are:

In the category of Large Business of the Year:

  1. Pacific Seafood. With 75 years of experience, Pacific Seafood continues to specialize in bringing its customers high-quality seafood, while giving back to the communities it serves in way of jobs, donations, and opportunities.
  2. Zweifel Custom Farming. From hauling manure, to running a dairy cow daycare, to bailing 13,000 round hay bails each summer, Zweifel Custom Farming rents and owns 300 acres and works hard to make things a little easier for our county’s dairy farmers.

In the category of Small Business of the Year:

  1. Tillamook County Pioneer. The brainchild of the late LeeAnn Neal, the Tillamook County Pioneer has become a widely respected and reliable online news source for Tillamook County, bringing us daily news that is free to read.
  2. E&E Auto Body Inc. Family owned and operated, E&E Auto Body Inc. has been providing reliable and high quality automotive and auto body repair services since 1975.
  3. La Tea Da Tea Shop. Since 2001, co-Proprietors Terry Mizée and Suzanne Petty have created a unique experience in the heart of Tillamook, attracting visitors from across the world (as well as many loyal local customers) to experience the “tea life” and enjoy an exquisite gift shop.
  4. Garibaldi Portside Bistro. A newer addition at the Port of Garibaldi, this family restaurant specializes in creating affordable, mouth-watering culinary creations that use locally-sourced products and ingredients.
  5. Sunflower Flats. Family owned for 15 years, Sunflower Flats is a full-service, all-occasion florist that specializes in creating unique wedding and funeral designs and offers county-wide delivery. Their downtown gift shop is well stocked with home décor, garden and gift selections, local artists, candles, cards and much more.
  6. YoTime Frozen Yogurt. It’s hard to believe Yo Time only opened in June, and since then has become a family-friendly gathering place for birthday parties, after-hour school functions, and other community events, all while offering a refreshing treat loved by visitors and locals alike.

In the category of Developmental Project of the Year:

  1. Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Active in three other counties, Helping Hands branched into Tillamook County just over a year ago when they bought the Naval Command Center at the Port of Tillamook Bay and renovated it to serve as an emergency shelter. Since last April they have served more than 200 individuals.
  2. Garibaldi Apartments/ Paul Daniels. After selling his commercial fishing business to Pacific Seafood, Paul Daniels decided to reinvest his funds into the community by building the Garibaldi Apartments. This 18-unit apartment complex is the only new affordable-housing development in our county.
  3. Sheltered Nook Tiny Homes. Already an established Bed & Breakfast, Sheltered Nook has evolved into six tiny cabins, creating a unique vacation perfect for those who are looking to explore the tinier side of life. Sheltered Nook is also home to the only Disc Golf course between Newport and Astoria.
  4. Pelican Brewing Co. To meet the growing demand, Pelican Brewing Company constructed a 14,000-square-foot bottling/packaging facility next to the Tillamook Tap Room, allowing them to increase their production from 60 cases an hour to 300 cases an hour – making Pelican the second-fastest growing beer brand in Oregon in retail beer sales.

In the category of Citizen of the Year:

  1. Jerry Dove. Founder and President of the Tillamook Anglers, Jerry Dove has been instrumental in the management of the Whiskey Creek Volunteer Salmon Hatchery, as well as educating youth about the reproduction and care of our local fisheries.
  2. Evelynn Von Feldt. When you reflect on the work that the Tillamook County Master Gardeners has accomplished, it is hard not to think of Evlynn VonFeldt, who has dedicated her time not only to the Master Gardeners, but the Tillamook County Farmers Market, and OSU Extension as well.
  3. Roger Weeks. As the Principal and General Manager of Tillamook Motor Co., Roger has been instrumental in its growth over. Under Roger’s leadership, the dealership has continued to expand both its new and used car lots and has increased the garage’s capacity to serve all manners of cars.
  4. Dee Dee Haliski. Dee Dee is a nurse for Adventist Hospice, where she has provided care and comfort for hundreds of patients and their families. She is a resource for our elderly residents and an advocate for services that improve their quality of life.
  5. Connie Green. President of Tillamook Bay Community College since 2010, Connie Green has been an integral part of our community, serving on a variety of boards, committees, and of course most recently building the Partners for Rural Innovation Center on Third Street as a way to connect more resources in our county.
  6. Nick Troxel. Tillamook Police Detective Nick Troxel continues to be a positive figure in our community, particularly with youth and high school students. He participates each year in Shop with a Cop; is an active Rotarian who helped implement their Flag Program; and is on the Board of Directors for Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers.

The winners of each category will be announced at our annual Chamber Banquet on January 14th. To purchase a ticket, contact the Chamber at 503-842-7525 or email info@tillamookchamber.org.