Late Dot Jess is co-winner

BREWSTER – The Chamber of Commerce honored the 2018 Brewster Citizen and Businesses of the Year at its second annual awards banquet held at Camperos Restaurant last Thursday, March 14.

A call was put out to the community in January for nominees for Citizen of the Year, Large Business of the Year (11 or more employees) and Small Business of the Year (1-10 employees). Voters had until March 2 to get their ballots in to be counted toward the winners.

Nominees for Large Business of the Year included Crane Family Orchards Confluence Health Center, and Brewster Marketplace. Crane Family Orchards won the Large Business award. Crane president Rachel Sullivan accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Small Business of the Year nominees were Mauk Fishing Stuff, Brewster Quick Lube, Coldwell Banker, Boesel Construction, and Ag Supply. Mauk Fishing Stuff won the distinction and owner Mike Mauk accepted the award. In July 2018 Mauk Fishing Stuff was selected as the Washington state representative to attend the Made in America Product Showcase held at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Nominees for Citizen of the Year included the late Dorothy “Dot” Jess, Anna Marie Dalbey, Sabrina O’Connell, Conner Wiggs, and Joe Lopez. Dalbey and Jess were co-winners of this year’s Citizen award.

Joni Parks accepted the award for Jess who passed away on Feb. 14. Jess had just retired from her 27-year tenure as Brewster site director for Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition.