Annual awards highlight Parkrose business fête

Find out who received the Parkrose Business Association’s top awards – and see the highlights of their annual Holiday party – right here …

Marsha Grabinger and Alison Stoll check in guests at the Parkrose Business Association Holiday Banquet.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Salons at the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel was the location of the 2012 Parkrose Business Association (PBA) Holiday Banquet and Awards, on the evening of December 7.

As in past years, the event was filled with activities, including a silent auction, a performance of the Parkrose High School Debonairs, a three-course buffet dinner, and the annual awards.

Tom, who formerly served members of the Parkrose Business Association at the now-closed Steamers Restaurant, and who now works at the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel, serves as the event’s “mixologist”.

Karen Taylor of Mary Kay Cosmetics offers Terry Brier from Davey Tree Expert Company and Wendy Briar the opportunity to guess the number of jelly beans in the jar – a game supporting the organization’s scholarship fund.

PBA President Michael Taylor welcomed guests to the party, and reminded participants to “bid freely” on the wide variety of silent auction items – because the money raised goes to Parkrose Business Foundation’s Parkrose High School Scholarship.

Parkrose High School vocal instructor Lesley Bossert leads the a capella singing Debonairs in cheery, Holiday melodies.

Bob Brown of Bob Brown Tires, and Jason Zwick, a State Farm Insurance Agent, check Silent Auction bids.

Guests serve themselves at the Holiday buffet table.

Awards galore
Michael Taylor asked immediate Past PBA President David Ableidinger of Parkrose Hardware to join him at the podium in front.

“One of the benefits of being PBA President,” Taylor said, “Is that you get to choose members to recognize for the good work they’ve done on behalf of the organization.”

PBA President Michael Taylor tells Alison Stoll, Marsha Grabinger, Mary Brown, Terry Brier, Wayne Stoll, and Gail Bash, that they have been selected as 2012 PBA President’s Award winners.

Mark Eves, of Mark W. Eves P.C. Law Firm “rings the bell” for the Salvation Army, and collects $641 from the membership – which he then matches, for a total donation of $1,282.

Throughout the evening, guests dined on fresh salads and fruit, steamed vegetables, seasoned fingerling potatoes, creamy chicken with grapes, and roast beef – and many availed themselves of second helpings. After the buffet closed, the dessert table remained open.

“It was an unusual year,” Taylor said. “We had the services of two great members who served as president this year. Will Judy Kennedy and David Ableidinger please come forward?”

PBA President Michael Taylor presents to Judy Kennedy of Pacific Northwest Federal Credit Union and to David Ableidinger their Outgoing Presidents Gavels.

PBA Past-Presidents served as the evening’s Game Show Hosts – Gordon Boorse of Compaction and Recycling Equipment holds the 50/50 Cash Drawing Basket, while Wayne Stoll of Argay Square draws the lucky ticket …

… and, after assuring the audience that the drawing isn’t rigged – Mary Brown of Bob Brown Tires is drawn as the 50/50 Cash Drawing winner. She promptly donates the $87 to the PBA Scholarship fund.

At intervals throughout the evening, Gordon Boorse proctored door prize drawings – always a highlight of PBA events. In the end, 25 guests walked away with great prizes – ranging from Brier’s fresh honey, to collectable miniature cars, to “Macadamia Madness” chocolate candy.

The awards, please …
Finally, it was time to present the organization’s two top awards.

2012 Karl F. Lind Award

Mark Eves, the winner of the 2011 Karl F. Lind Award, presents this year’s award to Mary Brown.

Presenting the 2012 Karl F. Lind Award, Mark Eves called Mary Brown forward and told why she was selected for the honor.

“We are very proud to announce that Mary Brown has been awarded the Karl F. Lind Award for 2012.  It is difficult to find someone in the Parkrose community who has given more and asked for so little in return.

“With her husband Bob, Mary Brown has operated Bob Brown Tire Center at 12030 NE Sandy Blvd in the Parkrose community for 36 years.  Over those years, Mary has been involved in almost every community event taking place in Parkrose.  She has contributed thousands of hours of volunteer time.  She has served 15 years as a director and 13 years as the Secretary of the Parkrose Business Association.  For years, Mary has been a vital part of the selection team which screens and selects the winners of the Parkrose Business Foundation scholarships.

“Mary Brown has added a personal touch to our business community which has been very effective in bringing people together.  She has demonstrated an unusual ability to understand the feelings, needs, and priorities of the members of our community and make them work for the betterment of all.  When conflicts arose, she was the peacemaker.  When work was needed, she was the first in line.  Her strong sense of right and wrong has served as a North Star for the Parkrose community and the Parkrose Business Association.

2012 Artie Johnson Award

Michael Taylor presents the 2012 Artie Johnson Award to Judy Kennedy.

The final award of the evening went to Judy Kennedy. Here’s what Michael Taylor said when presenting the award:

“Judy Kennedy has worked tirelessly over the years for the Parkrose community.  Judy has worked at the front desk at Parkrose Business Association events, greeting people and happily taking our money. She has helped us every year with the PBA silent auction which raises money for the annual scholarships administered by the PBA. In that same vein, Judy also serves on the PBA Scholarship Committee.

“Judy represented PBA on the Centennial Celebration Committee in 2011 and through Pacific Norwest Federal Credit Union (PNWFCU) was a major sponsor of that event.

“Judy was a Board Member of the PBA, then elected Vice President and subsequently rising to the office of President.  She has served Parkrose proudly for many years.

“Judy and PNWFCU have continued to support PBA and the Parkrose community. Judy continues on the Scholarship Committee, the de facto Silent Auction Committee, and she donates to PBA’s ever-popular door prize collection at our monthly meetings – and PNWFCU is a major sponsor of the Parkrose Farmers’ Market.

“Judy is a worthy recipient, and PBA should be proud to have her as one of our members.”

Concluding his remarks, Taylor added, “I know Artie is smiling.”

When all was tallied, the silent auction raised $1,983.

Meet the PBA
The Parkrose Business Association meets monthly at the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel. Their next meeting is on January 17.

> On our Front Page: Kelly Brown of Bob Brown Tires and Andrea Holzner toast the holiday season

© 2012 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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