Nominations sought for Sisters awards

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations through December 30 for the annual Chamber awards. The Chamber presents the Sisters Country Business of the Year, the Sisters Country Citizen of the Year, Sisters Country Nonprofit of the Year, and Sisters Country Volunteer of the Year awards to the most deserving individuals and businesses.

The Chamber is announcing a new award: 2010 Customer Service Award. All five will be awarded at the Chamber's 2011 Annual Black & White Ball held on February 4, 2011.

This past year The Nugget Newspaper was honored with the 2009 Business of the Year award. The Nugget Newspaper works hard to represent the Sisters Country throughout the year and through its publications. The 35,000 copies of the Sisters Oregon Guide that The Nugget produces and distributes throughout the state showcase all of the Sisters Country's best assets to visitors and locals alike.

Jen and TR McCrystal were honored as the Sisters Country Citizens of the Year in 2009. The McCrystals run the award-winning Jen's Garden and Thyme at FivePine. In addition to their business pursuits, TR and Jen contribute time, energy, and oftentimes fundraising dinners for a variety of nonprofits in the Sisters Country.

Sisters Kiwanis was the winner of the 2009 Nonprofit of the Year, and John Rahm was the recipient of the 2009 Volunteer of the Year award.

All five awards require the nominees to provide outstanding service to the community, unique leadership characteristics, and contributions to a civic/community project or event throughout 2010. Business of the Year nominees must be a Chamber member to be eligible; Chamber membership is preferred but not required for the remaining four awards.

Nomination forms are available at the Chamber office at 291 E. Main Ave. or online at http://www.sisterscountry.

com. All forms are due to the Chamber office by Friday, December 30, at 4 p.m. and can be mailed, faxed, e-mailed or hand-delivered.

The selection committee will consist of previous award recipients and one Chamber Board representative. All award winners are kept confidential until the Chamber's Annual Black & White Ball on February 4.

For more information contact Erin Borla at the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce at 541-549-0251 or [email protected]

sisterscountry.com.