Photos by Jeff Laydon, Pagosa Photography.
Every year, the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce accepts nominations from the public to honor people and organizations in our town that bring so much to the success and vibrancy of our community. Successful businesses and non-profit agencies add economic value and services that our community depends on. The Volunteer and Citizen of the Year nominees and award winners contribute countless hours of time and often financial support to the betterment of the lives and services offered to county residents.
The awards were presented following a series of informational presentations by the Town of Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, and the new Main Street Program.
The Non-profit of the Year nominees were Aspen House and Aspen Services, and Vets for Vets, with the non-profit winner chosen being Vets for Vets. Aspen House has been in service 7 years and was created to help people with developmental disabilities obtain a valuable job with wages to help become independent. They manage two subsidiary businesses: PS Froyo, and The Truffle Company.
Winning the Non-profit of the Year was Archuleta County Vets for Vets. This organization was started in 2010 with 12 members to help tackle the problem of suicide prevention and bring mental health services to veterans here in Archuleta County. Now with over 220 members, they provide direct aid to veterans for a wide range of services. This complete volunteer organization helps pay for services for veterans including utilities, car repairs, rents or mortgages, medical services, prescriptions and much more. The group also acts as an outreach groups which contacts shut-in and veterans living in remote areas on a regular basis assisting in prescriptions and groceries and transportation services to medical appointments locally and regionally. Their weekly meetings also provide a forum for participants to share and connect and the monthly breakfast is often one the times vets feel they can connect with others.
The Small Business of the year nominees were Two Old Crows and Rosie’s Pizzeria. Two Old Crows has grown their business from one gallery to two and is a major supporter of so many organizations in the community. The gallery not only has a beautiful and creative artistic space, but it strives to promote Pagosa as an art community and destination and supports local artists. Under the ownership of Evelyn Tennyson, Two Old Crows has fostered artists and supported employees through myriad benefits and wage scale.
Winning the Small Business of the Year was Rosie’s Pizzeria. Having bought the business almost 4 years ago, Rosie’s has doubled its size and expanded to provide a larger seating area and better take-out and waiting areas while supporting local artists in their decor. Rosie’s was the first business to purchase an outdoor eating tent and work through the challenges of keeping it clear of snow during the COVID times. This 100% family-owned business by Kirk and Audrey Bliss focuses on employee retainment offering above-the curve wages, flexible schedules and benefits that run “outside the box”. They created, with the Ruby M. Sisson Foundation, the “Pagosa Restaurant Week” bringing attention to local restaurants and developing creative fare for this event while helping non-profit organizations, which should rotate in the upcoming years.
The Volunteer of the Year nominees all give of their time and talents unselfishly. Spearheading or working at fundraisers, attending meetings, connecting community and so much more is the norm for all the nominees. These nominees include Shelley Low whose work with Archuleta Seniors, Inc is bringing much needed attention to the needs of our senior population.
If you have a child in school, then the name of Aubrie Limebrook is one that is spoken with great reverence. From serving on the Seeds of Learning board, to working on the Booster Club for over 10 years to being a leader with Parents in Education (PIE), Aubrie is a powerhouse working with youth and parents alike.
This year’s winner is Barbara Swindlehurst whose volunteering contributions seems boundless. She has sat or currently sits on multiple boards including the Board of Realtors where she spearheads the Bucks for Bikes program, Habitat for Humanity, the new Main Street Program and Women Helping in Pagosa (WHIPS). Programs through her church such as Trunk or Treat and the First Responder celebrations are the recipients of her generosity and hard work. Pine Ridge Nursing Home, the GGP and Relay for Life have also benefitted by her outreach and contributions of time and money. One nomination form said it best, “Decades of service wherever she is needed”.
The Citizen of the Year has a small but distinctive difference from Volunteer of the Year. The person must have made a contribution to the community in one of the following ways: economic, cultural, philanthropic, or lifestyle. This year’s nominees included Veronica Medina and Shelley Low, who are no strangers to giving of their time and energy.
The winner of this year’s Citizen of the Year award is Lisa Scott who has been a resident of Pagosa for almost 25 years. She was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award in 2004. Not resting on those laurels, Lisa has enmeshed herself with the community on so many levels. The boards she has served on are almost too lengthy for this article; however, some include The Western Heritage Event Center, Healthy Archuleta, Rotary, the El Pomar Foundation representing Archuleta County and she is a 4-H leader. Some of her former boards include the Mary Fisher Medical Foundation, the Archuleta County Fair Board, Archuleta County Education Center, United Way and many, many more. Mrs. Scott is also the current national president for the Pi Beta Phi sorority and the founder of the local chapter in 2000. Lisa has given to this community philanthropically, culturally and through her constancy of protecting the western heritage lifestyle of this area.
All of this year’s nominees – as every year – are deserving and should be recognized for their efforts. As difficult as the decision is, a winner is chosen in each category. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners and nominees and extending our thanks to them for all of their service and selfless commitments.
Mary Jo Coulehan is Executive Director of the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, and also serves on a number of local and state boards.