Distinguished Citizens
1962-63 C.A. Fredrickson
1964 Don Hardy
1966 Ralph Printz
1968 Karol Smith
1970 Joe Chapman
1971 Stanley Blunt
1972 Lee R. Blackwell
1973 Curtis Lowry
1974 Fr. Justin McKearnon
1975 Virginia Blunt
1976 Gus Stansell
1977 Olus Embry
1978 Clara Sonneland
1979 John McPherson
1980 Elvira Brown
1981 Clarence Canterbury
1982 A.J. Cronk
1983 Frank Romanick
1984 David Palmer
1985 Eric Domroese
1985 John Griffin
1986 Robert Harber
1987 Don Packard
1988 Alice Jurjovec
1989 George Turner
1990 Darryl Biggerstaff
1991 Ruth Stimack
1992 William Jackson
1993Tom Ledbetter
1994 Ruth Carter
1995 William Simpson
1996 Linda Carlson
1997 Ed Norden
1998 Melodi Tezak
1999 Judy Lohnes
2000 Lavelle Craig
2001 Debbie Brixey
2002 Larry Weaver
2003 Sandi Allen
2004 Paula Sheagley
2005 Myron Smith
2006 Bob DiRito
2007 Mike & Cathie Merlino
2008 Kathy Herrin
2009 Gloria Stultz
2010 Mike Bandera
2011 Will Colon
2012 Ed Tezak
2013 Becky Walker
2014 Jim & Jolene Meisner
2015 Dave & Lynda Lambert
2016 Larry Oddo
2017 Dave Reynolds
2018 Mary Chamberlain
Chamber of Commerce Awards/Recognitions
2018 Distinguished Citizen Award: Mary Chamberlain
2018 Prospector of the Year Award: Misty Barnes
2018 Member of the Year: Cañon City Daily Record
Retiring Board Members: Mike Bandera, Jerry Horton, Gerald Meloni and Doug Rae
President: Karl Wurzbach
Vice President: Sheri Trahern
Incoming Board Members: Robert Hutchinson, Dennis Podzemny, Sharanne Rothenbucher and Mary Yang.
She’s an advocate for Fremont County, she’s a dedicated volunteer, and she was visibly stunned when she was named the Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Distinguished Citizen.
Mary Chamberlain received the distinctive award during the 131st annual banquet Friday at the Abbey Events Center, but she said it will take a great deal of time for it to truly sink in.
“This is the biggest honor that I can imagine,” she said. “I am overwhelmed, honestly, I never, ever, ever, ever expected this, and I just hope that I can live up to what was said about me.”
When presenting the award, former state senator Kevin Grantham said Chamberlain serves the community by volunteering her time as a historian, promoter and advocate of the history and preservation of the area.
She is president of the Southern Rockies Crossroads of Culture, a five-county group that focuses on the heritage of tourism, she is a member of the Fremont County Heritage Commission, and she is heavily involved Fremont County Stones ‘n Bones.
“Her passion, kindness, warmth and hard work makes her a perfect fit for this 2018 Distinguished Citizen Award,” Grantham said.
Chamberlain taught 31 years in the Florence and Penrose schools before retiring about seven years ago. After her retirement, she continues to go into schools to teach local history, which she enjoys because of the area’s richness and diversity, she said.
“Even if someone doesn’t really like history, there is some part of our history that connects with them,” she said. “The geology and the paleontology — it’s all connected, it’s absolutely amazing. I don’t think people really understand how tremendous of a history we have — world-class history.”
Also during the evening, the Member of the Year award was presented to one of 12 nominees, stemming from a pool of 400 chamber members.
The Cañon City Daily Record was the 15th recipient of this award.
“We all do things — many, many businesses and private people — to help this community, and none of us are looking for a pat on the back, but when that pat on the back comes, it feels good,” said Karl Wurzbach, the newspaper’s publisher. “It feels good, and it feels especially good when it comes from people that you care about.”
Lynda Lambert of Cañon Signature Mortgage presented the award.
“This company is one of the longest-running businesses, going back to the late 1800s, they have become a staple to our community, and they still have a visible past presence on Main Street,” she said. “For decades, this business has witnessed all of Cañon City’s highs and lows and is an anchor to our community. We rely on them for their daily information.”
Lambert said the Daily Record has been a great partner to local nonprofits, businesses and community causes the last several years.
“When the Whitewater Festival was dead in the water, this business and many others stepped up to make sure this great event did not go away,” she said. “The staff of the company also takes on huge endeavors, such as Trunk or Treat and the Home & Garden Show, bringing all types of businesses together.”
She said Wurzbach has been instrumental in reaching out to bond the community.
“At the end of the day, working with the Daily Record feels more like a partnership,” Lambert said.
“This team is incredible,” Wurzbach said. “I have more fun here and I have met so many great people here in this community, and I wouldn’t trade this staff for anything in the world.”
He said two of the business’ top goals are to offer fair and balanced news coverage and support the community and its nonprofits.
“We won’t change from that as long as I am here,” he said.
The Daily Record started in 1873. One of its earliest owners and publishers was Guy U. Hardy, who also was the chamber president from 1916-1918.
Hardy’s great-grandson, Duncan Hardy, was the fourth generation of Hardys to attend and speak at the banquet. Duncan Hardy’s father, David Hardy, was president of the chamber in 1972 and the publisher of the Daily Record. His grandfather, Don Hardy, was the 1964 Distinguished Citizen and also the newspaper’s publisher.
Hardy thanked Wurzbach for carrying on the tradition and legacy of the Daily Record.
Also Friday, Misty Barnes was awarded the Prospector of the Year for her commitment, dedication, loyalty and hard work.
To see more photos from Friday’s event, see page 6A.
Carie Canterbury: 719-276-7643, canterburyc@canoncitydailyrecord.com