2004 Community Champion Awards“Celebrating our Community” is an opportunity to celebrate all of the positive things about the Nederland community, and to honor the individuals who made a difference. Five years ago, PPHCP started the Community Champion Awards. People are nominated in 6 categories for these awards. Recipients from the prior year select the winners. Arts & Entertainment Category SCOTT HARRISON – Throughout his 22 years in Nederland, Scott has been carving animals for his Carousel of Happiness. He’s now working on his 34th and last full-size animal for his Carousel. Scott has involved students from Nederland Elementary School in the creation of a black panther for the school’s entranceway, and has regularly brought over individual animals and his huge 1900 band organ for school and town events since the late 1980’s. During the creation of the carousel he has remained director of the Amnesty International USA Urgent Action Program which he has been involved with since 1983. Scott has utilized half a dozen university interns a year and made international human rights presentations to Nederland schools as well as schools and colleges throughout the Denver metro area. Business Category PAUL TURNBURKE – Paul has planted the seeds and grown numerous good works for organizations throughout the Nederland area. He has volunteered countless hours to the Town of Nederland in designing & installing the landscape at Chipeta Park, the Post Office & Presbyterian Church. Other volunteer activities include: Wild Bear Center, Economic Summit Downtown Improvement Group, Walking Community Workshop, Peak to Peak Healthy Communities and Town of Nederland at Chipeta Park renovation, Parks & Open Space Advisory Council, RINK, Nederland Elementary School, Nederland Community Presbyterian Church and Girl Scouts. Community Service Category JUDY ANDERSON – Judy’s tireless work with the Nederland Community Food Bank involves many hours updating records, shopping for food, coordinating with Colorado Food Share, organizing the Food Pantry in preparation for the twice a month food distribution and interviewing clients with her compassionate and caring manner. She is the moderator of the Mission Committee for the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church which has helped with lodging, gas, bus tickets and rent assistance to residents and travelers in our community. CHRIS CURRENT – Chris is a woman who is active in many areas of providing assistance to anyone who may need it. People seeking help somehow manage to find Chris knowing she will do what she can to get what they need, including clothing, medical, dental, housing, transportation, electric and propane. She has been involved with providing Christmas baskets to those in need for approximately 20 years. In addition, she has assisted with the Presbyterian Food Pantry for approximately 12 years and helps there two Thursday mornings each month. She has even written grants and received money (from those grants) from United Way to get food for the Food Pantry and is extremely involved at St. Rita’s. DAVE FELKLEY – Dave has been a low-key dedicated Nederland citizen to whom service, friendship and encouragement to others has meant much to many. His voice has been heard repeatedly giving counsel on issues that were important to the Town of Nederland. He’s been a strong proponent of a Nederland Trail System, Wild Bear Science School, Mud Lake Open Space, Caribou Ranch Open Space, Nederland Mining Museum, Nederland Chamber of Commerce and other public use issues. He has served as head of the Nederland Seniors this past year and has driven many “older folks” to doctor appointments, to get groceries, and has looked in on some every day while their need was great. Most people in town recognize Dave as the MC for our 4th of July celebrations, our Mining event contests, Frozen Dead Guy Day events and many other special events. LAURA FISHER – At Nederland Middle Senior High School, Laura is known as the “volunteer extraordinaire”. She has been active in the Parent Action Group, Parent Open Forum and has headed up the parent fundraising effort for about 8 years. Laura also formed the “Friends of Nederland Secondary School” Group to support Staff and has been the chairperson of this group for the past year. Last spring, then-principal Joni Beall desperately tried to get the school district to budget for a new computer lab for NMSHS. They gave Joni the OK if she could raise $2,500 from the community in about 2 weeks. Laura personally called enough people to get the money requested, plus another $1,000 for a total of $3,500. The school now boasts a new state-of-the-art computer lab. TIM MURPHY – A number of years ago Tim stepped forward as the coach for the Nederland Youth Hockey team. He continues in the role of coaching boys and girls from ages 8 through 11. Over the years Tim has donated hundreds of hours to anyone wanting to show up on the ice, at any skill level. For the past year and a half Tim has been the champion and leader of the RINK (Recreational Ice for Nederland Kids) project. This project is primarily for kids to have a real ice rink in the winter and tennis courts in the summer. He has enlisted a group of people to become the RINK Committee to make the project become a reality. DALE & BETTY PORTER – “No beehive buzzes successfully without the hard work of its worker bees” is an image that first comes to mind of Dale & Betty by one person nominating them. They have both been tireless members and officers of the Nederland Area Historical Society. Dale helps with the nitty-gritty work that keeps the Nederland Community Library running – installing bookshelves, moving books, moving the Library from one wing to another of the Community Center. He works a weekly shift as a Volunteer Librarian, and thanks to Dale’s grant-writing expertise, NCL received funds to hire a consultant to help with planning a new library facility. He not only serves the Library, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce’ Market Analysis team and Secretary of the Community Center Advisory Board. Betty works with the Nederland Area Seniors and was instrumental in keeping their nutrition program from falling apart when the Community Center roof did. She is the former President and long-time member of the NAS Board. She has helped in writing grants for NAS, volunteering in the kitchen, attended both NAS Board meetings and Town Board meetings. Everything she does she does with calm strength & competence. PHILLYS WRIGHT – Phillys is an extraordinary peace activist, neighbor and friend to many diverse people in Nederland. She is a founding member of the Nederland Area Mountain Forum for Peace and has served on its Board for years. Phillys has been active with the Nederland Volunteer Fire Department, the Community Presbyterian Church, worked to support initiatives like the Nederland Seniors and Nederland Community Library. For more than 10 years, Phillys volunteered weekly at the Urgent Action Office of Amnesty International. She has honored her late husband Stan’s memory and spirit by tireless work at the 2 Mountain Forum for Peace gardens creating a gift of beauty for all of us in downtown Nederland. Government Category TOM PLANT – For several years, Tom has represented our Mountain Community in the Colorado House of Representatives. His strong beliefs in environmental concerns have won him accolades and appreciation from the environmental community. His ability to find solutions for difficult issues has brought him a position of leadership in the Joint Budget Committee. Tom is someone who is respected, loved and appreciated. He is sincere, approachable, honest, warm and dedicated to his work and his community. His presence in Nederland has brought great benefits to us all for many, many years. Tom is a shining example of a “public servant”. KEN ROBINSON – Ken has been a tremendous asset to this community since coming here as our Town Marshall. He’s a community activist and is very involved in volunteerism at the local schools including being an after-hours coach for school sports at the Elementary and Middle/Senior schools. He serves on the BVSD Capitol Improvements Committee to help acquire equipment for the schools. Ken has volunteered at the Teen Center, the Nederland Library and he reads children’s books to the kids at Once Again Books on Saturdays. He attends public meetings and puts in many extra hours at work to make this a much safer community for everyone, especially for the children. He recently won an award from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department for promoting and encouraging communication between the Sheriff’s Department and Nederland Police. Ken is a kind-hearted, compassionate, generous member of this community who puts in extra time, support and resources. Youth Category MEGAN HUGHES – Megan has been an outstanding youth leader in the community by becoming an incredible mentor and role model for other youth in Nederland. She pursues this role in her position as Peer Supervisor at the Nederland Teen Center as well as being a volunteer. She can often be found counseling her fellow students at Chinook West when they have a problem regarding school, friends or family. CRYSTAL SKEIE – Crystal has done many wonderful things at the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church. She talked with the Pastor about starting a youth group and was on the committee to begin the search for a new pastor. She has cooked meals for the members of the church who have been ill. Crystal has walked in the Crop Walk for the last 3 years, which is a fund-raiser to help feed the hungry. She is a member of the Junior Honor Society in the 8th grade. As a member, she has been involved with community service. She is currently on the Distinguished Honor Roll. She is in the Chamber Choir, shared the lead in the school musical last spring and was in the fall play. Crystal is enthusiastic, has a positive attitude and has a gentle grace that she brings to all she does. She is an exceptional young woman. Education Category ANNIE STAUFER – Annie’s diligence and passion for teaching makes a difference, not just with her students, but in the whole school as well. As a NMSHS Language Arts teacher for 4 years, Leadership instructor and HS Student Council sponsor for 3 years, she has mentored many uninspired students, transforming them into passionate readers, writers and leaders. She thinks nothing of spending extra time and energy with students, guiding them to reach their full potential. Annie orchestrates school-wide events like Homecoming and the recent “Month of Wellness”. In addition, she has held workshops to assist high school seniors in writing their college essays and has written letters of recommendation for them as well. NANCY VAUGHN – As Principal of Nederland Elementary School, Nancy leads NES with strength and grace. On the Colorado State School Accountability Report, NES has shown continuous academic improvement, progressing from an Average rating in 2002 to a High rating today. Nancy treats each student with respect and dignity, having high expectations for both academics and character. She has an open door policy with parents, being available to answer questions and concerns. Nancy includes her staff in decision making, valuing staff recommendations and opinions. Through her example, the Character Matters Program comes alive. She takes time to make her staff feel special and through her caring touches, shows that she appreciates them all. ED PORRITT – Prior to working with the youth of Nederland, Ed devoted his career to service at-risk students in the greater Boulder area. Hearing of a need for additional educational options in Nederland, he offered his services. He brought to Nederland the Chinook model that he had put into place in Boulder, although he realized that the program would need to be altered to meet the unique needs of our community. He received input from students, staff and community members before making any decisions concerning the form that the program would take. He places much value on collaboration and group involvement. Our community will benefit from his enthusiasm for years to come.
2004 Volunteers That Made A Difference
2004 Life Time Achievement Award Brownlee Guyer and Lois Guyer – Volunteers
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