For almost 50 years the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce has been
recognizing beyond-the-call-of-duty commitment to the city and its
people with a Showcase Award.
For almost 50 years the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing beyond-the-call-of-duty commitment to the city and its people with a Showcase Award.
The 2005 award winners continue the tradition. Ruby King was named Woman of the Year; George Chiala, Man of the Year; Debra Wright Tawney, Educator of the Year; Pedrizzetti Winery, Business of the Year; and Jean Ferrara, Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
King belongs to, and serves, most of Morgan Hill’s organizations. She is a member of the many local orgazations. As well as being a very active member of each organization, King volunteers for several charitable organizations, including Reachout at St. Catherine’s Church. She retired from the Morgan Hill School District after 44 years of service.
Chiala owns and operates George Chiala Farms but finds the time to give unselfishly in time and resources, trying to improve his community. Chiala, too, works with many, many organizations.
El Toro Elementary School teacher Debra Wright Tawney volunteers in many ways including working on community fundraisers, spending hours and hours with youth groups and helping with award banquets. A graduate of Leadership Morgan Hill, she is an active participant on many community-based committees
Tawney has been recognized for the development of the school Science Fair and acts as a District Science Liaison.
Ed and Phyllis Pedrizzetti’s winery, in business since 1913, has won many awards over the years but also spend time helping the Kiwanis Club, Santa Clara Valley Wine Growers, Children’s Home Society and IDI.
The Pedrizzettis, with their daughter Janie and her husband, Bob, help to make life in Morgan Hill enjoyable by donating their wine, landscaped event area, staff or money to worthwhile causes.
When the winery on San Pedro Avenue was damaged by fire, the family came back with a “can-do” attitude to rebuild the business.
While most Showcase Award winners are nominated by their friends and acquaintances in the community, the Chamber staff chooses the Chamber Volunteer of the Year.
Farrara has volunteered with the Chamber for at least eight years, longer than anyone in the office can remember. She appears faithfully every Wednesday, filing, organizing the member kiosk and correlating the Membership Newsletter.
Farrara also volunteers for the Chamber’s September effort, the Taste of Morgan Hill, arriving early and staying late. She keeps the staff and visitors amused with welcome jokes and stories.
The Showcase Award winners were chosen from many nominees by a team of Chamber members and staff: Laura Brunton, Chair, Janie Knopf, Lou Mirviss, Karen Tarp, Myles Taketa, Garrie Bryant and Christine Giusianna.
The 2005 Showcase Morgan Hill Awards Dinner takes place Saturday, Jan. 22, 6pm, at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road, in the Hiram Morgan Hill Room. The cost is $79 per person.
The evening will begin with a champagne reception with silent auction and entertainment, followed by a gourmet three-course dinner and presentation of awards. Invitations are available at the beginning of December in the Chamber office, located at 17450 Monterey Road in the Downtown.
