Retiring Wrangell teachers Kirk Garbisch and Dave Brown were honored by the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce as Educators of the Year at the annual Chamber dinner on May 11.
The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce held their annual dinner Friday, May 11 at the Nolan Center in an event which featured awards for Educator and Citizen of the Year, a keynote speech by Trident Seafoods’ Dave Hambleton, and a grand prize drawing for derby tickets and a fishing trip.
Chamber office manager Cyni Waddington said attendance at the evening event was a resounding success – and was especially bittersweet thanks to the Educator of the Year Awards.
“We’re so thankful to the community of Wrangell for making this such a special evening,” Waddington said. “It was a big night because our educators of the year, Kirk Garbisch and Dave Brown, were retiring. We honored them with plaques and there was a standing ovation for both of them.”
The Chamber also honored Rick Groshong as their Citizen of the Year for 2012.
“He was very surprised to get the award,” Waddington added.
Police Chief Doug McCloskey, Groshong’s supervisor at the Wrangell Police Department, said his officer – and friend – deserved the award.
“Rick is a good solid guy that donates a lot of time to the community,” McCloskey said. “And the best part is that he has his heart in the right place.”
The grand prize for a pair of salmon derby tickets and a fishing trip with Alaska Charters and Adventures went to Brenda McDowell.
Hambleton, who made the trip from Seattle to attend the dinner, was the guest speaker at the dinner.
“He did an excellent presentation on fish oil and the possibilities for economic growth in Wrangell,” Waddington said.
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