Celebrate Lake City Voting 2023
Celebrate Lake City 2023
Cast your vote for Lake City citizen and organization of the year!
Read through the nominees and vote through the link at the bottom of the page.
Citizen of the Year: Qualifications: Any individual community member who has done recognizable good in the community in 2022.
Citizen of the Year Nominees:
• Jason Santos is an exceptional individual who has truly dedicated himself to improving the community. The amount of effort he puts into volunteering at various events such as bingo, 4th of July, hikers dinners, game nights, and more is truly inspiring. Jason’s selflessness and devotion to making Lake City a better place is something that we should all strive to emulate. He is a shining example of what it means to be committed to serving others.
• Christian Hartman is a prominent member of the Lake City community, known for his work ethic and dedication to helping others. He is actively involved in various outdoor activities, such as rock and ice climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking. Additionally, he is a devoted family man and has raised exceptional children who are also contributing positively to their community. Christian’s strong sense of community is evident in his volunteer work with Search and Rescue, his efforts to help the elderly and those who live alone, and his involvement in the hiker shuttle program. He is a humble man who lives by his faith and deserves recognition for his contributions to the community.
• Kelly Elkins has served on the sheriff’s department reserves for the last 3 years, he has assisted calls and helped with security on events. He also drives the ambulance for EMS and is the muscle to help move patients. He will also be taking the emt class in January to join the team as a basic EMT. Along with that, he has coached the middle school boys basketball team for 4 years with no plans to stop. Kelly will drop whatever he is doing to help and serve this community. He is the definition of a silent servant. I would love to celebrate him for all he does!
• Sarah Eby spends countless hours teaching, prepping, taking grad courses and coaching students all year long. She wades through challenges with grace & professionalism. She supports her colleagues at a moment’s notice, whether in their personal lives or at school. She goes above and beyond in her coaching roles. She is such an asset to our community! Sarah has been on the historic committee and involved in the arts center outside of her professional life.
• Mary Nettleton is a fixture in Lake City, and all who know her speak of her gentle kindness and caring spirit. She has volunteered every Friday for 25 years to read with the children of Lake City School, and is beloved by all as a warm, safe and non-judgmental mentor. Mary is known for her generous donations of baked goods to many charitable events, always eager for a way to help out. She has served on many Hinsdale County Boards, currently on the Lodging Tax Board. Many know that Mary runs a bed and breakfast and serves as a welcoming ambassador for Lake City for our ice climbers as well as summer guests. What most don’t know is that Mary uses her B&B profits to support numerous charitable causes in Lake City. Lake City wouldn’t be such a wonderful place without our dynamo Mary.
• Lydia McNeese not only takes care of the stray animals she also helps folks with their current pets. Lydia steps up and helps community members in need as with a recent situation with a local who needed help with their children, pets and their household for several weeks. Lydia has the traits of a person that cares from humans to animals and Lake City is very lucky to have her and her family as members of this community.
Organization of the Year: Qualifications: Any community or non-profit organization that has done recognizable good in or for the community in 2022.
Organization of the Year Nominees:
• Lake City Arts is a fantastic organization that deserves to be recognized as organization of the year. Their amazing winter programming and creative events for the community have been truly outstanding. Their dedication to bringing art and culture to Lake City is truly inspiring, and they always go above and beyond to make sure everyone feels welcome and included. Whether it’s a holiday sing along, an art class, or a community play, Lake City Arts always manages to bring people together and create a sense of joy and connection.
• The Town of Lake City deserves recognition for their outstanding contribution to the winter economy with their incredible expansion of the ice climbing wall. Their efforts have brought in a significant increase in tourism and revenue, providing a boost to the local economy. Their dedication and commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable winter experience for their community and visitors are truly commendable. The expansion of the ice climbing wall has not only added an exciting adventure to the winter season but has also attracted climbers from all over the country. The Town of Lake City has truly outdone itself and deserves recognition for their hard work and dedication.
• Hinsdale County Animal Rescue Enterprises (HCARE) has been providing welfare and rescue to pets of residents and visitors to Lake City and Hinsdale County for 24 years. Led by Lydia McNeese and Elaine Gray, with a bevy of volunteers, HCARE steps in whenever needed to help in situations where pets have been lost, injured, abandoned, or need rescue. HCARE and their volunteers deserve to be acknowledged and recognized for decades of care to the pets of our community.
