The Accolade Awards Gala, Silverdale Chamber of Commerce’s annual event honoring the best and brightest of the Silverdale and Central Kitsap business community, as nominated by members of the community was held on Sept. 25th at the Red Lion Silverdale Hotel.

The Red Lion Silverdale Hotel sponsor of the Citizen of the Year Award presented the engraved Tiffany platter to Hank Mann-Sykes. He is a long-time community member dedicated to fostering a sense of community in Silverdale.

Mann-Sykes currently serves as the president of the Central Kitsap Community Council and has offered his time and resource for many years to the organization. He is co-chair of the Community Campus Committee and was active in the Vision 2052 process. He has taken on as a pet project, the banners which hang through out the community, tends to the maintenance of them as well as coordinating the hanging throughout the year. He is active in Rotary and works diligently on the Adopt-a-Duck program. He is in all sense an ambassador and champion for the Silverdale community.

Central Kitsap Reporter sponsors the Business of the Year Award, which was presented this year to Silver City Brewery and Restaurant. The nomination acknowledges owners Scott and Steve Houmes for their contributions and efforts in supporting the community through financial and in-kind resources.

Opened in 1996 Silver City has been active in the community in a number of endeavors including Oktoberfest for the Fireman’s Benevolent Fund, St Patrick’s Day for the Pregnancy Resource Center and the annual Favorite Teacher competition. The brewery is a participating venue for the Chamber’s annual Celebrity Waiters event as well as making monthly donations to area food drives and Toys for Tots.

Kitsap Community Credit Union sponsors the Business Pioneer of the Year award, which was presented this year to Keith and Hazel Bogard, long time owners of Bogard’s Silverdale Drug. Opened in August of 1965, it was the first pharmacy in Silverdale. Keith Bogard was active with Chamber pioneers in creating the Whaling Days festival over 30 years ago. Home of “Bogard’s Breakfast Bunch”, the drugstore was the local gathering place for local businessmen instrumental in shaping the future of the community.

The Paul G. Linder Award for Community Service, presented to the Chamber Member of the Year is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy. This year’s recipient Dorothy Reincke of Prudential Northwest Real Estate was nominated for her significant record of service and diligence to the Chamber. Reincke is an active member of the Chamber and shares her enthusiasm for the group and the community through a plethora of projects and endeavors.

The Chamber also recognized Businesses of Distinction and Citizen’s of Distinction. Selected this year as a Business of Distinction are Grape Expectations and Chico Towing. Selected for recognition as Citizen’s of Distinction are Paul Taylor, President of the Old Town Silverdale Association and Nick and Coleta Corey founders of Corey’s Day on the Farm.