The nominations are in, and on Wednesday, April 16, Forks Chamber of Commerce will recognize the Best of our community at the annual Best of Awards. The community is invited to join the celebration at Blakelsee’s Bar and Grill, 1222 S. Forks Ave., at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is lasagna, salad, and bread for $13.99.

Volunteer of the Year nominees

A volunteer who is most deserving of recognition for his/her commitment to the West End.

Jolene Price

I would like to nominate Jolene Price for the position of best volunteer. She has turned around West End Thunder by getting all of the finances in order and helping us apply for grants and the like. Absolutely the best treasurer I have ever worked with. I know she does so much for so many. She is well known in the community and deserves much better words than I am capable of.

And another- Jolene is an amazing volunteer! She served as treasurer of the Forks Rain of Terror, is involved in the city of Forks, volunteers for and runs the pickle ball tournament, the Elks bingo, and also is a Thursday night bartender at the Elks, on top of that, she is also the current Westend Thunder treasurer! How amazing is that!

Randy Mesenbrink

Randy has kept the logging and mill tour going for the past few years, almost solo. His dedication to the program has been felt far and wide, with schools coming back repeatedly to experience his tours, many happy tourists, and always keeping a good relationship with the local logging companies.

Jim Strong

Jim goes out of his way to make volunteer events happen, like the Volunteer Fair. He drives all over the west end distributing flyers. He gives moral support and physical support. He also helps with many other organizations around town, putting on various events to better the community.

Halie Fletcher

Halie has been a volunteer for the West End Youth League volleyball team since the inception in 2011 (I believe). She coached for years and has now stepped up as the commissioner and a coach. She is selfless during the season and is above and beyond kind to the girls of our community.

Ryerlin Roland and Elizabeth Graeme

I would like to nominate our two MCU delegates Ryerlin Roland and Elizabeth Graeme for Volunteer of the year. Both of these girls have been working so hard to make their community proud. Since December, every Wednesday, Ryerlin has been volunteering 2 hours a week to Ginger’s Closet. She is not required to but wants to help out. Elizabeth is overseas at the moment, but is constantly doing community action work. Ryerlin had an idea to challenge the community to 40 days, 40 items. She passed out 250 flyers asking people to fill a bag of unwanted items to return to her on 4.18.25, and she will donate all items to the various nonprofit organizations on the West End. Elizabeth is doing this in Moldova, but on a smaller scale in support of Ryerlin.

Elizabeth came up with the idea to promote volunteerism in youth, and together the girls have come up with a mini mayor contest to encourage more youth to get out and volunteer. Ryerlin, during the first responder’s food drive, made a video challenging families to get out and volunteer together. All of these girls’ works can be found on their Facebook/Instagram pageant pages Misswestcoastjrhighschoolusa25 and MissWAJrHighSchoolUSA25. Once Elizabeth returns to Forks this May, and they can finally physically combine forces, they will only continue to be more active in their mission to help. They are already mulling over ideas for a project for Sarge’s this coming Memorial Day.

Business of the Year nominees

A Forks Chamber of Commerce member business deemed most deserving of recognition for community service and involvement with evidence of good business ethics and employee support.

Kim’s Creations & Tulle Shed

Kim employs multiple people during the year during her weddings, events, and parties. She gives back to the community, especially at funeral services and nonprofit events with free or reduced rentals and consultations. Kim also works very hard to keep Forks’ wedding tourism vibrant. Kim’s Creations & Tulle Shed is a vital part of our business community.

West End Taproom – Amy Dilley

Amy has taken a great business and continued to add to it. She thinks outside the box and is creating events for locals to enjoy in the winter months.

Sasquatch the Legend

I nominate the Sasquatch The Legend Store because it’s not just a store, it’s an experience. It has the nation’s largest selection of Sasquatch/Bigfoot merchandise and has an in-house Sasquatch Researcher, Thomas Sewid. You get to meet and talk to someone who has had actual encounters with bigfoot! It’s a store, museum and sasquatch research headquarters.

Decker City Hardware

Business owner Dean Decker consistently goes above and beyond for the community, including doing personal deliveries of equipment to customers’ homes. Kind staff, good service, fair prices.

Citizen of the Year nominees

Citizens who embody selflessness and integrity; promote the good of the community through volunteer activities; demonstrates activities or services performed over and above the normal duties of an employed position.

Gary and Charlotte Peterson

Gary and Charlotte work tirelessly to keep the Hoh Rainforest open to all. In addition to running their two businesses and maintaining the Nikolai Memorial, they undertook a massive project to open the Land of Legends Trail so that visitors could continue to enjoy the Hoh Rainforest when the road washed out. They made maps and interpretive signs for the trail and plan to leave it open to help with overflow this summer. Their foresight and efforts helped to get a plan to reopen the road.

Bryon Monohon

1. City Council Member 2004-2009

2. Mental health case manager for the Forks Community Hospital’s West End Outreach Services

3. Mayor 2010-2018

4. Shepherded the community through the decisions needed to replace the Odd Fellows Hall when in burned down in October 2012.

5. Helped oversee the construction and opening of the award-winning Rainforest Arts Center by 2015.

6. Current Director of the Forks Timber Museum

7. Current substitute pastor for the Forks Congregational Church

Ismael Ramos

Ismael is a wonderful community member. He is a great teacher, a caring coach and a kind person.

Bill Plumbley

Bill is involved with so many volunteer opportunities in our area and is not afraid to step up to help.

Special Awards

2025 Inez Halverson Award

Forks Community Hospital Long Term Care for recognition of years of community service focused on the west end of Clallam and Jefferson Counties.

2025 Cornerstone Award

Forks Elks Lodge 2524

“50 Years of Service”

Forks has thrived because of your presence, success, and integrity, serving as a strong foundation on the west end.