2021 Kalkaska Citizen and Business of the Year Award Recipients Announced

[Image description: Four youth are walking across a pedastrian crosswalk in downtown Kalkaska with their backs to the viewer. To the right and left of the crosswalk in the background, there are two brick buildings.]

Continuing a 50-year tradition, this year’s Kalkaska Citizen and Business of the Year have been selected through a community nomination process facilitated through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. In total, five community members and local businesses will be celebrated, representing both 2020 and 2021 winners.

Award winners for 2020 include Earth's Garden, owned by Chris McCool, for Business of the Year and Patty Cox as Citizen of the Year. Award winners for 2021 include McDonald’s, owned by the Holka Family, for Business of the Year, John Roberts as Citizen of the Year, and a special one-time Memorial Award honoring Mike Ascione for his impact on the Kalkaska community.

“From a nomination phase that’s open to the Kalkaska area public to an awards committee made up of community members, these awards are a community-driven process start to finish,” said Pam Amundsen, Donor Services Manager at the Community Foundation. “We are grateful to steward this annual tradition and support the Kalkaska community in the process.”

The award winners will be honored at a community event hosted by the Community Foundation and sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The event is planned for Wednesday, August 4 from 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the Railroad Square Pavilion. The cost to attend is $15 and event registration is now available through the Community Foundation’s website. All event registrations will support the Foundation’s Endowment for Kalkaska Area, a permanent fund dedicated to supporting the Kalkaska community.

Additional event sponsorships are available; contact Pam Amundsen at the Community Foundation: pamundsen@gtrcf.org for more information. In addition to recognizing and honoring the 2020 and 2021 Kalkaska Business and Citizen of the Year, the Community Foundation is sponsoring a scholarship award for the 2021 Miss Kalkaska, who will be invited to attend the event.