The city of Newcastle honored a group Feb. 26 that far too often goes unnoticed — volunteers.

Each year, volunteers devote countless hours to city events. It is volunteers that help plan summer activities, care and advocate for the city’s vast trail network and protect Newcastle’s history.

About 50 volunteers and summer event sponsor representatives gathered at The Golf Club at Newcastle Feb. 26, where they were treated to snacks, an orchestra and a personal thank you from Newcastle Mayor Steve Buri and City Manager Rob Wyman.

Volunteerism is a big part of what makes Newcastle one of the best small cities in the country. So, here’s a special shout out to some of the groups and people that willingly offer their time to better the city:

• Community Activities Commission — Diane Lewis, Linda Newing, Zaquis Ross, Russ Segner, Jim Price and Victoria Sandoval, and past members Angela Ursino and Victoria Hupf
• Planning Commission — Karin Blakely, Elizabeth Thompson, Orville McDonald, Jon Simpson, Rob Lemmon, Allen Dauterman and Thomas Magers
• Boy Scout Troops 499, 577 and 626
• Student volunteers from Hazen High, Liberty High, Maywood Middle and McKnight Middle schools
• Newcastle Trails — Garry Kampen, Peggy Price
• Newcastle Weed Warriors — Grace Stiller
• Newcastle Historical Society
• Little Rhody Park neighborhood group
• Newcastle Days car show planning committee
• Earth Day planning committee
• Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Board

The event also honored the following sponsors that contributed to city events over the summer:

• AvalonBay — Brian Fritz
• Waste Management — David Della
• Regency Newcastle — John Kotalick
• The Golf Club at Newcastle — David Uchida
• Coal Creek Family YMCA — Sara Biancofiori
• Boeing Employees Credit Union — Molly Andrews
• AT&T — Carol Tagayun
• UW/Valley Medical Center — Liz Nolan
• Animal Hospital of Newport Hills — Kent Thomazin
• HomeStreet Bank – Travis Monen
• KeyBank — Jimmy Ng
• Apple Physical Therapy — Randy Johnson

The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce is losing a key administrative member.

Executive Director Imelda Dulcich announced publicly Feb. 11 that she is resigning from the chamber to focus more on the clients of her public relations firm.

“I am privileged to have worked with so many wonderful members of the community in my work as executive director,” she said in a news release. “My joy has been working with the chamber board to help our members succeed by providing opportunities to build connections, increase visibility and learn through our educational events.”

Hired in 2012, Dulcich served in a part-time consultant role as the chief administrator and executive officer of the chamber. In her position, she implemented the policies of the Board of Directors, administered the approved budget and acted as the chamber spokesperson.

Dulcich played a key role in raising the visibility of Newcastle businesses through social media promotion. She also spearheaded the welcomed transformation of the Newcastle Diamond Awards into an evening affair.

During her time with the chamber, Dulcich offered valuable training opportunities for members, and made the monthly luncheons a not-to-miss event with heralded guest speakers such as U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, sports radio personality Bill Swartz, King County Sheriff John Urquhart and Q13 Fox News’ David Rose.

After announcing her decision at the Feb. 11 chamber luncheon, Dulcich received a standing ovation from all attendees.

The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Board accepted her resignation with regret, according to the news release.

“Imelda’s unique brand of social media talents and personal touch strengthened and deepened the chamber’s role within the region,” said past chamber President Peter Zevenbergen. “Imelda leverages her insight and wisdom to make profound impacts on all her work. She will be missed.”

The board will begin laying out a plan to find Dulcich’s replacement at its annual retreat Feb. 12.

Sara Biancofiori, current chamber president, added that Dulcich has agreed to work with the board to provide continuity and easy transfer of work for the new executive director.

“There are many exciting things happening in 2015 for our chamber. While I’m sad to see Imelda go, I know that together with our board, we will continue to build on our successes,” Biancofiori said. “Because of Imelda, the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce has seen tremendous growth of our visibility in the region, and we will continue that trend into the future.”

By Greg Farrar
Diamond Award winners for 2014 are (from left) Chris Ware, Margaret Strong, Christina Corrales-Toy, Jaime Greene, David Vaisar, Mary Elworth, the Coal Creek YMCA represented by Sara Biancofiori and David Harris.

Whether it’s his suave British accent, his kind, carefree attitude or the shoulder-length hair, something about David Harris just says “rock star.”

The man behind the music at festivals across the Eastside, including Newcastle’s Concerts in the Park and Newcastle Days, knows how to put on a show, and he was recognized for it with the top honor at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Diamond Awards ceremony.

Newcastle Mayor Steve Buri presented Harris with the Mayor’s Award on Nov. 20 in a glitzy evening affair at The Golf Club at Newcastle. Buri described Harris as a person that “makes things happen,” and thanked him for managing the sound of and helping bring bands to Newcastle’s community events.

“He’s a huge asset to everything we’ve done over the last 10 years to build a sense of community with Lake Boren Park as the center,” Buri said.

The Mayor’s Award is intended for a person who consistently volunteers his or her time and resources to make a positive difference in the Newcastle community, said Doug Kunkel, a Newcastle Chamber board member.

Harris’ role in working both behind the scenes and at the sound controls of community events made him an easy choice, Kunkel added.

“David brings an abundance of experience and enthusiasm to the table when helping organize community events,” he said. “His past experience as the chairman of the planning committee for the very large Issaquah Salmon Days festival makes him an expert resource for us to turn to for advice and ideas, which he’s happy to share.”

In a short acceptance speech, Harris, who frequents the community to visit good friend Newcastle resident and Yes drummer Alan White, expressed his admiration for the city.

“I’ve always had a great passion for Newcastle,” Harris said. “This is a really great community.”

Harris wasn’t the only one that walked away with a diamond-shaped trophy; the chamber handed out awards in six other categories.

It was a big night for the Coal Creek Family YMCA, whose staff members won two awards.

?Jaime Greene, the Y’s director of Healthy Living and Community Engagement, walked away with the Dennis Yarnell Inspiration Award, while the entire Y staff won the Customer Service Award.

Newcastle resident Chris Ware, owner of Newport Hills’ Dolce Vita Salon and Nail Spa, won the Business Award, and Margaret Strong, a teacher at Hazelwood Elementary School, won the Education Award.

There were co-winners in the Youth Award category, as both Newcastle residents David Vaisar, an Eagle Scout who helped improve the city’s trails, and Mary Elworth, an active library volunteer and a member of Newcastle’s Teen Leadership Board, took home trophies.

Newcastle News reporter Christina Corrales-Toy also won the Community Leadership Award.

The Newcastle Diamond Awards is an annual ceremony that recognizes community members who do good things in the greater Newcastle area. The recipient of a Diamond Award is chosen based on his or her contribution to the community.

Winners and nominees demonstrate dedication, integrity and caring, with a passion for doing what needs to be done.

Paul Reynolds

Sara Biancofiori

The announcement was made at the chamber’s Feb. 12 luncheon. Chamber Vice President Sara Biancofiori will take over the role of president. Biancofiori is the Coal Creek Family YMCA’s associate executive director.

Former chamber president Angela Wingate will fill the vacant vice president position.