Volunteer's celebrated at gala

Pine Haven's council celebrated their volunteers at a gala fundraiser Saturday evening. Eighty-five places had been set with six per table at the community center Saturday evening, but as guests continued to arrive, these table settings were rearranged to sit eight, "or more", according to Mayor Karla Brandenburg.

"It was amazing and a packed house!"

As this was the inaugural year for the volunteer gala, organizers assumed turnout would probably be low, but would be better next year. According to the mayor, though, this was not the case.

"We had such a great turnout this year we will have to figure out how to get more people into our community center to attend."

Brandenburg later shared her philosophy that a successful community, "Is not the leadership, it is the leadership putting the right people in place to accomplish our goal."

She explained how this has been accomplished in Pine Haven with the support of community volunteers under the auspices of the governing body, all building and maintaining this ideal, "the cemetery board, community center board, senior board, planning and zoning board, rec board and the new infrastructure committee [as well as] over 30 people involved in our Fire Dept and EMS group now."

Commendation to these people who have gone above and beyond as well as others who have done so privately over the last year, were recognized at the gala.

"The council wanted to thank them all for what they do," said Brandenburg.

The Council also recognizes one person, each year, as the Pine Haven Citizen of the Year, for their volunteer work in the community.

"This year," the mayor said, "We chose TJ Gideon, who steps up where ever needed to help the town selflessly and without reservation."