The Woodland Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Jan. 24 at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver and Maxine Rodman was selected as the chamber’s 2014 Citizen of the Year.
In addition to Rodman’s honor, Lewis River Golf Course was named the Woodland Chamber’s 2014 Business of the Year and Amanda Robinson, of America’s Family Diner, was named as the Employee of the Year.
The 2015 officers and Board of Trustees was also named at the banquet. The 2015 officers are President Bill Raybell, First Vice President Christy McGraw, Second Vice President Melinda Leuthold, Secretary Mary Urban, Treasurer Darlene Johnson and Past President Joy Snead.
The Board of Trustees includes Janice Graham, Michael Green, Barbara Harsh, Jeff Leuthold, Vivian Mosby, and Carol Rounds.
The executive director of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce is John “JJ’’ Burke.
Here’s a close look at the 2014 award winners:
Citizen of the Year – Maxine Rodman
(Biography provided by Woodland Mayor Grover Laseke)
The Woodland Citizen of the Year for 2014 recipient continues the tradition of honoring citizens who have served the Woodland community for many years.
Maxine Rodman was born in Spokane in 1928. She was adopted by her parents and is an only child. She has five children, 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Maxine married Howard and the moved to Woodland in the early 1960s to be caretakers for the Presbyterian camp on Cardai Hill.
A few years later, the couple moved to Woodland and lived on a mini-farm located on South Pekin Road. They had animals, fruit trees and gardens, which they shared generously with many residents. Maxine still lives on the same property.
Maxine’s life has revolved around music from her early childhood. She and her husband, Howard, sang on the radio together. Maxine taught music at the Woodland Elementary School for 21 years. She also was a volunteer music teacher at the Woodland Christian School for five years. Her many students remember her with great fondness. One of her hobbies is collecting sheet music.
Community service has also been a major part of Maxine’s life. She served on the Horseshoe Lake Committee for nine years, helped with the Woodland Father-Daughter Ball for eight years, helped with the reading program at the Woodland Intermediate School and chairman of the board for the Woodland Christian School during a time of great stress. In this position, she was known for being level headed and the voice of reason. Maxine served many years as a valiant volunteer at the Hulda Klager Lilac Garden as docent, hostess, and provided music at many events.
Maxine played piano for countless weddings, funerals,, church programs, and worship teams. She taught Sunday School and was the Vacation Bible School director for many summers. She was also a Cub Scout Den mother for eight years.
People in the community had many compliments for Maxine:
• “She always has a smile and positive things to say.”
• “Closest thing to a saint they have ever met.”
• “Always positive, cheerful, trustworthy, dedicate to the well being of children, energetic, hardworking and a faithful friend.”
• “She has a smile and enthusiastic attitude and is a joy to be around.”
Maxine took care of her husband Howard during his illness before his death. She never complained or had an angry word no matter how difficult it became. Howard passed away in 2005. They were married for 54 years.
A testament to Maxine’s character was the house in Spokane her parents left her after they passed away many years ago. She did not sell the house for her own benefit but instead allowed a needy woman from her church to live there for many years until her death. She then rented the house out with the proceeds used for many charitable purposes.
“Maxine Rodman is truly deserving of this honor and is a crown jewel of the Woodland Community,’’ said Woodland Mayor Grover Laseke, who presented Rodman as the chamber’s Citizen of the Year.
Business of the Year – Lewis River Golf Course
The Lewis River Golf Course opened in 1967. It was designed by Ralph Stading Sr., who continues to own and operate the course along with son Ralph Stading Jr. and wife Allison Stading.
When it opened, Lewis River Golf Course was half the size it is today. It then doubled in size in 1969. A flood in 1996 caused significant damage to half of its property, however they didn’t just rebuild they made improvements by making new and challenging changes to their property.
In the year 2000, a devastating fire destroyed an integral part of the business but they again managed to not just rebuild but to improve their facilities. All this happened during their 47 years in Woodland, but that is not why they are the 2014 Business of the Year.
Throughout the years, the owners of the Lewis River Golf Course have shown great support and giving back to the Woodland community in many ways, particularly to the youth of the community.
They have provided employment for generations of Woodland High School students, many of whom were undertaking their very first jobs.
They work with Woodland High School, Booster Club, Woodland Rotary and many other local organizations to help with fundraising events.
They were instrumental in the success of the 2006 Woodland Centennial Gala.
They bring in overnight guests to Woodland, who book rooms at the Lewis River Inn and Lewis River Bed and Breakfast and other area accommodations.
They allow district cross country meets on their property.
They allow three area high schools to host matches and jamborees, and are very accommodating to these groups.
They annually host the Woodland Chamber, After Hours Christmas Fundraiser.
They have partnered with the Woodland Primary School to implement the SNAG Program, which is designed to develop character, golf fundamentals and etiquette to area youngsters.
They allow area youth to play for free (year round-if involved in their youth program, and provide discounted rates for any adult that comes out to golf with a youth program member).
They host the WHS end of season golf team banquets.
They provide free use of the course, and use of the range and balls for all Woodland High School boys and girls team golfers.
Employee of the Year – Amanda Robinson, American’s Family Diner
Robinson is described by America’s Family Diner Owner Nate Chumley as “an awesome employee who started with us at the very beginning. Her contagious laugh and never-ending smile has made her a local favorite. Her hard work, dedication and loyalty have played a huge part in our success at the diner. Her patience has been remarkable dealing with customers. In short, we are both blessed and honored to have Amanda as part of our family.
Customers at America’s Family Diner contributed these observations of Robinson’s contributions:
• “She always remembers our likes and/or dislikes of anything we order. She is always in a good mood and her laugh is infectious.”
• “She always greets us when we walk in the front door and she knows what we want to drink whether it’s breakfast or lunch. She is such a sweet person.”
• “Always cheerful, provides great service, flexible and takes customer service to a new level. Having Amanda wait on me makes my day.”
• “Amanda is delightful and efficient – makes every visit to the diner an enjoyable experience.”
• “Friendly, friendliest waitress I have ever met.”
• “Amanda has a crazy laugh with a great personality. She is friendly, quick, efficient and accurate. She likes her job and it shows. She makes it fun to eat at America’s Family Diner.”
