Photo by JASON EASTERLY

Marco Island Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award winner Pat Neil hugs Dawn Norgren after being given the award during the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Island Style 20th Annual Gala held Sunday night at the Island Country Club.

Marco Island’s distinguished citizens and community supporters gathered together at the Christmas Island Style 20th Annual Gala hosted by the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce (MIACC) Sunday at the Island Country Club.

The momentous business and social event of the year was sponsored by the Naples Daily News, the Marco Eagle, as well as M&I Bank and Physicians Regional Medical Center, and co-sponsored by Cedar Bay Yacht Club, Orion Bank and the Marco Office Supply, who printed the evening’s events program.

Sandi Reidemann, executive director of the MIACC, welcomed the assemblage and noted that special thanks should be given to the Collier Physicians Regional Medical Center for the souvenir wine glasses at every table, as well as Jerry at Gene’s Fifth Avenue Florist for the charming gift ornaments and lovely, seasonal flower centerpieces.

She later introduced Steve Stefanides, Chairman of the Christmas Island Style, under whose umbrella several holiday events took place such as Saturday’s Lighted Boat Parade and the Marco Island Home & Business Decorating Committee’s 11 Annual Christmas Home and Business Decorating Contest (started by Committee Chair Dave Rice in 1997.)

While diners munched on a crispy, first course Caesar Salad, Reidemann proudly stated that, “This is the first year we’ll be presenting a Lifetime Achievement award, selected by a special, appointed chamber committee, that will be awarded to a business person who has gone above and beyond working for the betterment of the business community.”

Meanwhile, Island’s wait staff was surreptitiously serving the evening’s meal consisting of tender slices of roast sirloin of beef, steamed asparagus spears topped with fresh tomato salsa and several chunks of roasted potato followed by tiramisu.

Many diners used the dessert recess to head for the dance floor before Reidemann announced the “Marco Island Volunteer of the Year Award presented by Bob Sandy, general manager of the Marco Eagle.”

Sandy stepped up to the dais and described the honored volunteer as someone who might be “a very shy, quiet individual (who) would never be in the limelight…” Sandy also enumerated a long list of past accomplishments by someone who “puts her heart and soul into every thing she does.”

“This year alone a half-million dollars — the largest amount raised on Marco through an individual event,” he stated and stretched the suspense even more with the grand finale, “Come on up Judy (Perez) — it’s your night to shine.”

Chris Doyle, no slouch in the achievement department himself — he was recently named publisher of the Naples Daily News — presented the newspaper’s Marco Island Citizen of the Year Award saying, “This year’s recipient is the fabric of the community — a great citizen long before receiving this year’s Citizen of the Year award.”

Doyle said he wouldn’t call this recipient a fossil even though, “He knows where the bones are buried!” referring to his knowledge and sharing of Marco history through lectures to community organizations.

The award winner’s service to the community was also evidenced by serving as president of the Island’s most important boards and organizations, Doyle said, describing the long-time Marco Island attorney’s feat with his feet in Dancing with the Starz, “where he raised a whopping $396,000 toward the Historical Society’s Museum.”

Craig Woodward was then announced as the 2007 Naples Daily News Citizen of the Year.

Last but not least, Sandi Reidemann put the cherry on top when she dramatically unveiled a portrait while saying, “We are proud and pleased tonight to initiate our first Lifetime Achievement Award that recognizes many years of contributions to our community.” She then extolled the human nature of the winner as well as their dedication and service to others through serving as president of the Chamber and other organizations and as chair of even more groups and organizations.

“It would take too long to read in depth,” she explained.

Nevertheless, she added a few more accomplishments —like serving Thanksgiving dinners to the poor and finding time to become a gourmet chef and writer.

“With gratitude for all his public service we’re absolutely delighted to award our first Lifetime Achievement Award to our very own Indiana Jones, known lovingly to us as Pat Neale.”

Naples Daily News
Naples Sun Times
The Banner

Collier Citizen
Vista Semanal
PrepZone

Coastalbeat
Set Anchor
SWFLMoms