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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Readers Represent: Who is Your Icon?
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Stephanie Frieze…has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.
Lorraine Hart…was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.
Jaynie Jones…is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .
Tracy Lebenzon...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.
Joseph McGowan…is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.
Mizu Sugimura…is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.
Kim Thompson…is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net. ugi@yahoo.com.
7 comments:
The Town of Steilacoom in conjunction with the Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce bestows the title of "Citizen of The Year" on a selected individual who is recognized to have contributed in a substantial way to the quality of life in the community.
For quite some time I have felt that the most dedicated, devoted, determined advocate and promoter of the Town of Steilacoom has yet to be recognized formally for her achievements.
Furthermore, the title "Citizen of The Year" would seem inadequate for her.
"Citizen of The Century" would be more fitting.
I nominate Nancy Covert of the Town of Steilacoom as "Citizen of The Century."
Nancy Covert is a proud mother and doting grandmother who delights in tea parties with her grandchildren. She has resided in a picturesque cottage near a pond just west of Union Avenue (Steilacoom/DuPont Road) in the ultimate idyllic setting where one might imagine a writer would hole-up to generate the Great American Novel.
Nancy is indeed a writer. She writes for both 'fun and profit.'
Nancy has served the Town of Steilacoom as Public Information Officer handling media relations and formal press releases. She is employed by the Steilacoom Historical School District in a similar capacity. She ventured forth for a short time to a media relations job at PLU, but her heart brought her back to Steilacoom. She has had subsequent offers and opportunities to relocate to Vashon Island or farther north to Bellingham: better pay, more benefits. But she has chosen to remain anchored in Steilacoom.
It is Nancy who has her finger on the pulse of the 'Town on The Sound' more than anyone else I can name.
Nancy is a dynamo. Nancy is never short on ideas. If you have ever met Nancy, then you already know that if you tell her anything about anything, it is almost guaranteed that the next sentence out of her mouth will begin with, "You should..." and then she'll go into an explanation and an outline for you of how and where you should have your idea published.
Even to my brother who is terminally ill, Nancy has said, "You should..." and then she has nudged him to get busy and write about his life, to journal every day.
Nancy is the kind of person everyone should cherish as a friend. She never minces words. You can count on her to tell you the truth. You can count on her to tell you what she really things. She is not given to glossing over topics that might be sensitive. She says and writes what she thinks. There is nothing ambiguous about Nancy. You will always know where you stand with her. That's the kind of person any of us should desire as a friend: someone who tells us the truth, no matter what. And no matter what the response may be, secure in the knowledge that the friendship can survive any of it, because it is (whatever she has said) the truth as she sees it.
Nancy is always working on writing stories, having stories published, leaving no stone unturned in her pursuit of the facts for a news story.
Nancy's expertise in working with the business community is second to none, also. Nancy has served multiple terms on the Chamber of Commerce as a board member. We have worked together on various community projects.
It is Nancy who has documented much of the Town's history in her work with the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association.
It is Nancy who gets the press releases out to the newspapers about community events such as the Spaghetti Feed each spring or the Salmon Bake each summer.
It is Nancy who spearheads the teams of judges who rate the displays of outdoor holiday decorating around the Town.
It is Nancy who gathers the facts, writes powerfully, and ensures that what she has learned is disseminated to the public.
Nancy's mind is never at rest. Her thoughts are flooded with ideas about how to help others, how to promote and preserve the historic heritage of the Town of Steilacoom. She is a good person to have in your corner; a friend for life. But ever more so in the business and professional arena, Nancy Covert is not the kind of person to put anything off until the last minute. Nancy is the kind of person who beats deadline, doing all of her homework and legwork well in advance so nothing is left to chance or to the last minute. The diligence of her work ethic alone sets her above the crowd. She embraces not only her work, but the community and life itself.
Often the "Citizen of The Year" is someone chosen from the community who has lived a life of service to our country through the military. I think it is time for the citizens of Steilacoom to give recognition to the gem they have in their midst who works relentlessly to promote, protect, and preserve the Town of Steilacoom: Nancy Covert.
In addition to all the writing Nancy does in the course of her day-to-day work with stories and photos she has contributed to and/or published in The News Tribune or the Suburban Times, she is a frequently published freelance writer. She promises to write her memoirs some day. When she does, I hope she will be able to include a chapter about when she was named "Citizen of The Century" by the Town of Steilacoom.
Oh, Emerald Princess:
Wow! First off, thanks for your comment, second, what a terrific tribune to a fine human being, and lastly, Nancy Covert sounds amazing. Her spirit, love of community, and passion is bar none! Citizen of the Century is quite appropriate as you suggest!
Delightful! Nancy, you are a local icon!
Kim
Nancy C, the "Citizen of the Year," for me...
Joseph
Can I go to Las Vegas with you next time, Kim ??
Chuck West was voted as the Key Pen's Citizen of the Year at the annual Lion's Club dinner.
Chuck is a wonderful guy (I posted the charcoal drawing of his family on the "Spring Fling" post) who gives in every way he can to this community. I won't take up the page to tell you about him...just suggest you look up the Key Pen News online, to learn more.
It made me smile Kim...you're one of the few people who actually get the bartender to talk, instead of the other way 'round!
Hendricks martinis eh?!
Hey, Joseph, your vote is counted!
Patty: Vegas? Of course, girl!
Lorraine: I actually looked up the Key Pen News and learned about Chuck. Cool guy. Hey, from personal experience, there are a lot of cool folks and icons in your neck of the woods.
Yeah, Rex. I love listening and chatting with everyone. It's so cool. There is so much to learn, you know?
Hendricks martinis are wild--they are derived from cucumbers. Very smooth and interesting. I rarely indulge in them; but when I do, what a little treat!
Nancy Covert's modesty is as amazing as her service to the community. I let her know that I had written about her on the blog. She was overwhelmed.
I showed her the comments you have added to mine and she was deeply touched. She wrote, "...how nice to know what people really think about me. Don't care if I never get Citizen of the Year. Century---well?"
Steilacoom is home to many fascinating people whose lives have enriched the world and certainly the local community, too.
Nancy definitely deserves recognition even as she quietly goes about her work. She has tremendous strength of purpose and focus. I admire her immensely.
Nancy also works with students at the high school in helping to inspire them to pursue careers in journalism.
Plus she has co-authored a book about the town's history featuring the women who shaped it.
She is a journalist's journalist. No doubt about it.
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