• Seventeen individuals and four businesses or organizations were recognized during the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce’s Samaritan Awards on Feb. 25. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Cara Sizemore, nominated by Clemens Primary School (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians were recipients of the People’s Choice Award. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Joel Shonnard, nominated by the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Fred Shaub, nominated by Philomath Rotary Club (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • PHS junior Lorelei Schell accepts the Future First Citizen award from co-emcee Bre Miller. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Ken Rueben served as one of the two emcees for the event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Pioneer Connect was honored as the Large Business of the Year. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Patty Nobles shares a hug after receiving a Samaritan Award Wednesday night for her contributions to Philomath Community Services. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Patty Nobles, nominated by Philomath Community Services (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Tyana Newbill, nominated by Bountiful Backyard (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Co-emcee Bree Miller, Corvallis Knights president (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Christopher McMorran interacts with co-emcee Ken Rueben while accepting the Junior First Citizen award. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Chas Jones speaks to the crowd as the evening gets started. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Paula May sits at a table with her family during Wednesday’s Samaritan Awards. Lilly’s Lope for Hope, which May established, was honored as the Nonprofit of the Year. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Luis Maciel, nominated by Strengthening Rural Families (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Andy Louden won a Samaritan Award for his work with Philomath Fire & Rescue. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Andy Louden, nominated by Philomath Fire & Rescue (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Lilly’s Lope for Hope’s Paula May accepts the Nonprofit of the Year award. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Carol Leach, nominated by the city of Philomath (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Judie Lafrance, nominated by Maxtivity Creative Space (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mark Koeppe accepts the First Citizen Award during Wednesday night’s Samaritan Awards event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The First Citizen award recipients included, from left, Doug Edmonds (Senior First Citizen), Mark Koeppe (First Citizen), Christopher McMorran (Junior First Citizen) and Lorelei Schell (Future First Citizen). (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The Small Business of the Year award went to Figaro’s. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Melissa Edwards, nominated by Philomath Youth Activities Club (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Doug Edmonds won the Senior First Citizen honor. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Bobbi Conard, nominated by Girl Scouts, Service Unit 29 (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mark Bozdick, nominated by Philomath Lions Club (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Brian Bailey, nominated by Philomath Frolic & Rodeo (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)

Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.