Paradise Chamber Honors Business

In December 2022, The Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce hosted a dinner to install its 2023 Board of Directors and to honor individuals and businesses who made a difference in our business community during the past three years.

Annual Chamber Awards 2022

Ed Salome Award for Service to the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce: Steve & Lori Crowder, A Stitch Above Paradise

Steve and Lori Crowder, owners of A Stitch Above Paradise were honored with The Ed Salome Award for service to the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Both Crowders have served on our Board of Directors, and have been unfailingly dedicated, and cheerful volunteers, supporting other businesses, and providing event support.

Special Recognition: Charles Brooks, Founder, Rebuild Paradise Foundation

Charles Brooks received Special Recognition as the founder of Rebuild Paradise Foundation (RPF). Immediately following the Camp Fire, Brooks sprang into action in support of the rebuild, travelling to Washington D.C to advocate for relief. RPF has distributed nearly 2 million dollars in missing middle and septic grants and has created mapping programs and a Residential Floor Plan Library.

Resilience Award: Laurie & Jim Noble, Noble Orchard Company

Business of the Year: Wayne & Livia Kurtz, Paradise Grocery Outlet

Paradise Grocery Outlet was honored as Business of the Year. Wayne and Livia Kurtz, center, are pictured with team members. Grocery Outlet received several nominations

Rising Star Award: Iris Natividad, Nothing but Love Paradise

Owner of “Nothing But Love Paradise” Iris Natividad was honored with the Rising Star Award. In addition to opening “Nothing But Love” as a tribute to her life partner lost to the Camp Fire, Iris supports local small businesses and artists, and serves on the Board of the Paradise Art Center and is a life-time member of the Gold Nugget Museum.

Special Recognition: Lawrence St. Germain, Paradise Veterans Group for investment in Ridge non-profits and causes, superior workplace environment, and growing our community by importing family members.

Non-profit Organization of the Year: Rotary Club of Paradise

Non-Profit of the

Year Paradise Rotary Club has been providing community service to Paradise for more than 76 years. Rotary projects include park improvements, scholarships, police and fire equipment, Paradise Ice Rink, and school support. After the Camp Fire, the Paradise Rotary Foundation raised over 2 million dollars.

Who could be more deserving of the Resilience award than Noble Orchards, celebrating its 102nd anniversary this year? Before the Camp Fire wiped out almost all the orchard buildings, irrigation, and tools, Jim and Laurie Noble fought bears to protect their apples. Post fire, Noble Orchards has pivoted to a “Pick-Your-Own” model and established a nursery to help the Ridge regrow.

Special Thanks

• Table Decorating Contestants:

• Achieve Charter School

• Paradise Association of Realtors

• Poptastic

• Heritage Insurance Agency

• Butte College

• Camp Fire Collaborative

• Youth for Change

• Rebuild Paradise Foundation

• The quartet of musicians from the Paradise Symphony Orchestra

• Lawrence St. Germain and the Paradise Veterans Memorial Hall

• Nic’s

• Silent Auction Donors

• Money Bee Photography

• Event coordinators: Shannon Hurte and Dana Gajda

• Special effects: Mark Thorp

• Songstress: Sandy Miller

Special Recognition for community service went to Lawrence St. Germain, Commander of the Paradise American Legion Chapter. Lawrence’s pet project is the Kids on the Ridge Christmas party, delighting hundreds of children each year. In Lawrence’s own words: “I have lived in a lot of places and this, by far, has been the best. The people are gracious, thoughtful, and caring. The reason I do what I do is hopefully to bring back a reason for living here.”