Well, Orion, we asked for your help in finding the Citizen of the Year and you came through.
Our office accepted nominations for over a month and all were extremely worthy candidates.
Candidates could not be elected government officials and duties of their paid employment were not considered, only volunteer work, and candidates had to presently live or work in Orion (a rule that may be altered next year based on feedback), as the nominating committee of Orion Area Parade Group members and Review staff trimmed the list down to nine.
The following are profiles of each of the nine finalists based on the form(s) turned in for each. Come back next week to see who the winner is in a special feature in The Review.
The Citizen of the Year will also serve as Grand Marshall of the Lighted Parade through downtown and be honored at the Holly Jolly Folly.
Karen Appledorn ? ‘Karen is a tireless volunteer dedicated to supporting the youth of our community,? her nominator wrote.
Appledorn is known for her work with the Lake Orion Education Foundation (where she serves as Event Chair) in addition to volunteering with Special Olympics and the LOHS PTO, among others.
Larry Dennis ? ‘Larry is a familiar face to a lot of Lake Orion,? his form reads.
Dennis has served as Chaplain for the American Legion Post 233 for many years, in addition to offering haircuts at senior centers and for shut-ins.
Norma Lamar ? ‘Norma has a reputation among her many friends and family of being a very caring and giving person,? her nominator wrote.
Lamar’s volunteer work extends to the First Congregational Church, a touring choir member with the Junior League of Oakland County and a fundraiser with Countryside of Oakland County.
Joe Mastromatteo ? ‘We would like you to consider Dr. Joe because of his work on the Orion Veterans Memorial for the past 15 years,? his form reads.
In addition to his work on the memorial, Mastromatteo has donated office space to local non-profit organizations and frequently donates dental services, as well as giving dental products to military personnel serving overseas.
Edward Peters ? ‘As a retiree, Ed has not sat still ? he is heavily involved in the community,? his nominator wrote.
Peters is active in the Amateur Radio Public Service Corp., serves as an alternate commissioner for the Paint Creek Trailways and also is known for his award-winning volunteer work with ONTV.
Earl Reinhardt ? Belonging to many organizations, a special nominator said he ‘could go on and on forever about his grandpa,? calling him ?76 years young.?
Reinhardt has volunteered at VA hospitals, veterans homes and nursing homes for 35 years, and has served in all offices of the American Legion Post 337, among many other organizations.
Sara Van Portfliet ? ‘Sara is heavily involved as a volunteer in all things historical,? her form reads.
Van Portfliet is a founding member of the Orion Historical Society, assisted with the village’s historical project and is a volunteer with the Friends of the William E. Scripps Estate.
Phyllis Westcott ? ‘Phyllis is always working to make Lake Orion ‘a better Orion,? which is the motto of GFWC,? her nominator wrote.
Westcott is a 24-year member and current treasurer for the General Federation of Women’s Club, assists with library book sales and helps with American Red Cross Blood Drives.
Kathy Wieland ? ‘Kathy donates her time to senior citizens and ONTV and is the founder and director of the Church Street Singers,? her form reads.
Wieland is also an award-winning producer for her program ‘Lunch at C.J.’s,? which won another PHILO award just last week.