For two consecutive years, Lorilee Houston has been crowned the Port Townsend Main Street Program Volunteer of the Year, with an additional title this year of “Volunteer in Perpetuity.”

“You may be experiencing deja vu because Lorilee Houston was our volunteer of the year last year,” Mari Mullen, the Main Street executive director, said just before she announced Houston as the winner Jan. 15 at The Old Whiskey Mill in Port Townsend. “This year, she retired and then gave us more time. She has totally astounded us with her productivity.”

Houston was presented with a custom crown made by artist Margie McDonald that bears both her name and “VIP.”

“I didn’t even have to bring my own crown,” Houston joked.

The gathered audience applauded.

“You can wear it with your name tag,” Mullen said. “We just really value all the things you have done for us this year.”

In addition to sitting on the Main Street committee and the promotion committee, Houston also serves on the winter lighting subcommittee and is active with other nonprofits such as Olympic Peninsula Steam.

Also during the annual gathering, Ted Krysinski, owner of Fyerlite Grip and Lighting, was named Main Street Champion. The Collaborator of the Year award was given to the city of Port Townsend and accepted by city manager David Timmons.

Main Street Champion

Krysinski, a deputy chief and training and operations chief at East Jefferson Fire and Rescue, received the award because of his demonstration of leadership and to make a difference in the community, Mullen said.

Krysinski added a personal touch to both downtown and uptown this holiday season when he provided professional lighting during the community tree-lighting ceremony in early December, illuminating the Bell Tower and creating the Winter Window display on Washington Street. He is already making plans for the 2019 holiday season.

Krysinski received an engraved award and an elf hat, made by Houston, in honor of his work. He put on the hat, which had a jingle bell dangling from the front.

Collaborator of the Year

This award celebrates those who have passion, dedication, are entrepreneurial and connect with other businesses and nonprofits, according to a news release.

The city was chosen because of its efforts to work with the Main Street program to create a marketing and communications plan during construction in the downtown area. The planning led to matching funds for an economic development grant the nonprofit received through First Federal Community Foundation.

The city also is a lead contributor in the Main Street Tax Incentive Program, with city staff participating in all the Main Street merchant coffee meetings.

The city made a $10,000 commitment to bring the Washington State Main Street conference to Port Townsend, and that provided an economic boost of about $139,000 to downtown businesses during ongoing construction, according to the news release.  

About 320 participants were involved in the three-day conference, which included a visit from Gov. Jay Inslee.

The Main Street program will be able to enhance downtown lighting during the 2019 holiday season with funding provided by the city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.