Volunteers, business owners honored

The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards luncheon at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort June 22 to honor individuals and businesses who have contributed to the community personally and through their volunteer and business activities.

Jo Andrews, owner of Go with Jo Travel, received the Athena award for her work in Huntington Beach and the travel industry for the past 23 years. The Athena award celebrates women’s potential as members and leaders of the community, excelling in their chosen field as well as contributing to the local community.

“When I look across this room today, I see the thousands of volunteer hours that everyone here has put in ? as much as I have,” Andrews said. A Huntington Beach resident for 35 years, Andrews’ introduction contained a long list of involvement with local organizations as a member and volunteer.

Describing the changes in the city that she has witnessed over the years, she said, “I used to call the city ‘the town of Huntington Beach,’ then it became the ‘city of Huntington Beach’ and recently on a trip, I introduced it as ‘Surf City, U.S.A.’!”

Mayor Dave Sullivan next introduced the Outstanding Citizen Award winner Charlie Bunten, a 32-year resident and active community member.

“He deserves the honor without a doubt,” Sullivan said. Bunten twice served as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce board as well as founding member of Arts of Orange County.

In his acceptance speech, Bunten said he was glad to be in the company of other winners of the Outstanding Citizen Award such as Shirley Dettloff, Ralph Bauer, Norma Brandel Gibbs and others.

Four family businesses won the Legacy awards for enriching the community over a long period, including Hans Imports, Pontrelli’s Interiors Inc., Old World Village and Lucy’s Tailoring.

The Legacy awards was the idea of Ilona Miller and was co-sponsored by Ilona & Co. at Re/Max Real Estate Services.

Co-owners of Lucy’s Tailoring, Harry and Chris Guldjian, thanked their mother Lucy for starting the business so she could send her children to college.

Both sons joined the business after college and plan to open another store in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa besides the Main Street establishment.

Lucy’s Tailoring has sewn for celebrity clients such as Mariah Carey.

Old World Village brings a bit of European ? specifically German ? charm to Orange County. The entertainment and shopping area on Center Avenue was founded by Josef Bischof 30 years ago.

“I liked the fact that this year’s awards emphasized businesses owned by immigrants who came to this country and have succeeded for their hard work,” Sullivan said.

Pontrelli’s Interiors, run by Kathy Pontrelli and Mike Pontrelli, have operated successfully for 30 years with the philosophy of offering “great service, great quality.”

R.J. Mayer, of the Robert Mayer Corp. and Chamber of Commerce chairman, introduced the award winners besides emceeing the ceremony.

Makar Properties LLC, the owner developers of Pacific City, were the major event sponsors. Other sponsors were Boeing Co., Chevron, the Hilton Waterfront, AES Huntington Beach LLC and the Independent.