While snow and ice blanketed much of Eastern Oregon on Friday, that didn’t stop Boardman from celebrating the community’s most dedicated volunteers, teachers and business owners in 2013.

Nearly 100 people braved the weather, traveling from as far as Pendleton and Heppner, to attend the 24th annual Boardman Chamber of Commerce Citizen Awards Banquet at the Port of Morrow Riverfront Center.

The Black & White Affair honored five residents for their continued community service. They included a junior high school math teacher, volunteer fire department mainstay and local farmer who stays active in a variety of projects.

“These people are doing things because they care about their community,” said Diane Wolfe, executive director of the chamber of commerce. “You can’t pay them to do all the things they do, but you can recognize them and say ‘thank you.’”

Citizen of the Year was awarded to Ray Michael, a longtime resident and former city councilor. Michael and his wife, Carol, had just returned from visiting California when he was surprised with the announcement.

“I was pleased,” Michael said. “We have a lot of good people in Boardman who are interested in its growth and quality of living.”

Michael, 73, retired two years ago after selling Boardman Pharmacy & Hardware, the business he owned since 1978. He also spent 25 years on the city council, including one year as mayor, and continues to serve on the board of directors for the Boardman Park & Recreation District.

Educator of the year went to Betsy Shane, a junior high math teacher at Riverside Junior-Senior High School. Shane was described as “a force behind the after-school math programs,” designing the curriculum and tracking student progress.

This school year, Shane has taken on coordinating state testing for the school — a task which involves training staff and scheduling testing for the entire school. She also works separately with seniors who have not passed their Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests to give them additional help they need to succeed.

Suzanne Gray, of the Boardman Rural Fire Protection District, won the Fire & Safety Award for 2013. Gray spearheaded the local Fire Corps organization in 2007, which now assists the volunteer department with firefighter rehabilitation, public education and administrative support.

In addition, Gray organized the door-to-door smoke detector campaign and has been instrumental in making sure the department is involved in community events such as Cinco de Mayo and the Fourth of July parade.

Local farmer Joe Taylor, of Double T Farming, was awarded the chamber’s Business Person of the Year not only for his success on the farm, but community involvement.

Taylor has served as a commissioner for the Port of Morrow, and treasurer for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He was chairman of the Halloween trick-or-treat event and participated in the Morrow County Leadership Program.

Finally, City Manager Karen Pettigrew was honored with the 2013 Pioneer Award, recognizing outstanding residents who have lived in Boardman for 40 years.

Nicknamed “Mrs. Boardman,” Pettigrew was not available to attend the ceremony but didn’t miss the chance to express how much the community means to her.

“If you cut me, I bleed Boardman,” she said in an interview Saturday with the East Oregonian. “I love all the work I’ve ever done here.”

Pettigrew originally came to Boardman from Nevada in 1973 with her husband, Virgil. They owned and operated J&D Electric, working on construction projects around the city — including the first food processing plant at the Port of Morrow and Portland General Electric’s coal-fired power plant.

“We came just they were putting water on the desert,” she said. “We were in the right spot at the right time.”

The Pettigrews later formed KRP Management, handling bookkeeping, employment and maintenance for companies in and around Boardman. Karen Pettigrew has gone on to serve on numerous city boards, and was named 2001 Citizen of the Year.

Pettigrew has served as city manager for more than six years.

“I just like being involved,” she said. “If I want to see something done, I’m willing to work to make it happen.”