Daily Sitka Sentinel

Trudy Prewitt Gets Chamber Cossack Cap

By Sentinel Staff

The Sitka Chamber of Commerce has named Trudy Prewitt winner of its highest annual award, the Cossack Cap.

Trudy Prewitt (Sentinel Photo)

The award was announced Saturday night at the Chamber’s annual gala at Centennial Hall. Prewitt is owner and operator of Island Bus Company, Prewitt Funeral Home and Sitka Tours.

Others honored by the Chamber were Spenard Builders Supply as Business of the Year; Mountain Brewing Co. and Campfire Kitchen, sharing the New Business of the Year award; and American Legion Post 13, Community Heroes.

Prewitt was unable to attend, but the banquet audience greeted the announcement of her award with loud applause. Chamber Executive Director Rachel Roy praised Prewitt for her compassion and community service in running the school buses, local tours and shuttle buses.

Contacted today, Prewitt said she was “stunned, appreciative and humbled by this honor. I thank whoever considered me.”

Prewitt has lived in Sitka since 1974, and is the second in her family to receive a Cossack Cap. Her late husband, Gene Prewitt, won the honor in 1976.

In her statement today Trudy Prewitt expressed her debt to Gene, who died in 2014, “for his example, leadership and wisdom. I have truly tried to, in some way, please him by carrying on Prewitt Enterprises in his same direction.... I feel I have been the beneficiary of all three very different businesses, and each is a blessing to me!”

In announcing the Business of the Year recipient, Chamber board member Tim Fulton reviewed the history of Spenard Builders Supply in Sitka: the statewide building supply company opened the Sitka branch in 1978, and through the years it has supported the Chamber and Sitka’s economic development by encouraging its staff to participate on nonprofit boards and to volunteer for community groups.

Adora Dumag, Spenard’s local contractor sales representative, accepted the award and thanked Sitkans for their patronage.

Chamber board member Holly Reeder presented the New Business award, saying it was actually for two new businesses: Harbor Mountain Brewing Company and Campfire Kitchen Pizza, which operate at a shared location at 1209 Sawmill Creek Road.

Zach Anderson, representing the brewery, and Lucas Bruckert, of Campfire Kitchen shared the podium to say thanks.

In announcing the American Legion Post 13 had won the Community Heroes award, Chamber board member Loren Olsen cited community services provided by the veterans organization: its school award program and scholarships; participating in veterans’ services at Sitka National Cemetery; joining Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 in identifying and honoring five WWII Tlingit Code Talkers; and assuring that local veterans are recognized on Veterans Day for their service to their country.

Sitka American Legion Post was founded in 1920, and was instrumental in establishing the site of the oldest national cemetery west of the Mississippi. Olsen also noted that the local legion post was a sponsor of the contest to design of Alaska flag, now the state flag, and helped establish the Sitka Public Library 100 years ago.

Vince Winter, commander of American Legion Henry “Gene” Burton Sr. Memorial Post 13, thanked the Chamber for the award, noting that Waldo Mills, the first commander, “gave Post 13 life on June 4, 1920,” and that since then its members “have demonstrated ... the important principles of service to others and dedication to many important causes through their actions.”

Chris McGraw was recognized for his nine years of service on the Chamber board. Several Legion members and Peter Karras, president of Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1, went on  stage for the presentation.

Entertainment at the circus-themed gala was provided by Sitka Cirque aerialists, performing on the lyra, two giant hoops, that is the studio’s newly acquired stand-alone aerial apparatus.

Our Town Catering provided the dinner.