Wilken named 2019 Sprague Citizen of the Year

SPRAGUE – Sprague Chamber of Commerce President Tim Wilken was named 2019 Citizen of the Year during the organization's annual banquet Monday night at Sprague Elementary School.

Wilken received multiple nominations for the award, selection committee spokesman Chris Canaday said.

"This gentleman has been life-long in Sprague," Canaday said during the presentation of the award.

According to Canaday, the 35-year-old Wilken has been instrumental in city improvements and is always willing to help out.

Canady cited the flood of 2017 in which Wilken spent days helping residents fill and place sandbags to hold back the water.

"Tim was a huge help," Canady said after the presentation. "Tim is deserving."

Wilken was almost speechless by the award.

"I'm amazed," he said. "I wasn't expecting something like this."

Wilken is a 2002 graduate of Sprague High School and a 2005 graduate of Spokane Community Colleges.

He commutes daily to his job in Spokane and returns home where he and his fiancee have children ranging in age from 7 months to 15 years, he said.

Wilken said he was "raised in the chamber" and is proud to be from Sprague.

"I'm caught by surprise," he said of the award.

Pastor Bob Bridge served as emcee for the event and Garrett Linstrum was the auctioneer for live bidding.

Local Future Farmers of America members served a chicken Alfredo dinner, provided by Diane Gomez and Maggie's Kitchen Catering.

In other business Monday, the chamber:

Installed officers for 2020, including Wilken, Vice President Dorothy Giddings, Treasurer Joy Wilken and board members Shari Stowell and Jill Sheffels (in abstentia).

Listened to performances by violinist Stefani Kanzler, flutist Julie Murphy, vocalist Laura Minnie, pianist Zac Moore and vocalist Serena Block.

Heard a report from Fire Chief Mitch Lowry on volunteer activities and the retirement of Don Ringwood. Volunteers will honor Ringwood, a 30-year fire department veteran, from 1-3 p.m. Friday.

Heard reports on the Friends of the Library, Just Sprague/Feed Sprague, the Lincoln County Lost/Found Pet Network and Norman's World Rescue and Sanctuary.

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