SUQUAMISH — A Boy Scout, a grocery store manager and a Kitsap County judge now all have one thing in common: recognition from the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce at its 2006 awards banquet Friday night at Kiana Lodge.

Garrett Steele from Troop 1577 and Central Market manager Tom Hall were named as two of the chamber’s community builders, while Judge Jay Roof was tapped as “Person of the Year” for his work in the county’s drug court program.

“Thank you very much,” Roof told the more than 100 people gathered at the event. “It’s great to receive an award for doing something that you love to do.”

For the past eight years, Roof said he has enjoyed the opportunity to work with individuals and see their lives change as a result of participating in the drug court program.

Chamber Board President and North Kitsap Herald Publisher Donna Etchey credited Roof for “his compassion and belief in people.”

The county program’s success has been due in large part to Roof’s willingness to work directly with those involved to help them become productive members of society, Etchey said.

“For many of them, he is the first person in authority to believe in their value as a person,” she said.

In presenting one of the four community builder awards to Hall, Etchey said Hall’s community involvement extends far beyond his duties at Central Market.

“He gives so much to so many organizations and noble causes,” Etchey said.

As he thanked the chamber for the honor, Hall took a moment to reflect on his journey, which ironically began as a teen-ager at the historic Suquamish lodge.

“This is where I first met the love of my life, Bobbette,” Hall recounted as he accepted his award.

Now as the store manager of Central Market, Hall said he continues to be fortunate in having the opportunity to continue serving the community around him.

“Life’s journey has a way of taking us down the roads that lead us to who we are,” Hall said. “Lead by example and pass it on.”

As the youngest honoree at the event, Steele was recognized for his work on Poulsbo’s Kvelstad Pavilion, which involved adding a wheelchair ramp to the Waterfront Park structure.

“I want to thank everyone who helped me,” Steele said. “I especially want to thank all the guys in my Scout troop who helped me with the physical part.”

Other honorees at the Friday night event included chamber volunteer Lee Anderson, who received the Pearce Dressel Volunteer of the Year award.

Anderson is a longtime chamber volunteer, who has also aided the Poulsbo Senior Center and Chuckwagon program, said chamber executive director Stuart Leidner.

“She is a strong asset to the local community,” Leidner said.

For Anderson, the award was a surprise as she thanked the chamber for taking the time to recognize her.

“It’s nice to get an award for doing something that you love to do,” Anderson said.

The Poulsbo Historical Society was also honored for its continued efforts in preserving the city’s history during 2005.

“For several years I’ve told people a number of times that we’re a well-kept secret,” PHS president Bob Hawkinson said.

However, thanks to PHS curator Erica Varga, the secret is getting out as the society is making more of its materials accessible to the public, Hawkinson said.