SUQUAMISH — Tammy Mattson wasn’t quite comfortable being singled out as a community builder Friday night. But, in her case, the spiked heel fit, so the shoe she wore.

Recognized as one of four community builders of the year, Mattson, co-owner of Tizley’s Europub on Front Street, was honored during the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet at the Kiana Lodge. In accepting her honor while a packed house looked on, she threw the honor right back at those from whom she received it.

“In order to build a community, you have to have a strong community to begin with,” she said from behind the podium.

The honor was bestowed upon Mattson for her countless hours of volunteerism and teamwork that led up to the Poulsbo centennial street dance last August. But she was merely the face representing dozens of other volunteers, she said, insisting the street dance was not a one-woman show.

“It takes a good core of community to respond to anything the community is trying to build,” she said.

While her main involvement was on the street dance portion of the year-long centennial celebration, she pointed out there were many silent partners who assisted in pulling off the festivities without a hitch, like the Naval Base Kitsap volunteers who the Viking Fest committee members who loaned equipment for the street dance.

To those volunteers Mattson offered “a big, fat thank you. And a thank you to the chamber for giving me this honor,” she said.

Donna Etchey received the first honor of the night when she was named the Pearce Dressel volunteer of the year for her work on the centennial committee and numerous other efforts. Etchey balances her volunteer work with a full plate as publisher of the Herald, What’s Up arts and entertainment and the Kingston Community News.

She was overwhelmed by the honor of earning a spot in the same category as Dressel.

“Pearce Dressel epitomized volunteerism,” she said.

Adele Heinrich, executive director of the chamber, called the dinner “the event of the season. Thanks to our emcees, past chamber president Marlene Mitchell and the ‘infamous’ Dan Weedin, the recipients had a great time while accepting their awards.”

Assisted by the DJ of the evening, each recipient was forced to show their dance moves before they were allowed to collect their award plaques.

Also honored at the awards banquet:

• The organization of the year: 2008 Centennial Committee;

• Beautification, new construction: the North Kitsap Regional Events Center;

• Beautification for renovations: Bill Austin and his improvements to the Landmark Building and Almo Theatre on Front Street;

• Community builders: Darryl Elves from Poulsbo Elementary, Doug Haughton from Liberty Bay Auto and Mayor Kathryn Quade.

• The person of the year: Tom Taylor, who has been a positive and supportive influence on the chamber board of directors.

For photos from the event, see The North Kitsap Herald’s March 6 print edition.