Knock, knock. Who’s there? Who. Who’s Who? Exactly. Or more precisely, the North Kitsap Herald’s 2006 Who’s Who (although that doesn’t really work as well with the knock, knock joke, does it?)

Jokes aside (even admittedly lame ones) the selection of our Who’s Who nominees is something the Herald takes very serious. We have to.

North Kitsap is so full of people deserving of recognition for their work, vision, leadership and spirit of community, whittling the list down to nine individuals is never easy. But then again, it shouldn’t be. If it was, it’d mean that just a handful of residents here were making this a better place to live when in reality there are so many that the sheer volume is difficult to grasp.

They come from all over the North End and are known throughout the community as Frances, Stuart, Grace, Ron, Joe, Kathleen, Pat, Marylin and Tom.

Simple names.

Extraordinary people.

From promoting Norwegian heritage, strengthening the S’Klallam tribal culture, improving the environment in Kingston, bettering Poulsbo’s business climate and helping Fish Park get swimming to making Suquamish Elementary School the best it can be, teaching North Kitsap High School students to lead by example, jumping in to make a positive difference in Suquamish and taking a love of soccer to the next level by coaching kids, the 2006 Who’s Who selection is diverse.

Each has his or her own mission and each goes about accomplishing their tasks uniquely. But it is exactly this broad spectrum of talent that makes North Kitsap shine so brightly.

And while each differs, they share a common vision of improving things — leaving everything better than they found it. For this we offer our sincerest thanks.

That’s what Who’s Who is all about.

Thanking those who do so much for North Kitsap and seek so little in return. This group fits that description perfectly and we consider ourselves fortunate to call them our neighbors.