Partridge, Erickson Toast Of the Town

There was goofy dancing, shouting competitions and a lot of jazz, rock and roll, and country shaking the Elks Lodge on Saturday, Jan. 31. With a slight change in tune, the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce brought in some professional dueling pianists to ring in the new year, new board and president.

It was a huge success. Executive Director Lisa Olk said it was one of the most well attended chamber awards banquet in at least a decade. Around 300 people showed up for a little entertainment and drinks.

The gavel was passed as the 2014 Chamber President Terry Colbrese handed off duties to 2015 President Bethanie Knight.

They also honored a few local citizens who maybe dance to a more unique beat. Skip Erickson was honored this year with the President's Choice Award and Deb Partridge was selected for the Volunteer of the Year Award. Both were there to enjoy the entertainment, but they got to be honored before their peers, neighbor's and fellow residents for their labors.

Deb Partridge

She was selected for the volunteering for all chamber events. Olk later said that she's always around when in need for another hand. Partridge was born and raised in the area. She grew up with four sisters, and as Erickson said of her, they grew up together. It was him and nine other girls.

Partridge ended up moving to Libby as her dad went to work on the Libby Dam. She graduated from high school there and then went to work for Valley Bank, where she stayed for almost a full quarter of a century. She became involved with the chamber and chamber events to help the community thrive.

She's volunteered on several chamber sponsored events, like the Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament for the last 15 years, the Ice Fishing Derby Tournament and the Blues & Brews event. She's also served on the Feather Fest and the Rock the Block committees and has spent two and a half years working on the board.

Skip Erickson

If he were to list all his various adventures, activities and civic organizations, it would look a lot like a resume for someone who has a lot of time. In reality he just has a lot more energy than some and is very enthusiastic about his goals and passions. Stan Ozark commented at the event that Erickson tends to take a trip to Africa, like most people might decide to take a trip to Billings.

Erickson is a Nashua graduate who left to serve as a U.S. Merchant Marine and found his way back home and worked for United Insurance and Realty for over four decades. He didn't just work his way into being a partner, he ended up being a member of various organization. You could find him in the Kiwanis Club, the Valley County Sportsmen's Club, at Two Rivers Economic Development Board meetings, involved in the Glasgow and Valley County Planning Board, part of the Glasgow Rural Development Program and many more. He served as president in many of these positions.

Lately his goal has been to complete the World Wildlife Experience at the Northeast Montana Children's Museum. It already has more than 130 species that he personally collected on display and should be completed this year.

Erickson spoke to the crowd while he received recognition. He threw recognition toward Partridge for her volunteer endeavors and he said that volunteerism is what helps make small communities. He said without volunteers, there wouldn't be so many important services available to the community.