The Distinguished Service awards for 2007 went to people who, for the most part, work behind the scenes rather than in front of the curtain. They were presented on Feb. 28 at the Elks Club.

Build Lebanon Trails garnered two of the awards. The organization was chosen Outstanding Community Group and Rod Sell, a member of its steering committee, was named Man of the Year.

Other Distinguished Service Award winners were Thelma Johnson, Senior First Citizen; Amy Torgerson, Junior First Citizen; and Cheryl Tyman, Woman of the Year.

Presenter Heather Barnes of the Lebanon Jaycees, said BLT has "generated huge community support for their vision of having over 50 miles of hiking and walking trails in and around Lebanon."

The group sponsors monthly hikes, often in areas of future trails, that attract 50 to 100 people. Members raised $17,000 locally to fund an intern who is spending a year planning trails and received a state grant to build 3,600 feet of paved trail along Marks Slough.

Sell, who is gaining a reputation as a savvy grantwriter, continues to seek out more funding sources for the group.

The city's maintenance division manager, Sell dedicates many personal hours to Build Lebanon Trails, said presenter Rob Allen.

"His efforts on the trails system is helping to develop a healthy Lebanon and is consistent with Lebanon's vision for economic development and growth for today and generations to come," Allen said.

Sell also has been active with Holidays in the Park, Lebanon Optimists, Healthy Active Lebanon and Community Health Improvement Partnership.

"I was speechless when my name was announced," he said on Monday. "I'd just as soon recognize somebody else."

He had noticed that he'd been invited by several groups to join their table.

Senior First Citizen Thelma Johnson said she was "absolutely shocked" to win the award. Friends had brought her to the banquet by giving her a ticket, supposedly in place of someone who couldn't attend, and giving her a ride.

Thirty years ago Johnson was a minor player in organizing FISH of Lebanon, which supplies food to needy folks, she said. Since then she's done about everything for the group: box foods, stock the pantry, defrost the freezer, schedule volunteers and more. She was president of FISH for quite a few years and still keeps records.

For the last eight years or so, Johnson has been a representative of the Salvation Army in Lebanon. She and a few others operate a Salvation Army table in Hardin Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, taking the names of people who need assistance and arranging for the help they need.

Johnson served on the board of Lebanon Habitat for Humanity for a while and also helped out on fundraising and family selection committees, but at 85, she's cutting back a bit.

Junior First Citizen Amy Torgerson is actively involved in both the Lebanon and Albany chambers of commerce, is a new member of the Lebanon Boys & Girls Club board of directors, is the secretary and president nominee of Lebanon Rotary and has been a loaned executive for United Way for the past two years. As the owners of Caboodle Cartridge, she and her husband, Rod, are members of Points for Profit, and they conduct a recycling program for Samaritan hospitals in the mid-valley. At no cost to Samaritan, they pick up empty toner cartridges from the hospitals, package and ship them to to recyclers, then deliver the proceeds received by Samaritan to area schools.

Torgerson said she was "stunned, absolutely stunned" to hear her name announced for the award. "I couldn't believe it."

Community service is a lifestyle for the Lebanon resident.

"it is important that I give back to the community I live in. That's my passion and it always has been. I want to teach it to my children," she said.

Sheryl Tyman, Woman of the Year, was praised as a perfect mother who doesn't miss the sports and activities of her children and helps out with her grandson. She volunteers at Hamilton Creek School and as a softball coach, and heads up Good News Bears at Waterloo Chapel. She has been a Tiger Cub Scout leader and is a Trauma Intervention Program volunteer, taking her turn at being called any time day or night to sit with accident or fire victims or solace family members whose loved one has just passed, said presenter Mary Meader.

Meader read quotes from Tyman's family and friends:

"She is one of the best, most natural and effective school volunteers and employees I have known."

"She is dedicated to helping people during the very worst hours in the lives of those we serve."

"She is not only a great mom, grandma and person, but also a great friend. My mom has always been by my side in everything I've done."