TMCnet News
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Wash., Strictly Business column: Realtor Peterson honored by peersJun 19, 2009 (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Walla Walla's longest known Realtor has been honored with emeritus status from the National Association of Realtors. Clyde Petersen, founder of Petersen Properties, has been awarded the honorary status for his more than 40 cumulative years of membership in the National Association of Realtors and "in recognition of valuable and lasting contribution to the real estate profession in the community," according to the award. Petersen was feted locally by a small group of peers in a ceremony last week at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center, where he resides after suffering a stroke earlier in the spring. The emeritus status is reserved for those who have held membership in the association for at least four decades. Nominees are approved by a board of directors. Upon approval, no further dues are required to the national association. A Wisconsin native, Petersen came to the area to attend then-Walla Walla College after World War II, said his son, Gary Petersen. He moved on to the University of Oregon to earn his master's degree in business, but was drafted during the Korean War. He returned to the area with his wife to raise a family. Originally he went to work for an insurance company but then parted ways with the firm and joined the real estate industry, his son said. He was licensed in WashiSClBngton and Oregon. After working for Dale Snider Realtors from 1958 to 1971 he started his brokerage, Petersen Properties. The office, formerly located at the corner of First Avenue and Poplar Street, operates with a four-person team at 318 W. Main St. "He did his best to give a good name to the term 'Realtor,'" said Gary Petersen, who has taken the helm at the firm. "Dad enjoyed a pretty good working relationship with most everybody over the years." Inland Cellular is offering training courses to help customers clear up any static when it comes to using their telephones or other wireless devices. A new monthly training program, known as Wireless 101, begins June 24 at Inland Cellular's store, 1605 S.E. Meadowbrook Blvd. in College Place. The two-hour seminars will begin at 5:30 p.m. the last Wednesday of each month. Wireless experts will lead training crash-courses on phones and other devices, troubleshoot, answer questions for customers and service phones, said Michael Mettler, marketing consultant for the locally owned and operated rural wireless communications company. He said Wireless 101 will feature complimentary refreshments and light appetizers catered by CreekTown Cafe. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by at 629-2500. A new carpentry scholarship is being assembled at Walla Walla Community College in memory of a Walla Walla man who played a key role in the local building industry. In celebration of the life and contributions of Jon Rubin, family, friends and business associates have launched the Jon and Susan Rubin Scholarship in carpentry. Rubin, who died last February, was manager of Lumbermens and then ProBuild in Walla Walla. He was a member of the advisory committee for Walla Walla Community College's carpentry program and helped steer the annual carpentry class home-building projects, according to an announcement on the scholarship. He also had a major role building sets for the Little Theatre of Walla Walla and provided counsel in adapting sets for the Walla Walla Community College summer musicals. Additionally, he spearheaded the Rotary Club of Walla Walla's gateway sign program and the welcome mural on the water tank at U.S. Highway 12 coming into town. The scholarship has been established to help carpentry program students with their tuition, so that they can excel in the construction Rubin enjoyed, according to the announcement from the school. Community members are invited to help endow the scholarship. Contributions may be made to the Walla Walla Community College Foundation, noting the Jon and Susan Rubin Scholarship. All donations are tax deductible, and the Rubin family will be notified of the contributions. For more information, call 527-4275. Strictly Business is a local business column. Vicki Hillhouse can be reached at [email protected] or 526-8321, ext. 321. To see more of the Union-Bulletin or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.union-bulletin.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |