Lakewood Historical Society, Phil Raschke and Steve Dunkelberger Win Heritage League Awards

Big news for Patch friends and local historians Phil Raschke, Steve Dunkelberger and the Lakewood Historical Society.

They were all winners of the Heritage League of Pierce County's Third Annual Recognition Awards, which were presented recently at the Washington State Hisotry Museum.

The Lakewood Historical Society received the Heritage League 2012 Institutional Achievement Award for its acclaimed "The Future Remembered" program, which highlighted the 50th Anniversary of the Seattle World's Fair and related events in the Lakewood area. The program included a special, 12-page edition of the Society's "Prairie Gazette" newsletter. Becky Huber, President of the Lakewood Historical Society accepted the award.

Lakewood resident Phil Raschke received the League's "Community Connections" award for his "Historical Phil" radio series, which airs daily at 9:30 a.m. on KLAY Radio, 1180 AM. The "Historical Phil" show provides Pierce County listeners with a daily historical look at interesting people and events in the Pierce County area. Cited programs included "Tacoma's Old Women's Gulch", "The Cushman Indian School and Hospital", "Spanaway, How a Unique City Got Its Unique Name" and "Early Steilacoom Pioneer Laura Belle Downey Bartlett." Raschke is one of the original members of the Lakewood Arts Commission and a Board member of the Lakewood Playhouse.

Local journalist and historian Steve Dunkelberger received the League's "Heritage Advocate Award" for his books, numerous feature writings, lectures and his untiring efforts to preserve the local history of the area. Dunkelberger was one of the original founders of the Lakewood Historical Society and a former Board member of the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association. He is currently the Chair of Lakewood's Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board. Dunkelberger along with Walter Neary co-authored the "Images of America" book on the history of Lakewood. The book is currently on sale at the Lakewood History Museum.

Karen Hass, President and Master of Ceremonies made the awards following recommendations from the League's awards committee.

The Heritage League of Pierce County helps gives voice and exposure to more than 44 historical organizations located within Pierce County. Guest speaker for the event was Bennish Brown, President and CEO of the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.