Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

It was standing room only at Paradise Cove on Monday evening as the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce honored Cheryl and Lanny Borthick, of Kernville, with the Man and Woman of the Year Awards. Five generations of the Borthick family were on hand to be a part of the couple’s special recognition.

Receiving the award, a teary-eyed Cheryl said, “I am totally overwhelmed. We are just ordinary people. It is truly an honor to be recognized like this.” Lanny mirrored his wife’s sentiments stating, “Thank you so much for this honor. So many of you in this audience would also be deserving of this award.”

Newly installed President of the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rex Emerson, left, presents Cheryl and Lanny Borthick, of Kernville, with their 2010 Man and Woman of the Year awards at Paradise Cove Monday evening.

Newly installed Chamber President Rex Emerson explained, “This event was created by the Chamber years ago to acknowledge a man and woman in the valley that have made major contributions to valley life.” He went on to add, “It is important to recognize all of the hard work that the Borthicks have done as well as their ongoing efforts to make the valley a better place to live.”

Jeanette Rogers narrated an after dinner slide show chronicling the Borthicks’ life in the valley during the past 38 years. Rogers noted the couple moved to the Kern River Valley in 1972 with their three young children in tow. And it didn’t take long for Cheryl and Lanny to make their marks on the valley’s business community, first Lanny with his general contracting business and then Cheryl with the building and opening of Cheryl’s Diner in Kernville in 1985.

Since that time, the Kernville couple, who recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary, has played a key role in many aspects of Kern Valley life. Cheryl has been co-director of the valley chapter of the Sweet Adelines for 37 years, along with her sister Francine Stirling and mother Nelda Bartell. She has also been the choir director of Mountain View Church for the past decade.

They joined the Kernville Chamber of Commerce in 1985 and although they were members, the couple didn’t become actively engaged until 1989. At that time, they were approached by Jack White who thought one of them should be on the Board of Directors. Lanny rose to the occasion and subsequently held the position of president of the Chamber for 10 years, from 1990-2000.

Lanny said he was proud to see his wife follow in his footsteps as president from 2006-2009. Cheryl currently serves as vice president and remains very active in her role with the Chamber, chairing committees, such as Whiskey Flat Days. Cheryl also serves on the board of Kern River Valley Revitalization (KRVR).

Since stepping down form his presidency, Lanny has taken a more behind the scenes approach, often assisting with planning and building projects. Lanny designed and is spearheading the effort to build a gazebo in Circle Park in 2010.

“It is truly wonderful to be able to present Lanny and Cheryl with this award,” said Supervisor Jon McQuisiton. “After having worked with both of them throughout the years, I can say without a doubt that they are truly deserving of this.”

On a more personal note, Nelda Bartell, matriarch of the Borthick clan, stated, “I couldn’t be prouder of Cheryl and Lanny. They truly deserve this honor tonight.” Viann Taylor, Lanny’s older sister, traveled from her home in Campbell, Calif., with her son to attend the big occasion. Taylor said she wouldn’t have missed the special night for the world, adding “Lanny is like our dad reincarnated. He always has an eye out for those he can help. I have never had a crisis or illness that both he and Cheryl haven’t been there for me. That’s just the way they are.”

Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s field representative Ben McFarland took honors for the corniest comment of the evening with, “I can see why everyone enjoys Cheryl’s Diner so much. Lanny and Cheryl are the salt of the earth.”