Margrit Holmes, owner of Arrow Photo, was honored Saturday with the Don Melby Ethics in Business Award by The Rotary Club of Santa Maria Noon, and longtime business owner, missionary and mentor Larry Farewell was recognized with the Peacebuilder Award.
The awards were presented at the Rotary club's first Sips 'n Sombreros event since the pandemic in 2020, held at the Santa Maria Country Club in partnership with the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, with more than 225 people attending.
The Don Melby Ethics in Business Award honors a local business for its high ethical standards and adherence to the Rotary 4-way Test. The award was established in honor of Donald Melby, a longtime Rotarian and respected local businessman who owned Melby Jewelers.
The awards were presented at the Rotary club's first Sips 'n Sombreros event since the pandemic in 2020, held at the Santa Maria Country Club in partnership with the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, with more than 225 people attending.
The Don Melby Ethics in Business Award honors a local business for its high ethical standards and adherence to the Rotary 4-way Test. The award was established in honor of Donald Melby, a longtime Rotarian and respected local businessman who owned Melby Jewelers.
Past honorees include Judge Rogelio Flores; Lisa and David Tonello, owners of the Bike Barn; philanthropists Ted and Cheryl Maddux, third generation McDonald's owner/operators in the Santa Maria area; and Jim Nishimori founder and owner of Nishimori Landscape and Design Inc.
Holmes accepted the award, presented by Noon Rotary Club President Marga Cooley, with employee Kayla Newman, who has worked with Holmes for 14 years.
"When I first started working for Margrit, she had just taken over the business from the previous owner, Hank Datter. From the beginning, it was clear that she had a strong vision and a plan to take Arrow Photo further than it had ever gone before," said Newman.
"She made bold, strategic decisions — like transitioning away from the camera store — which I believe was both pivotal and vital to the company’s growth and longevity.
"Arrow Photo has always held a very special place in Margrit’s heart. She pours her heart and soul into everything she does," Newman continued. "Since taking over in 2011, she has carried on and strengthened the legacy of a business that has been a proud part of Santa Maria since 1943. Margrit is truly the driving force behind a company that has deep roots and a lasting impact within our community."
The Peacebuilder award is given when the work of the honoree to bridge divides and build peace is self-evident. Having worked for years as a Jack-in-the-Box franchise owner, a missionary, and mentor to young and old alike, Farewell founded the My Place Coffee Shop in 2023 and started The Gathering, which operated each Sunday under the City Serve Hungry Ministry through Pacific Christian Center.
The collaborative effort was powered by faith, compassion, and countless hours of volunteer work, providing at minimum 4,062 meals, 743 showers, and 201 haircuts free of charge, before closing in July this year.
Farewell was unable to attend due to illness, and his award was accepted by longtime friends Mark Evans, and Rotary club past-presidents Yvonne Biely and Tom Martinez.
"There's a whole world of people in this community who have benefitted from Larry's participation here. I know they are all very grateful. Some of them have forgotten the works that he's done, I'm sure, but I don't," Evans said in a video tribute, before accepting the award for Farewell.
"I don't forget the time that I spent with him and what he taught me about life, living well, living generously and living humbly. I think I took a lot of those lessons with me, and have carried them forward for my entire life."
"Larry Farewell, the man that we honor tonight never asked for thanks or fanfare," Evans continued. "You are a wonderful mentor and a happy giver and server in this community. You are well loved, and your teachings will last far beyond the years that we've spent together. I love you Larry, I really love you."
Dignitaries at the event included Rotary District #5240 Governor Mike Dutra, Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino, Fire Chief Brad Dandridge, Police Chief Christopher Williams, Judge Karen O'Neil, Kathy Glines, wife of the late Jim Glines, Jay Connor, Evening Rotary Club president, Santa Maria Public Airport manager Martin Pehl and airport board members, and Shannon Seifert, CEO of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA.
Also during the evening master of ceremonies 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and auctioneer Taylor Glines, granddaughter of the late Jim Glines, raised money for the Rotary club's Jim Glines Memorial Scholarship during a live auction, and a paddle raise benefitted the YMCA RiseUp Program.
RiseUp, a program administered by the YMCA, was introduced by Noon Rotary Club President-elect Richard Batalla, who oversees the program as the Y's youth development director.
Batalla described the program, which benefits underserved children, as "changing the story before it's written."
"These children come from homes where poverty, violence and isolation are too often part of daily life ... We reach these kids at a time when it matters most — before entering third grade — before the world starts telling them who they can't be," Batalla said.
"The truth is, when a child finds their spark early, they find hope, and hope changes everything."
Entertainment and live Mariachi vocals were presented by Josue Hernandez.
Photo Captions:
1. From left, Sips 'n Sombreros master of ceremonies 5th District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, Don Melby Ethics in Business Award honoree and Arrow Photo owner Margrit Holmes, Arrow Photo employee Kayla Newman and The Rotary Club of Santa Maria, Noon President Marga Cooley Saturday night after the award presentation.
2. Mariachi Josue Hernandez performs at Sips 'n Sombreros Nov. 1.
Holmes accepted the award, presented by Noon Rotary Club President Marga Cooley, with employee Kayla Newman, who has worked with Holmes for 14 years.
"When I first started working for Margrit, she had just taken over the business from the previous owner, Hank Datter. From the beginning, it was clear that she had a strong vision and a plan to take Arrow Photo further than it had ever gone before," said Newman.
"She made bold, strategic decisions — like transitioning away from the camera store — which I believe was both pivotal and vital to the company’s growth and longevity.
"Arrow Photo has always held a very special place in Margrit’s heart. She pours her heart and soul into everything she does," Newman continued. "Since taking over in 2011, she has carried on and strengthened the legacy of a business that has been a proud part of Santa Maria since 1943. Margrit is truly the driving force behind a company that has deep roots and a lasting impact within our community."
The Peacebuilder award is given when the work of the honoree to bridge divides and build peace is self-evident. Having worked for years as a Jack-in-the-Box franchise owner, a missionary, and mentor to young and old alike, Farewell founded the My Place Coffee Shop in 2023 and started The Gathering, which operated each Sunday under the City Serve Hungry Ministry through Pacific Christian Center.
The collaborative effort was powered by faith, compassion, and countless hours of volunteer work, providing at minimum 4,062 meals, 743 showers, and 201 haircuts free of charge, before closing in July this year.
Farewell was unable to attend due to illness, and his award was accepted by longtime friends Mark Evans, and Rotary club past-presidents Yvonne Biely and Tom Martinez.
"There's a whole world of people in this community who have benefitted from Larry's participation here. I know they are all very grateful. Some of them have forgotten the works that he's done, I'm sure, but I don't," Evans said in a video tribute, before accepting the award for Farewell.
"I don't forget the time that I spent with him and what he taught me about life, living well, living generously and living humbly. I think I took a lot of those lessons with me, and have carried them forward for my entire life."
"Larry Farewell, the man that we honor tonight never asked for thanks or fanfare," Evans continued. "You are a wonderful mentor and a happy giver and server in this community. You are well loved, and your teachings will last far beyond the years that we've spent together. I love you Larry, I really love you."
Dignitaries at the event included Rotary District #5240 Governor Mike Dutra, Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino, Fire Chief Brad Dandridge, Police Chief Christopher Williams, Judge Karen O'Neil, Kathy Glines, wife of the late Jim Glines, Jay Connor, Evening Rotary Club president, Santa Maria Public Airport manager Martin Pehl and airport board members, and Shannon Seifert, CEO of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA.
Also during the evening master of ceremonies 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and auctioneer Taylor Glines, granddaughter of the late Jim Glines, raised money for the Rotary club's Jim Glines Memorial Scholarship during a live auction, and a paddle raise benefitted the YMCA RiseUp Program.
RiseUp, a program administered by the YMCA, was introduced by Noon Rotary Club President-elect Richard Batalla, who oversees the program as the Y's youth development director.
Batalla described the program, which benefits underserved children, as "changing the story before it's written."
"These children come from homes where poverty, violence and isolation are too often part of daily life ... We reach these kids at a time when it matters most — before entering third grade — before the world starts telling them who they can't be," Batalla said.
"The truth is, when a child finds their spark early, they find hope, and hope changes everything."
Entertainment and live Mariachi vocals were presented by Josue Hernandez.
Photo Captions:
1. From left, Sips 'n Sombreros master of ceremonies 5th District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, Don Melby Ethics in Business Award honoree and Arrow Photo owner Margrit Holmes, Arrow Photo employee Kayla Newman and The Rotary Club of Santa Maria, Noon President Marga Cooley Saturday night after the award presentation.
2. Mariachi Josue Hernandez performs at Sips 'n Sombreros Nov. 1.
