On this final day of 2012, what better time to remember – and give kudos to once again – some of the outstanding individuals who live, work and contribute to this community.

Here is a list (by no means inclusive) of some of 2012’s well-deserved honorees:

Athena Award: Ranae McCauley, a community development specialist for the Michigan State University Extension office in Kalkaska County. McCauley is a co-founder of the Traverse Bay Area Poverty Reduction Initiative.

Hotelier of the Year (MI Lodging & Tourism Assoc.): Alex Mowczan, owner of the Best Western Four Seasons, Comfort Inn and Cambria Suites of Traverse City.

Realtor of the Year (TAAR): Matt Case, vice president of business development for the Coldwell Banker Schmidt Family of Companies.

NMC Fellow Award (the college’s highest honor): Hettie Molvang, nursing instructor from 1974 to 1994; also made personal loans to struggling students so they could continue their education.

TART Trails’ Jim Mudgett Trail Pioneer Award: Frank Noverr, instrumental in both the initial development of the Leelanau Trail and its final paving campaign.

TC Chamber’s Outstanding Educator Award recipients: Patricia Brumbaugh, TCAPS; Krista Gusler, TCAPS; Dawn Iott, Pathfinder School; Molly Klettner, GTACS; Jill Lutz, Frankfort-Elberta Schools; Peter Milne, Benzie Central Schools; Karen Reister, TBAISD; Pat Rutt, TCAPS; Terry Starr, Elk Rapids Schools; Leslie Summers, GTACS; Andy Wolfe, TBAISD.

Michigan’s “Fierce Heart” Award for Young Children: Mary Manner, Traverse Bay Area Great Start Collaborative coordinator.

NMC Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award: Kristy McDonald, a business instructor and Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award: John Biolchini, a maritime instructor.

Administrative Professional of the Year (local IAAP chapter): Sherrie Monks, a senior administrative assistant at Rehmann in Traverse City.

Grand Vision Housing Leadership Award: Cheryl Naperala, who in 1987 helped start the Foundation for Mental Health, which began to address the problem of homelessness among the mentally ill in the region.

Grand Visionary Awards: Joe and Leah Hannen Short of Short’s Brewing Co.; Wayne Kladder, former supervisor of Acme Township; George and Sally Shetler of Shetler’s Family Dairy; Ian Plamondon, Suttons Bay High School 2012 grad.

NMC Outstanding Alumni honorees: Kathleen McManus, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Munson Medical Center; Steven Rawlings, regional manager of corporate and government affairs for DTE Energy; and Timothy Young, founder, president and chef of Food For Thought.

Munson Hospice Volunteers of the Year: Mary Mintz of Grand Traverse County, Perry Boothroyd of Leelanau County and Kristen Fuller of Kalkaska County.

TCBN’s 40 Under 40 – the annual list of the forty most influential people under age 40 in the region: Leah Bagdon McCallum, Derek Bailey, Allison Beers, Mitchell Blue, Colleen Brzozowski, Matt Case, Mike Coco, Kandace Chapple, Julie Clark, Nathan Elkins, Kevin Endres, Laura Galbraith, Holly Hack, Chris Hale, Jason Jones, Megan Kelto, Kristen Lynne, Benjamin Marentette, Peter Marinoff, Matt McCauley, Janie McNabb, Brian Mitchell, Brooke Nettz, Megan Olds, Colleen Paveglio, Jon Plummer, Norman Plumstead, Alex Rheinheimer, Mike Schmidt, Jen Semna, Joe Short, Carmen Stevens, Rebecca Teahen, Trevor Tkach, Chris Treter, Ryan Wells, Katy Wiesen, Matthew Wiesen, Tonya Wildfong, Kerry Winkler.