Butterfield B&B, Innkeepers Tapped for JMA's Top Honor
By Ruth Lepper

Ruth Lepper, right, presented Dawn and Ed Glass with a plaque for Merchant of the Year. Photos by Carol Kinney

To say that Ed and Dawn Glass were speechless when they heard their names announced is an understatement. Flabbergasted, is more like it.

The couple, along with Butterfield Bed & Breakfast, was named Merchant of the Year for 2007 on July 18 by Julian Merchants Association at its annual dinner meeting.

They were selected for the honor because of their ideals of business leadership since moving to Julian nine years ago. They are the owners/innkeepers of Butterfield Bed & Breakfast and Black Oak Cabin.

Scott Baker, JMA board member and current president of Julian Bed & Breakfast Guild, called the Glasses "outstanding contributors to the Julian business community."

JMA president Tracy Turner agreed with the selection: "Dawn and Ed are true entrepreneurs. They are very involved in the community. They show up and support every event. They shop local. And their business is one of the most wonderful examples of a professionally run establishment. I am very happy they will be our representatives for the coming year."

Mike Menghini installed the Julian Merchant Association Board of Directors. Shown from left: Mike Menghini, Tracy Turner, Michele Harvey, Patty Strong, Alan Marvin, Scott Baker, Ruth Lepper, Bobbi Zane, Patricia McConnell and Ginger Ranck.

The Glasses also were honored last year when Butterfield B&B was named "Outstanding Inn in the Southwest and West" by BedandBreakfasts.com, an international online reservation network. In addition, the inn has received the prestigious three-diamond rating from the American Automobile Association.

This is the second year Julian Merchants Association has honored a Merchant of the Year. Mike Menghini, owner of Menghini Winery and past president of the association, was last year's selection.

Along with the honor that goes along with the award, the Glasses will serve as goodwill ambassadors for 2007-2008. They also received a year's membership in the association, a floral presentation bouquet and a symbolic "Key to the Town."

Ed Glass also received a Certificate of Appreciation from Turner, for his work as one of the "Boom Boys" for Country Christmas. Menghini was presented with a certificate for being the other "Boom Boy." The complimentary title is for their volunteerism to trim the 80-foot tree for Country Christmas, using an extended boom to reach the top, a job they have been doing for several years.

Toni Menghini was another recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation for her work with Country Christmas.

Tori Stark was tapped for being a volunteer to sell advertisements for the JMA cookbook that will benefit Country Christmas.

Other certificates were presented to: Carol and Darrel Kinney for publishing the Julian Guide; Becky Gambril, of Soundings, for all she has done for the JMA; Krissie Morgan, of Julian Chamber of Commerce for her assistance with JMA; and the JMA board of directors, including Melony Vance, who served the board as treasurer before moving away from the area earlier this year, and Elke Mussen, board secretary who opted not to seek re-election.

Mike Menghini, as outgoing Merchant of the Year 2006, installed the JMA directors: newly elected Ginger Ranck; Alan Marvin; Patty Strong; Bobbi Zane; Michele Harvey; Patricia McConnell; Ruth Lepper; Baker; and Turner.