Elks honor former Herald publisher
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, March 18, 2004
EVERETT — It’s virtually impossible to read even an abridged list of Larry Hanson’s accomplishments and community involvement without taking a breath.
Jeanne Olsen-Estie, exalted ruler of Everett Elks Lodge No. 479, found this out Thursday evening when she announced Hanson as the Elks’ citizen of the year.
"He’s just such a community leader," she said. "He’s an asset to the community, youth and education — all the things Elks are big on."
Hanson is a former publisher of The Herald who retired in 2001 after 45 years at the paper. He started work as a messenger boy when he was in college.
Hanson was recently named interim president of the United Way of Snohomish County after being a longtime volunteer.
He was invited to the Elks’ spaghetti dinner and awards banquet unaware that he was an honoree.
"What a surprise!" he said. "Thank you. I’m really honored."
Hanson said Everett was a loving and supportive community to grow up in. Over the years, he attended many gatherings in the Elks lodge on Rucker Avenue.
"I have great memories of this place," he said, adding that many of the memories are of all the Elks do for the community.
Hanson has been widely honored in the county by groups ranging from the Snohomish County Boys &Girls Club to WorkSource Snohomish County.
In 2002, he won the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for his community involvement.
There’s even an award named after him, the Larry Hanson Community MVP Award.
"He’s a real sweetheart," Olsen-Estie said. "Above and beyond, he meets the call. He’s all the things that we believe in."
The Elks also honored some of its own members, the Everett fire and police departments, Campfire Boys and Girls, and Eagle Scout David Green.
Green is a senior at Cascade High School who for his Eagle project built bat houses for arboretums and parks. Bat colonies are attracted to the boxes, and in turn get rid of mosquitoes.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or
