The Kent Historical Society recently sponsored its third annual Tree City Ball at the American Legion Hall in Kent. The evening served as a testament to preserving the past for future generations while relishing new achievements.

"Preserving Community" was the theme of this year's event, which paid special tribute to Bruce and Nancy Hansford and to the Main Street Kent organization.

Sandra Halem, society president, welcomed everyone and spoke of the Hansfords' combined legacy of achievement as she presented them with the Bruening Glass Leadership Award.

Jack Amrhein, event chairman, spoke of the achievements and future promise of Main Street Kent, an organization established in January 2007 for the purpose of revitalizing downtown Kent. Accepting the award were Mary Gilbert, executive director, and committee members Doug Fuller, Don Schjeldahl and Sue Whiting.

Halem also extended appreciation to Dawn Carpenter, Kent Historical Society trustee and vice president, for the time she contributed in assembling all the materials promoting the society's "Homes for the Holidays" house tour, which drew more than 25,000 attendees.

She also expressed gratitude to another trustee, Howard Boyle II, for his service to more than 1,600 people last year. She thanked him with a gift presentation of a gardener's container of tulips.

She spoke of the many hours her husband, Henry Halem, has devoted to his "second home," the Kent Historical Society, and for the completion of the 1924 Kent Cookbook. She presented him with a gift of tulips.

The evening continued with socializing and dancing with music provided by Helen Welch and the band's accompaniment with familiar sounds from years past.