By SUSAN PARK

There are few people in Seattle who are true legacies. Lake City has more than it's share. When one retires from a prominent public position, Lake City is not to be outdone when it comes to putting on a big shin-dig.

Betty Bartholomew's life story is far too complex to be listed in this small article. We'll save that for another issue. The truth of the matter is, she's been much too busy to be properly interviewed what with all of her many jobs. Not only has she served as executive director of the Lake City Chamber for the past twenty two years, she also works for Circus Fans of America and the Lake City Task Force. You could say that she's the glue that's kept the little ol' city within a city together all these years.

Although she's retiring from the Chamber, she isn't retiring from Lake City. Quite the opposite. At an age that's far beyond normal retirement, she actually is starting a new venture - her own PR firm, "Public Relations Plus," which will fill a large void in Northeast Seattle. She will also continue her other two jobs as well as help out with Pioneer Days.

This was good news to Suzy Smith, owner of Lake City Travel, who co-chairs the Lake City Task Force.

Smith's wheels began to spin. She put the word out to all of Betty's close friends. Bess Handy of Lake City Bookkeeping, Russ Foisy of Rush Drake Insurance, Rolfe Johnson, Claire Chamberlain of Ornamental Stone, and Priscilla Droge put their heads together to come up with the perfect party.

Frosty Fowler, another of Seattle's legacies, volunteered to host the event. He and Betty go way back to his days at Shoreline Savings, now the home of Washington Mutual. For those young folks who don't know Frosty, he's a pretty important TV and radio personality. His photograph is on the wall of the radio studio on the TV show "Frasier."

Smith organized a fantastic reception at Sand Point Country Club complete with food fit for a queen. Alder baked salmon, caviar, and assorted hors d'ouerves filled a large buffet table in the Panorama Room. The word is she also slipped the weatherman a big tip that day. She began to make phone calls to make sure all of the local bigwigs could make it. Everyone pitched in where they could.

While all of the guests were assembling, the Lake City Western Vigilantes ordered a posse to go and pick up Betty from her house in their Paddy Wagon. They told Betty they were sending a limo. Instead, they picked her up in classic Lake City style.

Even if you don't know much about Lake City, the list of who's who that attended is pretty impressive. Jamie Pierre Jr. of Bill Pierre Ford; Mike Ryan of Ryan's Fine Furniture; Patty Feagin from Lake City Florist; Ken May of Benefit Plans; Omar Brown; Dave Adair from NAPA Auto Parts; Bob Sundquist of the 46th District Republicans; and Ron Palin were present, just to name a few. Various other business people, friends, and family attended.

Betty's son Shane Ushler said he has always been proud to call her mom and she always had time for her family. "She's more of a foundation, because that's what the pillar stands on."

Priscilla Droge presented Betty with her antique Emmett Kelley Clown doll that she had always cherished. Ornamental Stone presented a flower planter, and Lake City Travel wished Betty well with a $400 travel gift certificate. Tearfully, Betty said she had wondered how she was going to be able to swing an important trip this year.

Virgil Flaim of Lake City Lions and the Lake City Community Center proclaimed of Betty: "You've heard of Mr. Lake City, Well, this is Miss Lake City."

Current Lake City Chamber president, Bill Swanberg of Swanberg Realty, presented Betty with a plaque: "for 22 years of dedication managing our 3-ring circus." Past Chamber president, Russ Foisy, said that he appreciated Betty facing the difficult challenge of having to "train each one of us (yearly elected presidents) and get to know everybody's style." He added with a wink, "She made us look good. It wasn't us making us look good."

Former Miss Lake City 1989 Heidi Wills announced at the meeting that she intended to run for City Council. Both Betty and Smith took Wills under their wings to groom her for the Miss Seafair pageant.

Prominent community activist A.J. Skurdal attended with his wife Linda, former Northgate Lamonts manager, who will replace Betty as interim Executive Director.

Suzy Smith summed up the feelings of the crowd by saying, "I'm not going to say good-bye. Nobody in this room is going to say goodbye," and added that we would all see Betty out on citizen patrol for the Lake City Task Force.

Public Relations Plus phone number is 595-9163.