Businesses Recognize Their Own
The Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group hosted their 135th Annual Banquet on Thursday evening.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – For the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group and it’s members, choosing those to honor can be a difficult task.
For 135 years, the Chamber has gathered for it’s annual banquet, and to honor those who were selected by their peers.
The commerce committee of the Oskaloosa Chamber that decides and votes on who the spotlight will shine upon that year. “I’m really glad it’s a committee,” says Oskaloosa Chamber Director Valinn McReynolds. “It’s good to talk those [decisions] though, because there are a lot of people who are deserving those awards. Especially the Citizen of the Year.”
“It’s a hard decision, and so I’m glad I don’t have to make it myself,” says McReynolds.
For McReynolds, who talked about the changes that have taken place to not only the banquet, but with the Chamber over the past year.
For the banquet, the William Penn University cafeteria was chosen this year based upon the need for additional room from the previous location. McReynolds said that last year’s banquet was sold out, and people had to be turned away. “That’s never a good thing,” said McReynolds of the space constraint.
Out at Osky Golf the next day, the Oskaloosa Chamber hosted its annual golf tournament. Those dollars raised from the tournament supply $500 scholarships to 18 Mahaska County high school seniors.
Some of those scholarships are funded entirely by some area businesses, while others have the funds raised from the tournament.
McReynolds said that she and the Chamber are always looking for input on new events, while also continuing traditional events. New volunteers are always welcome, “for fresh energy and to shake things up,” says McReynolds.
Some traditional events like Friday After Five are being revamped this year, with one Friday night each month playing host.
The winners from the Thursday night banquet are as follows;
Diplomat Awards
Old Oak Award – Jaarsma Bakery
Acorn Award – Lindsay’s Chatterbox
Golden Dipper, Runner Up – Cindy Reed-Shull
Golden Dipper – Pat McCulley
Commerce Awards
Retail Business of the Year – Crow Row Antiques
Service Business of the Year – Klyn’s Tire Service
Industry of the Year – Oskaloosa Engineering and Manufacturing
Business Person of the Year – Joshua Buckingham
Community Improvement Award – Debbie’s Celebration Barn
Educator of the Year – Bruce and Denise Mc Lellan
Non Profit Business of the Year – Fine Arts and Cultural Events
Yard of the Year – Wayne and Janet Nielsen
Up and Comer – Chris Onthank
Citizen of the Year – H. Craig Coen
Main Street Award
Main Street Volunteer of the Year – Emily Russell
Mahaska County Agricultural and Rural Development
Mahaska Young Professional of the Year – Dylan Mulfinger
Mahaska Community Development Group
Economic Development Project of the Year – RP Support America, Inc.
