PREBLE COUNTY – On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the Preble County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate 2019 and recognize this year’s chamber award winners during the 38th annual PCCC Awards Dinner & Holiday Gala.
“The number of nominations from the public and area businesses was up this year in several categories, which is exciting — we know there are individuals and businesses who’ve done great things this past year,” PCCC Executive Director Leslie Collins said in a recent press release.
“Preble County has so many hidden gems, from our internationally-known local manufacturers to unique boutiques and restaurants,” she added. “The Preble County Chamber of Commerce has had another outstanding year, and we’re ready to celebrate and honor these businesses, individuals and nonprofits who have made Preble County what it is today.”
Nominations were accepted through Friday, Nov. 1, both from the public and Preble County Chamber of Commerce members. Nominations were tallied on Monday, Nov. 4.
Awards to be given this year include: Outstanding Corporate Citizen of the Year, Outstanding Small Business Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Outstanding Agribusiness of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Community Improvement Award, Distinguished Service Award, Non-Profit Innovation Award and the Ray Potter Legacy Award. Two new additional awards to be presented include the 2019 Educator of the Year, and 2019 Public Servant of the Year. Other special PC Chamber-specific awards are also planned.
Nominees submitted included (in no particular order):
Citizen of the Year: Brenda Mezz, Lisa Chandler, Angie Getter, Marsha Jones
Community Improvement Award: Preble County Art Association, The Star Theatre, Brick Rhod Bistro, The Lampost, Heritage Financial
Distinguished Service Award: Becky Sorrell, Bruce Barnes, Dan Appenzeller
Non-Profit Innovation Award: Community Action Partnership/Janelle Caron, Preble County Historical Society, The Star Theatre, Wildhearts African Farm, The Once Around Shop/Common Good of Preble County, Jacob’s Ladder
Outstanding Agribusiness: Safari Junction/Jamie Beneke, Today’s Harvest, Olde Schoolhouse Winery, Lawn Plus
Outstanding Corporate Citizen: TimkenSteel/John Liddy, Preble County Medical Center (Kettering/Grandview,) Cargill/Provimi, Larkin Cobb Chevrolet/Ed Larkin
Outstanding Small Business Citizen: Preble County Chiropractic/Dr. Matt Roberts, Harris Maggard Memorials, New Paris Antique Mall/Keith Kelly, Ruby June/Molly Adams, Brick Rhod Antiques/Bistro, My Arrow Princess/Jessica Taylor
The Ray Potter Legacy Award: Dale Moberly Sr., Brenda Mezz, Jake Early, Gene Lindley
Young Professional of the Year: Todd Appledorn, BJ Price, Alexa Joyce, Amanda Badger, Vicky Fanberg, Misti Spillman
Public Servant of the Year: Robert (BJ) Sewert, Sgt. Dave Sizemore, Marsha Shannon, TCN SRO Dillon Gilbert
Educator of the Year: Sylvia Arcuragi, Harold Niehaus, Joe Finkbine
“The nominations will be narrowed down to the top three finalists in each category,” Collins explained. “Those individuals and business representatives will be notified soon, so watch the Preble County Chamber’s website and Facebook page for announcements. Award recipients won’t be announced until the night of the gala, to add to the excitement of the evening.”
The Preble County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards & Holiday Gala will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Grand Lodge at Wildnerness Ridge Retreat Center on Swann Beatty Road outside Camden. Tickets are on sale now at www.preblecountyohio.com. Reservations can also be made by calling 937-456-4949 or emailing [email protected].
Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. (Tickets are $35 per person. A special discount for a table for eight is available.)
“This is going be a fantastic night to recognize outstanding people,” Collins said last week. “This year the committee, with the help of presenting sponsors Reid Health and Wilderness Ridge, has upped its gala game, and from the meal to the elegance of the formal evening, we’re ready to shine and show off the members, businesses, and organizations who make Preble County a great place to live, and do business.”
“It’s going to be an event you don’t want to miss,” she added.
Along with dinner and presentation of awards to this year’s winners, there will also be a silent auction.
Reservations for the evening are being accepted through Friday, Nov. 22.
Any business, organization or individual wishing to donate silent auction items to add to the bidding fun should email Collins at [email protected], or drop off items at the chamber office, located at 122 W. Decatur St., Eaton.
