Chamber gives accolades

By Phil Cobb | January 29, 2015 |

KAITY HOLTMAN/DAILY FORUM
The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Tuesday night at the Maryville Country Club. Outgoing Chamber President Sean Sheil, left, also passed the gavel to new Chamber President Jeff Bram.

The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce and more than 100 guests celebrated a successful year and honored award winners at the 2015 Annual Banquet Tuesday at the Maryville Country Club.

The 2015 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. Gerald Wilmes for his many years of service to SSM Home Care Hospice, Northwest Missouri State University, St. Francis Hospital and Health Services and northwest Missouri’s athletic teams.

The Chamber’s Business of the Year award was presented to the Maryville Daily Forum in celebration of its return to local ownership and reestablishment as Maryville’s daily newspaper.

Bruce Twaddle accepted the Community Service Award on behalf of the Tom Watson Junior Golf Course Committee. Twaddle was recognized as a driving force in the project’s constant forward motion.

Debbie Easterla was named the winner of the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Good Citizen Award for leading the annual community-wide garage sale fundraiser for the Nodaway County Sherriff’s Department’s K-9 program.

The Spearhead award was presented to Beth Hawkins, outgoing board member, for her six years on the board and for her action and leadership role in a variety of Chamber activities.

Outgoing Chamber President Sean Sheil provided remarks about his year as board president and performed the traditional passing of the gavel to the incoming 2015 president, Jeff Bram of Bram Funeral Home.

Chamber Director Jordyn Swalley spoke about the success of the 2014 Home and Better Living Show, the revamped Downtown Sounds Summer Concert and Event Series, and the introduction of First Friday Coffee events.

“Through a survey last year, we found that out of 97 respondents, 71 percent believe the Chamber’s main purpose is to promote the community through marketing, tourism and events.”

Swalley said this year the Chamber will focus on adding Lunch and Learn events and quarterly socials to their calendar.

KAITY HOLTMAN/DAILY FORUM
The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Tuesday night at the Maryville Country Club. The Spearhead award was given to Beth Hawkins.

KAITY HOLTMAN/DAILY FORUM
The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Tuesday night at the Maryville Country Club. Debbie Easterla was presented with the Good Citizen Award

KAITY HOLTMAN/DAILY FORUM
The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Tuesday night at the Maryville Country Club. The Distinguished Service award, presented to Dr. Gerald Wilmes of SSM Home Care and Hospice.

Bruce Twaddle accepted the Community Service Organization award on behalf of the Tom Watson Junior Golf Course Committee.

The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Tuesday night at the Maryville Country Club. Awards presented included the Business of the Year, presented to the Maryville Daily Forum.