Annual Chamber dinner brings people together

People attending Thursday evening's annual Callaway Chamber of Commerce banquet were presented with the shiny new 2019 Community Profile and Membership Directory.
People attending Thursday evening's annual Callaway Chamber of Commerce banquet were presented with the shiny new 2019 Community Profile and Membership Directory.

People attending Thursday evening's annual Callaway Chamber of Commerce banquet were presented with the shiny new 2019 Community Profile and Membership Directory.

Promoted as an "Evening of Excellence," Executive Director Tamara Tateosian said the event was all about excellence found in Callaway County.

"Our community profile is coming out, and that's exciting," she said.

She was echoed by Kim Barnes, president and CEO of The Callaway Bank.

The chamber's successes, and thus, the community's, can be measured by outcomes and seeing sustainable programs grow over time, Barnes said.

"Our collaborations and partnerships are working," she added. "Our county seems to be holding it's own, and to me, that's excellence."

The chamber's evening began with networking and dinner, catered by KACO, was Italian cuisine with a vegan/gluten-free ravioli option.

Tateosian gave a recap of 2018 activities, and then the main attraction: Who won all the awards?

"We had twice as many awards we've given away," she noted, adding recipients had no idea what was coming. "It's a surprise and it catches them off guard."

She also was recognized by her chamber board for her work in growing the organization during the last three years.

"We lead, we create some ideas, but you are the faces of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce," Tateosian said. "It's not just me and Bruce and Tina (her work partners) - it's all of you."

A special award was given to Rodney Latty - a three-year chamber board member who is leaving - replaced by Steve Gibson, of Dollar General Distribution.

"It has been my honor to serve with him on the chamber board," Marty Martin-Forman said.

Ambassador of the Year is Judy Ebersole. Ambassadors represent the chamber at ribbon cuttings and other important events.

"She was voted on by 40-plus ambassadors unanimously," Tateosian said. "She's always helpful getting things starting. She's always early for ribbon-cuttings, too."

Crane's Country Store of Williamsburg was named Small Business of the Year. They're celebrating 130 years in business, Tateosian said.

David Crane accepted the award, speaking for a moment about shopping local.

"We won't exist if you don't come buy a balogna sandwich and a Coke," Crane said. "It's a big circle; we need the county to work, to work for us."

Large Business of the Year was presented to PFSbrands, a food service business headquartered in Holts Summit. The parent company of Champs Chicken and more, PFSbrands is 100 percent employee owned and services retailers in 38 states.

The Allen Conner Youth Award went to North Callaway Football team members.

"They've done a lot of things for the community this year," Tateosian said, adding they've helped set up for events, participated in the iCan Bike Camp and Relay for Life.

J.H. Atkinson Award was presented to Nancy Hanson of iCan Bike Camp.

Callaway Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award was given to Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton.

Loyal Subject Award went posthumously to William "Willie" Boyd, of Fulton.

In her nomination of Boyd, Jamie Oestreich wrote: "Willie was a tremendous asset to this community, both in business and in service. His contributions, legacy and loyalty to our county should serve as an inspiration to us all. Willie was a very humble man, and is probably kicking us tonight for this award. The greatest way we can honor all that was Willie Boyd is to live life, love one another and never forget the things that make Callaway a wonderful place to run a business and raise a family."

Boyd, the former president of Boyd & Boyd title company and a graduate of Westminster College, died Dec. 28.

Many people in the community participated in nominations for these awards, Tateosian said.

"I think we got three or four nominations per award, which was great," she added.

Finally, a $500 Innovative Teaching grant was presented to Bethany Moabes, director of vocal music at Fulton Middle School.

Sponsored by Westminster College and William Woods University, the grant was designed to provide support for a new teacher to use innovation in designing classroom activities. All Callaway County teachers with no more than five years of experience were invited to apply.

Moabes directs Hornet Singers (eighth grade), Hornet Pride (seventh grade), Harmony Hornets (after school choir) and Arts Alive (musical theater classes). She also teaches general music courses, as well as Career Exploration. She is also the music director at First Christian Church in Fulton.

The grant will go to support the Fulton Middle School dinner theater project, which is a cross-curricular project for all seventh-grade students that incorporates community partnerships with local businesses. The goal of the project is to use the arts to help students explore many course subjects, while they learn to enjoy this expressive outlet.