Annual Chamber Banquet full of awards for local businesses

Above, Jacob Brower, of Archer’s Bow Media, and Jon Horner, of Security Bank, share a laugh while getting their plates of food catered by new chamber member Flat Creek Restaurant at the annual banquet.

Motivational speaker Terry Jamieson was the special speaker at this year’s Cassville Chamber banquet.

Crowder College was named Business of the Year at the banquet for 20 years in the community and a major $2.1 million expansion underway. Pictured, from left to right: Ben Lindley, incoming chamber president; Angela Seymour, Crowder College; and Rick Ragsdale, outgoing chamber president.

Tomblin’s in Cassville was honored by the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce for 55 years in business. They also received a special resolution from Senator David Sater. Pictured, from left to right: Ben Lindley, incoming chamber president; Maddie Stephenson and Dana Kammerlohr, of Tomblin’s; and Rick Ragsdale, outgoing chamber president.

Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Joe Luney. Pictured, from left to right: Ben Lindley, incoming chamber president; Luney; and Rick Ragsdale, outgoing chamber president.

Cassville Chamber Business Leader of the Year was awarded to Traci Mitchell, of Cassville Schools. From left to right: Ben Lindley, incoming chamber president; Mitchell; and Rick Ragsdale, outgoing chamber president.

Outgoing chamber board members were honored at the banquet, as well. Pictured, from left to right: Rick Ragsdale, Laura Holycross, Devon Forsyth, and Ryan Stockton.

Freedom Bank was honored for 20 years in business at the banquet. Pictured from left to right: Ben Lindley, incoming chamber president; Stan Kelley, Freedom Bank; and Rick Ragsdale, outgoing chamber president.

Peddlers RV Park also was awarded the Beautification Award at the banquet on Saturday night.

January 22, 2020
Charlea Estes-Jones

If anyone needed proof that Cassville businesses are getting things done, you need look no further than the lineup of awards given at this year's annual Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce banquet. This year's banquet included honoring three businesses for milestone anniversaries, a volunteer of the year, two beautification awards, and a business  leader of the year. All of those awards came along with a catered meal, motivational speaker Terry Jamieson, and a silent auction with plenty of choices for anyone's tastes.

During the full evening, guests also enjoyed broasted chicken, sides and desserts from Flat Creek Restaurant, one of the newest chamber members.

This year’s awards started with milestone recognitions for area businesses. The first award was handed out to Oak Hill Court. Jon and Sharon Sanders, of Oak Hill Court, celebrated ten years in business this year.

Next up was Freedom Bank with recognition for its 20th year anniversary. Freedom Bank has expanded to five locations.

The third milestone award was presented to Tomblin’s, which celebrated 55 years in business in the Cassville community. Senator David Sater also sent a resolution to  the banquet to honor Tomblin’s for the number of years they’ve been in business.

Next, Chamber director Rachael Selby Freeman presented the award for the Business of the Year. This year’s business of the year was Crowder College. Crowder celebrated 20 years in the Cassville community and also rolled out a huge facility expansion that will total around $2.1 million when complete.

Two Beautification Awards were presented this year. One went to Mike and Debbie Ball and Advanced Physical Therapy for the 5th Street improvement, and the other went to Peddlers RV Park for the improvement on their property that sits along Highway 112 near Roaring River State Park

Awards also went to Traci Mitchell, co-director of learning at Cassville R-IV Schools, as the Business Leader of the Year, and Joe Luney, as Volunteer of the Year.

Mitchell was honored for her ability to balance between business foresight, performance and character as well as vision, courage, integrity and humility. Mitchell was honored for her positive attitude and approach at the school as well as in the community.

The Volunteer of the Year Joe Luney was honored because 2020 will be the 20th year he will lend his talents and time during the Cassville Parade. While we can’t publish exactly who Luney dresses up as during the parade for fear of ruining the Christmas season, we will say he is the jolliest volunteer in the parade each year.

Following the awards, Terry Jamieson, who used to be an integral part of the Cassville community as a coach, educator and administrator, gave a motivational speech featuring how proud he was of his time in Cassville and all that he has learned as his family struggled through many tough issues.

Each year, the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce is a great opportunity for local businesses to get together and share triumphs with one another. This year’s banquet was no exception.

For more award photos, see the Barry County Advertiser website.

Oak Hill Court was honored for ten years in business at the banquet. Pictured, from left to right: Ben Lindley, incoming chamber president; Sharon Sanders, of Oak Hill; and outgoing chamber president Rick Ragsdale.

Advanced Physical Therapy earned a beautification award for their renovation on 5th Street. Pictured, from left to right: Ben Lindley, incoming chamber president; Mike and Debbie Ball, of Advanced Physical Therapy; and Rick Ragsdale, outgoing chamber president.