Banquet and ceremony honor Chowchilla community award winners
About 300 people attended the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce Community Awards and Installation Dinner on Jan. 19.
The Chamber gave 11 awards to those who have gone above and beyond in their field or as a community member.
Nominations are taken from the public and submitted to a committee for consideration.
In attendance this year was District 12 California State Senator Anna Caballero, with her husband. Chamber Executive Director Stacy Wisener kicked off the evening with a welcoming speech and introduction of the emcee, Jeff Palmer. Adam Shasky served a prime rib dinner as the evening began with the installation of the new 2019 Chamber Board Officers as well as a new Board of Directors. This year’s Chamber president is Lori Ringeisen, who has served on the Chamber Board since 2015.
There was also a dessert auction along with a raffle and silent auction.
Of the 11 awards given, Honoring Community Contributions was awarded to Fire Chief Harry Turner and the entire Chowchilla Volunteer Fire Department for their dedication to the community and for taking care of the family of Dustin Calley, a member of the Chowchilla Volunteer Fire Department, who lost his life May 2018 in a motorcycle accident. There are currently twenty-four volunteer firefighters.
The evening closed with honoring former Chamber Director Glen Beaird’s family for his dedication to the Chamber and community while he served on the board. Glen succumbed to illness in 2018 and his wife Rachel and son Daniel accepted the honor.
The following are the Chamber award winners:
Choose Chowchilla Award — Salters Distributing, Inc.
Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award — John Kirwin
Business Person of the Year Award — Trina Prins
Historical Award — Anderson Pump
Company Vision Award — Sweet Dottie’s Desserts & Deli
Heart of Chowchilla Award — In Memory of Doris Oyler
Excellence in Agriculture — Clay Haynes
Educator of the Year Award — Susan House
Business of the Year Award — Chowchilla Skilled Nursing Facility
Honoring Community Contributions Award — Chowchilla Volunteer Fire Department
President’s Award — Chief Dave Riviere and Sgt. Daniel Denny
