Thirteen awards were presented to businesses, individuals and organizations during Tuesday night’s chamber awards dinner. Pictured are winners and representatives of winning businesses.
In front from left are: Tricia Small, Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware; Linda Slabaugh and Doug Slabaugh, Bud’s Body Shop; Brenda Peterson, Junior Achievement; Ashley Davis, Sleepy Owl; Aaron Smith, Steve Fields and Carol Roop, Oakwood Resort; Pam Schumm, Wawasee Community School Corporation; and Kelly Wedehase, Bliss Boutique.
In back from left are: Bob and Rena Carlson, Maxwelton Golf Club; Chip Erwin, Rachel Larson and Jeff Larson, Sleepy Owl; Erick Leffler, Dynamic Spine and Rehabilitation Center; Mark Bulmahn, Oakwood Resort; Pat Moore, Wawasee Kiwanis; Chad Jonsson, Syracuse Parks Department; Chris Cotton; and Kip Schumm, The Papers Inc.

Local businesses took center stage during Tuesday’s Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner — catered by Grill-N-Grate — as several were recognized for their various services. There was a record-breaking attendance with 183 people filling the Syracuse Community Center’s gym.

Chamber President Richard Owen noted the chamber had decided against having a speaker this year, stating, “We wanted to make it about you (local businesses).”

Owen described the chamber’s past year, which has been record breaking in many aspects. “There are a number of new businesses,” Owen said, reading a list of several new businesses in Syracuse and surrounding communities — like Warsaw, Ligonier and Milford — who have become involved in the chamber.

Chamber President Richard Owen addresses a record-breaking audience of 183 during the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce awards dinner.

“Membership packages are coming in quick,” Owen said, and added the pace is the quickest the chamber has seen during renewals.

The membership directories have also been well received, and between the shop local event, Oakwood Resort and Brook Pointe Inn, distribution has been exceeded. Owen stated because of that the chamber would be increasing the amount of directories ordered by 1,500.

The chamber’s golf outing was another success mentioned during Owen’s presentation with him noting the tremendous job committee chairman Larry Biller has done. The year 2013 saw 30 teams participate, a record for the event. For this year’s golf outing, June 18, the chamber is hoping to have 36 teams participate: 18 in the morning and 18 in the afternoon.

Chamber Executive Director Tammy Cotton then spoke about areas where the chamber is expanding, including education and legislative. She noted the chamber has been working hard to bring the school and businesses together. Additionally, the chamber is planning a legislative meet and greet in March.

An ambassadors program, in addition to networking and business after hour events, have also been a focus of the chamber in order to help area businesses. Cotton announced the chamber is looking for additional ambassadors who would meet with chamber members throughout the year.

Thirteen awards were presented during the dinner, each recognizing the efforts of a local business, service organization or individual.

Award winners were: Bliss Boutique, Outstanding New Business, sponsored by Interra Credit Union; Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, Outstanding Retail Establishment, sponsored by Lake City Bank; Sleepy Owl Supper Club, Outstanding Restaurant, sponsored by The Papers Inc.; Wawasee Kiwanis, Outstanding Service Organization, sponsored by Mutual Bank.

Chad Jonsson with the Syracuse Parks Department, Outstanding Professional, sponsored by H & R Block of Syracuse; Chris Cotton, Outstanding Voluntarism, sponsored by Monteith Tire of Syracuse; Junior Achievement, Outstanding Non-Profit, sponsored by KeyBank; Dynamic Spine and Rehabilitation Center, Outstanding Service Business, sponsored by Lakeland Animal Clinic.

Oakwood Resort, Beautification Award, sponsored by CenturyLink; Pam Schumm, Outstanding Education Professional, sponsored by All Saints Episcopal Church; The Papers Inc., Philanthropy Award, sponsored by Farmers State Bank; Bob and Rena Carlson of Maxwelton Golf Club, Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Owen Family Funeral Home; Bud’s Body Shop, The Chamber Award, sponsored by Northern Lakes Insurance.

Also during the dinner, two new board members were introduced: Kathy Boyts, returning to the board, and Dave Mayer.