Chamber names 2009 awards

Karen Pippins accepts Educator of the Year honors from Dennis Boggess. Sen. Rob Mayer and Rep. Billy Pat Wright were also on hand to present resolutions to Saturday night's winners from both the House and Senate.

Dexter Lions Club, noted for their continuing contributions within the community, including assisting with optometry expenses for local residents in need. The organization also finances summer camps for youth in the community and last year enabled a local student to attend a band camp. A summer golf tournament funds the Lions Club's annual scholarship program.

"The Lions Club is a vital part of the Dexter community," said Chamber President Dana Adams in making the presentation, "and their efforts are appreciated by so many."

Janet Coleman presents Industry of the Year Award to the Duley family

Lions President Greg Lintz accepted the award on behalf of the Lions Club.

Ann-Marie's A Unique Boutique was named the recipient of the Small Business of the Year Award. Dr. Kelly Hutson, in presenting the honor to store owner, Ann-Marie Mitchell, credited Mitchell's success, in part, to "her selective purchasing of brand name items and staying ahead of market trends."

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home was named the recipient of the Chamber's Business of the Year Award, with Chamber Ex-Officio Jason Comfort making the presentation.

Dr. Kelly Hutson presents Small Business Award to Ann-Marie Mitchell and Store Manager Leshawn Lane

Comfort noted that the business opened its doors in the 1930s and said, "While the ownership and the name of the business may have changed four times in course of the past 80 some years, the commitment for providing quality service has remained steadfast."

Accepting the award were current owners and operators of the facility, Greg and Lisa Mathis.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Coleman presented the Industry of the Year Award to Duley Machine, LLC.

Greg and Lisa Mathis accept the Business of the Year Award from Jason Comfort

Duley's has been in business for over 80 years in the community and has been operated by four generations of the Duley family. The industry was credited with having completed major expansions over the years to accommodate their growing operation of machine tooling and design. Accepting the award were John and Marjorie Duley and their son, David.

A first for the local Chamber was the presentation Saturday evening of the 2009 Educator of the Year, selected from submissions throughout the community.

Karen Pippins, who has taught in the local school system for over 25 years, currently teaching third grade at Central Elementary, was presented the first-ever award by Chamber Member Dennis Boggess. Pippins was honored not only for her teaching abilities, but as well for her creativity and her commitment to seeing to the needs of each students under her care.

Greg Lintz accepts the Organization of the Year Award on behalf of the Dexter Lions Club.

Pippins was also credited for her continued work within the First Christian Church and Dexter's annual Relay for Life event.

This year's event also took a twist as Chamber members were invited to supply a table centerpiece that in some manner depicted their service or provided gifts or services. The centerpieces were auctioned by Dale Moreland following the evening's dinner. Items ranged from a family ski trip to survival kits and newspaper subscriptions to golf getaways and spa treatments. At the end of the night, a total of $2,735 was raised through the auction, with half the proceeds to be donated to the 2009 Organization of the Year recipient, Dexter Lions Club. Additionally, $683.75 was donated to both the Stoddard County Church Women United and the Dexter Bearcat Booster Club who were also nominated for the award.

A special thank-you was extended to the Dexter Show Choir whose members assisted serving guests and in the auction presentations.