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The Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual Award Banquet is an event that aims to recognize excellence in our community. Chamber Members nominate and vote for fellow Chamber Members to acknowledge outstanding achievements.
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Gordon G. Everett - Bell Tower Award: Recognizing new construction and/or renovation projects that best exemplify investment in Otsego County with consideration of maintaining the Alpine spirit and theme.
1998 - Gaylord Ford
1999 - Wade Trim
2000 - Otsego Club
2001 - Saks Wellness Center & JoJo’s Market
2002 - Catt Development
2003 - DDA’s Pavilion on Court
2004 - North Central Construction Inc. Northwestern Bank and Edelweiss Properties LLC
2005 - Alpine Chiropractic Clinic
2006 - Independent Bank, Spicy Bob’s Italian Express
2007 - Alpine Oven, Ace Hardware
2008 - City Hall & Otsego County Airport
2009 - Alpine Chocolat Haus, Hogan’s Jewelers
2010 - Diana’s Delights and Hobby Lobby
2011 - Seams Like New
2012 - Otsego County Animal Shelter
2013 - Alpine Tavern & Eatery
2014 - Awakon Federal Credit Union
2015 - Jay’s Sporting Goods
2016 - Dr. Kristine Bobish, Alpine Cardiology
2017 - Scott & Janice Lampert
2018 - Pine Squirrel
2019 - Otsego County Library
2020 - Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital
2021 - Otsego County, Gaylord Gateway Trailhead
2022 - M32 Enterprises
2022 - Crave - Pasta Pizza & Pub
Golden Pineapple Award: Honoring a member of the Chamber of Commerce for their exceptional customer service.
1998 - Mr. Coots
1999 - Sue's Shop and the Spud Warehouse
2000 - Saturn Booksellers
2001 - Alphorn Shop
2002 - La Senorita Restaurant
2003 - Extreme Power Sports
2004 - Glenda's Gifts
2005 - Hogan's Jewelers
2006 - Hall Veterinary Clinic
2007 - Dunn's Business Solutions and Jan's Northside Deli
2008 - Telephone Support Systems and Bradley J. Butcher & Associates
2009 - Nelson Funeral Home
2010 - Arrow Sanitation
2011 - New Century Signs
2012 - Thrifty Print & North Western Bank
2013 - Jamie Rhein, Winn Telecom
2014 - Isabella's Copper Pot
2015 - Joe Messenger, Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service
2016 - Bennethum's Northern Inn
2017 - Otsego Grand Event Center
2018 - Bill Marsh Ford
2019 - Susie Marshall, the University Center
2020 - Michelle & Casey Buckleitner, White Birch Outfitters
2021 - Alpine Chocolat Haus
2022 - Shawn & Cathy Smalley, Big Buck Brewery
2023 - Wellness on Main
Daune Weiss Memorial - Business Person of the Year Award: Given to a business owner or manager who best exemplifies Daune Weiss' generosity in giving time, money, staff and/or facilities for community benefit.
2000 - Daune Weiss
2001 - John Kluck
2002 - Bruce Brown
2003 - Scott Lampert
2004 - Pastor Jim Mathis
2005 - Rosemary Smith
2006 - Betty Moore
2007 - Larry Edwards
2008 - Kevin Drummond
2009 - Stanley Dombrowski
2010 - In Memory of Gene Sanders
2011 - Kevin McKinley
2012 - Jack Thompson
2013 - Patt Dobrzelweski
2014 - Todd Chawtun, Michaywe
2015 - Bobby McNamara, McNamara Insurance
2016 - Theresa McNamara, Dunn's Business Solutions
2017 - Marcia Taylor, Marsh-Mellow Entertainment
2018 - Angielena Muellenberg, Snowbelt Brewing Company
2019 - Ryan Wojan, Smith Realty Group
2020 - Dana Bensinger, Otsego Community Foundation
2021 - Mike Perdue, Smith Realty Group
2022 - Celeste Feole, Celeste Lovely Photography
2023 - Fleming Farm
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History of Other Special Acknowledgements
Chairperson's Award: Recognized by the Chairman of the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, this award recognizes a committee member for going above and beyond in their role as a Chamber volunteer.
2018 - Dana Bensinger, Otsego Community Foundation
2019 - Tom & Waneta Cook, Cook Family Farms
2020 - Mike Cwik, Kiwanis Club of Gaylord
2021 - Heather Appold, Munson Health Care Foundation
2022 - John Jenkins, Former Mayor, Former Chief of Police, Alpenfest Volunteer
2023 - Derek Hagland, Grace Baptist Church
Ambassador of the Year Award: Selected by the Ambassadors in a vote, this award recognizes an Ambassador of the Chamber of Commerce for going above and beyond in their role as a Chamber volunteer.
2018 - Kurt Felts, the Herald Times
2019 - Mary Bickley, PMP Staffing
2020 - Kari Jo Stefanski, Karing Home Youth Project / Feeny Ford Grayling
2021 - Amanda Apitz, State Savings Bank
2022 - Collin Wilson, Comfort Inn & Suites / MainStay Suites
2023 - Kirk Miller, WM
Patti Dobrzelewki Volunteer of the Year Award: Recognizing a community leader who donates their time to Chamber activities and events.
2018 - Leanna Suchey, ServPro
2019 - Karin Beyer, Otsego Community Foundation
2020 - Linda Durant, The Holistic Spa
2021 - Eileen Tussey, Fairfield Inn & Suites
2022 - Community of Gaylord, for the response to the May 2022 Tornado
2023 - Katie Warner, Otsego Community Foundation & Melissa McDonnell, Otsego County United Way
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You Made It Happen Award: Given to a person, business, or organization that, through exceptional contributions and/or commitment, positively affected growth of the Gaylord Community over the past year.
1983 - Five Recipients
Dave Engel for the FAA Flight Service Station
Susan Bensinger for the United Way fundraising
Pat Duffy for the Special Olympics fundraising
Harriet Burns for doing vacation shows for the Chamber
Jim Grisso for creating the Burgermeister Award
1984 - Two Recipients
Carol DeGroot for the Chamber’s Council program
Don Morgridge for the street sweeping contest
1985 - Two Recipients
Otsego Memorial Hospital
Dianne McNamara for the Women’s Rotary tree lighting project
1986 - Three Recipients
Mary O’Neill for the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts
Ann & Theresa Jaruzel for the Mt. Carmel Center
Tom Arthurs for the North Central Michigan Home Builders Association
1987 - Gaylord Convention & Tourism Bureau
1988 - Edelweiss Garden Club for the city landscaping and flower planting
1989 - Three Recipients
Gaylord Rotary Club
Otsego County Ambulance Service
Otsego County Fair Board
1990 - Glen A. Catt for sponsorship of the Gus Macker Tourney
1991 - Debbie Collins for organizing the GHS Graduation Party
1992 - Three Recipients
Alpine Snowmobile Trails, Inc for their trail grooming efforts
Bob McNamara for his volunteerism for the Gus Macker
WMJZ for their support of community activities
1993 - Two Recipients
Howard Cheney for the Kiwanis Club Christmas Basket Program
Chuck Klee for his volunteerism for the Gus Macker Tourney
1994 - Four Recipients
Sharon Grendel for the Otsego County Hockey Association
Rick Miller for the Alpine Youth Soccer
Jan Cotant for the Freebies Hut
Dick Weber for the Sportsplex Committee
1995 - Gaylord Downtown Development Authority
1996 - Sheila Fruehauf for the Energy Outlet playground
1997 - Ken Mudget for Otsego Lake State Park’s Handicap Ramp
1998 - Keith Lester for the TIC for the Otsego County Fire Department
1999 - Jack Thompson for his advocacy for the University Center and M-TEC
2000 - Forcier Family for their generosity to the community
2001 - Jerry Coger for the Food Pantry
2002 - Sandy Gartelman for the Kids in Theater Program
2003 - OWLS and the Rotary Club for the Environmental Learning Center
2004 - Two Recipients
Otsego Memorial Hospital “Family” for leadership in capital campaign
Gaylord Area Snowmobile Trails Council
2005 - Volunteer Center’s Road To Recovery Program
2006 - Otsego County Economic Alliance
2007 - Edelweiss Garden Club
2008 - Glen Catt for Big Ticket Festival
2009 - I-75 Crossing Task Force
2010 - “Wings Over Gaylord” & Catt Family for the Fourth Grader Swimming Program
2011 - Dave Baragrey Sr. for Bear Basketball Program
2012 - Groen Nature Reserve
2013 - Alpenfrost
2014 - Ken Mattei, Special Olympics Michigan/Wertz Warriors
2015 - Al Blackburn, Meijer
2016 - Jennifer Akans of ComForCare, for the Veteran’s Luncheon held in November
2017 - Laura Hansmann for the new Tennis Courts on behalf of the Alpine Regional Tennis Association
2018 - Shari Rivest & Matt Barresi
2019 - Rachel Frisch – Otsego County
2020 - Otsego County United Way & Food Pantry
2021 - Karing Home Youth Project
2022 - Room Redux Northern Michigan
2023 -Karin Beyer
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Building Business. Building Community.