BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR - Owner of The Malt Shop, Deb Thompson, second from left, was honored as the 2007 Florence Uribe Award-Business Woman of the Year honoree at the annual Chesaning Area Chamber of Commerce Gala. Pictured here are, from left, award presenter Marty Maier, Thompson, and Thompson's children, son Matthew Thompson, and daughter Brooke Thompson. (TCC Photo by Deb Miller)

Those in attendance at the event, which is held each year to honor member's contributions to the community, used the evening to again give back to their community.

A $525 donation to benefit the Chesaning Area Emergency Relief (CAER) Center was raised. An auction was held to decide which table would be the first to step up to the buffet with the winning table contributing $350 to the CAER Center for that privilege. Others in attendance also donated to the fund to bring the grand total to $525 to help area needy.

A raffle was also held. Ron and Kathy Stewart of Chesaning were the winners of a $500 trip voucher.

This year's all-new "Good Times, Good Friends, Good Business" 2008 Gala was held at the Peet Community Center in Chesaning where several community members were lauded with the annual chamber awards that included the 2007 Florence Uribe Award for Business Woman of the Year, the 2007 Distinguished Business Person of the Year, the 2007 Volunteer of the Year, the Past Showboat Chairman Award, and the new Star Award.

Award recipients were nominated by their chamber member peers and the final decision was made by the Chamber Selection Committee.

The evening included musical entertainment, a cocktail reception that included beer and wine tasting, a buffet dinner, and the traditional honoring of businesspersons and volunteers in the community.

STAR EMPLOYEE - Pam Damic, right, was honored with the 2007 Star Award by the Chesaning Area Chamber of Commerce. Shown here are, from left, Damic's employer, Doug Gerding of Hehr International, award presenter Susan Mesack, and Damic. (TCC Photo by Deb Miller)

New this year was the Star Employee Award, which honors a chamber member's employee who has exhibited excellence, leadership, and a positive attitude within the company.

Chamber member Susan Mesack noted that, "The Chamber knows that for a business to be successful it must employ valuable employees and this award is an effort to recognize employees who go quietly about their job duties with the dedication and class that make a business as successful as it is."

The first ever Star Award went to Pam Damic, an employee of Hehr International.

Damic was hired at Hehr in 1989 in order to fill a vacant clerical position. Within a short period she progressed into more responsible positions and she is one of a select few that possesses the talents many employers dream of in an employee.

In 2001 she was promoted to Materials Manager where she was responsible for $1 million in raw material inventory. Soon after her promotion, new and more efficient guidelines were established resulting in a 50 percent reduction in head count within the company. For some time she has had the most efficient department of the corporations ten divisions.

The 2007 Florence Uribe Award for the Business Woman of the Year was awarded to Deb Thompson, owner of The Malt Shop.

Presenter Marty Maier noted that Thompson has made great contributions to the community of Chesaning. Although she always prefers to remain behind the scenes, Thompson serves as a quality role model to other business owners along with members of the community.

"Deb is such a hard worker. She is always at her business and works side by side with her people," Maier noted.

"She has an incredible work ethic that she is passing on to her employees. And she is always willing to donate food, money, or whatever is needed to benefit the community."

Thompson began working for her father at The Malt Shop when she was twelve years old. She purchased the business from him about 25 years ago.

BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR - Michael Maier, center, of Waddell & Reed was honored as the 2007 Distinguished Businessperson of the Year at the Chesaning Area Chamber of Commerce Gala held Saturday, January 19. Pictured here are, from left, Maier's son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Jeanette Maier; award presenter Jim Johnston; Maier, and his wife Sheila; Maier's granddaughter Lauren Leffel; and Maier's daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Randy Leffel. (TCC Photo by Deb Miller)

The 2007 Distinguished Business Person of the Year Award went to Michael Maier who operates the Chesaning office of Waddell & Reed.

"Mike volunteers in so many ways to ensure the continued success of this community," noted presenter Jim Johnston.

Maier currently serves as the President of Parks and Rec, Chairman of the River Restoration Committee, serves as Treasurer of Chesaning's Crop Walk, and sits on the Endowment Committee at Trinity United Methodist Church.

He has been a member of the Chesaning Village Council and served on the Pool Restoration Committee for the Chesaning Union Schools.

He was instrumental in the success of the pool remodeling and the inclusion of the all-access handicap ramp.

Honored as the 2007 Volunteer of the Year was Francis Sloan, owner of Sloan's Septic Tank Service.

Sloan has been very active in all aspects of the community and is "always volunteering."

Presenters Bob and Claudia Rhode noted "Francis is constantly giving of his time and talents to the community in any way he can."

Sloan is a regular volunteer at all chamber events including Santa's Village and the Great Jack-O-Lantern Carnivale, and has long served as a car parker for the Chesaning Showboat Music Festival. He serves on the Buildings and Grounds Committee for the Saginaw County Fair, He was instrumental in raising the funds for the Habitat for Humanity Chesaning build, serving as the Fundraising Chairman for the event and also donated porta potties during the build.

"He is constantly taking items to the CAER Center," noted Claudia Rhode.

He is also highly involved as a volunteer at the Our Lady Catholic Church and is "always plowing snow for the elderly in the community.

Chesaning Showboat Music Festival 2008 Chairperson Denise Ebenhoeh presented the Past Showboat Chairman Award to 2007 Chairperson Mary Kay Hoerner.

Noting Hoerner's lifelong dedication to Showboat, Ebenhoeh credited Hoerner for being the driving force behind many positive changes for the festival.

"Under the strong leadership of Mary Kay we made it through some rough changes and through her hard work and steady course Showboat has made much progress." Ebenhoeh stated in her presentation.

"The production of Showboat is a team effort, but every team needs direction and Mary Kay was an exceptional director."

Also honored were fifteen area businesses that reached five-year increment anniversary milestones in 2007.

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the following businesses; Swartzmiller Lumber Company, 95 years in business; Horger's Farm/Automotive, 85 years in business; Waddell & Reed, Inc./Michael Maier, 70 years in business; Giesken's Cabinetry & Floor Covering, 55 years in business; Century 21 Woodland, 45 years in business; Frosty's Ice Cream, 35 years in business; Krupp Heating & Cooling, LLC, 35 years in business; Chesaning Family Dental, PC, 30 years in business; Hass Vision Center, 30 years in business; E & L Hardwoods, Inc., 20 years in business; Lasting Expressions, 20 years in business; Showboat City Auto Wash, 20 years in business; G & G Catering, 15 years in business; Michigan Festivals & Events Association, 15 years in business; and Advantage Poured Walls, Inc., 5 years in business.