Thursday, February 18th, 2016
Coldwater chamber honors businesses and citizens
By Claire Giesige
Photo by Claire Giesige/The Daily Standard
Tonya Huber, House of Hope executive director, is recognized as citizen of the year.
COLDWATER - Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce members Wednesday evening had an extra plaque to give as they honored businesses and citizens at the annual banquet.
House of Hope Executive Director Tonya Huber was named citizen of the year.
Huber, who was called "the epitome of and the heart of the house," was understandably emotional when she accepted the award.
"I can't say much or I'll cry," she said. "But thank you all so much."
Former chamber president Chris Buschur, who presented the award, said Huber had become a second mother to the women with whom she works "by treating them each with kindness and respect, without judgment or condemnation."
The House of Hope, which began in 2014, provides female heroin addicts a sober-living facility based on faith. Residents are required to follow house rules, including performing chores, seeking gainful employment and attending regular meetings for recovering addicts.
"(Huber) encourages them to be the best they can be, to be the person they once were before drugs took hold of their life," Buschur said. "Because of her commitment to the House of Hope, there is now a place where women from our community can safely go to learn how to live a clean, sober and productive life."
Before receiving the award, Huber gave a presentation on the house, noting one of the several women who have graduated from the program went on to share public, moving testimonials about breaking free from addiction, and another resident had recently received her first paycheck.
Huber also thanked county commissioners Greg Homan, Jerry Laffin and Rick Muhlenkamp, who all attended the event, for leasing the house to the charity for $1 per year.
Two businesses celebrating important milestones were named co-businesses of the year. Ray's Refrigeration Inc., celebrating 70 years, and Home Service Inc., celebrating 100 years, received the dual honor.
Ray Wenning, founder of Ray's Refrigeration, charmed the crowd with a history of his business after receiving the award. He shared a story of a traffic jam caused by the first TV displayed in the store window and said after he returned from World War II, an Ohio State University dean told him he should be a store manager before he chose the field of refrigeration, heating and air conditioning.
Home Service Inc., which began in the 1900s on the corner of First and Main streets, has gone through numerous changes in its 100-year history, presenter Bob Hibner said. Multiple owners have helmed the company that has offered services ranging from a gas station to a car wash to an automobile maintenance shop.
Co-owner Tom Roessner accepted the award and said he looks forward to another 100 years for the automotive repair service and towing company.
In honor of its work on the Cavalier Stadium improvement project, the Coldwater Booster Club received the community improvement award.
"The hard work and dedication that went into overseeing the Cavalier Stadium improvements has been overwhelming," presenter Beth Butler said. "The fundraising efforts were like no other I have seen."
Athletic director Eric Goodwin, who accepted the award on the club's behalf, said he was amazed the community was able to raise more than $1 million in only a year.
"I just want to thank all the individuals and businesses who contributed to this," he said. "It really says a lot about our community."
He said the project, which is to renovate or construct locker rooms, public restrooms, a concession stand, changing areas, a multipurpose area and an officials room, is nearly at the end of phase one. Construction of the Cavalier Pride Athletic Complex cost $886,698 and phase two is expected to cost about $200,000, he said.
The volunteer of the year award went to Mindy Kremer, Mercer Health's senior director of development, marketing and community relations.
"You know the moment she tells you 'yes' she is all in and will be committed to the cause whatever it may be," presenter Rebecca Wenning said. "She was a committee member of the 175th celebration and was a part of the original group who started the now-annual Taste of the Town."
Kramer, like Huber, said she would keep her speech short to avoid becoming emotional.
"I think you're all volunteers of the year," she told the room before thanking chamber members for her award.
Also on Wednesday night, mayor Joe Knapschaefer gave his annual village update. He noted the biggest change in Coldwater was new personnel in village offices.
"There has been a lot of turnover in a relatively small group of employees," he said but noted the employees handled it well.
Shanna Barns of Briarwood Village, Kylie Lefeld of the Kenn-Feld Group, Sher Stahl of Valco and Elizabeth Wenning of Elizabeth Ann Photography were named new chamber trustees.
Photo by Claire Giesige/The Daily Standard
Coldwater Exempted Village Schools Athletic Director Eric Goodwin accepts the community improvement award on behalf of the Coldwater Booster Club for its work on the Cavalier Stadium improvement project.
Photo by Claire Giesige/The Daily Standard
Mindy Kremer, senior director of development, marketing and community relations at Mercer Health, is volunteer of the year.
Photo by Claire Giesige/The Daily Standard
Members of the Wenning family, from left, Ron, Ray and Dan Wenning, accept their award. Ray's Refrigeration Inc. was started by Ray Wenning and is owned by his sons, Dan, Mike and Ron, and their wives, Carol, Cindy and Becky. The company is marking 70 years.
Photo by Claire Giesige/The Daily Standard
Representatives from Home Service Inc., from left, Dan and Denise Brackman, Tom and Janelle Roessner and Larry and Diana Hausfeld accept their award. The company is marking 100 years in business.
