Gasconade County Republican

Recipients of Owensville Chamber of Commerce special awards for 2012 will be named Jan. 26 during the sixth annual “Night Out with the Stars.”

Plans are being finalized for the event. Past recipients of Chamber awards have cast ballots to select this year’s winners.

“This gala event will honor citizens in the Owensville and surrounding area, for their accomplishments in 2012,” according to banquet planners. “It is a way to recognize the many outstanding citizens and businesses in our community.”

The Chamber recently released the following names as nominees for the award categories. These nominations were presented to the Chamber by citizens of the Owensville and surrounding communities and were being voted upon by previous year’s winners.

Nominees for awards are:

MAN OF THE YEAR: Nathaniel Blankenship, Richard Hahn, Dixon Somerville       

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Debra Dowler,     Cindy Dyer, Donielle Farrar, Shannon Tayloe   

BEAUTIFICATION: DJB Accounting, Debra Dowler, Lost Valley Lake Resort

ENTREPRENEUR: Art Works on Main, Dutchman Donuts, Endless  Destinations Travel, Gasconade Manor Wellness Center, Great  Reflections, Joiebug Children’s Resale Shop

YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Gabby Bilbrey, Katelyn Robertson, Claire Smith, Johannah Thomas

YOUNG MAN OF THE YEAR: Joshua Gregor, Cody Hendrix, Ian Kamler, Caleb Mundwiller

PUBLIC SERVICE: Gross Auction, Owensville Volunteer Fire Department, Owensville Transit/ToGo Bus, Crystal Valley

EDUCATOR AWARD: Amy Aubuchon, Carol Keller, Nona Miller, Jordan Palmer, Teresa Schulte, Shirlie Wright

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: Steve Baehr, Kelly Kuhrts, Jeff Kuhne

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR: Karen Hubenthal-Arnold, Jost Tire, Dennis Warden

HEART FOR OWENSVILLE: Evelyn Binkholder, John Gaska, Joan Holt

Criteria for some of the various awards includes outstanding service to and for the community and mankind; true enterprising spirit in the creation and establishment of commerce in the Owensville area and the desire to provide employment, service and/or betterment for the area; or a love for serving others by donating hours for community service projects or by giving to the community either financially or with a big heart.

Award sponsors are The Cafe´ Company, Regions Bank, State Farm Insurance, Legends Bank, Lane Building Products, Capital Region Medical Center Owensville, Warden Publishing Company, Tri-County Veterinary Services, JLK Motors, Goettenstroeter Funeral Home, and Medley Pharmacy.

Banquet sponsors are RR Donnelley, First State Community Bank, Legends Bank, Jost Tire, Co., Inc., Community Bank, Pioneer Home Center/Truss Company, Fidelity Communications, Totally Tropical, Maciejewski Heating & Plumbing, Beck Motors, Tom Bloemke Farmers Insurance & Financial Solutions, First Bank, Southern District Commissioner Jerry Lairmore and Emhart Glass.

Student Dinner Sponsors are Community Bank, Dud’s Tire Shop, Edward Jones, In Memory of Ron Jost (former Gasconade County Commissioner), Southern District Commissioner Jerry Lairmore, Owensville Lions Club, Warden Publishing, Yesteryear Antiques & Collectibles.

“It is the policy of the Chamber to not release the names of the 2012 Award recipients until the night of the Owensville awards banquet,” Chamber officials noted. “The Chamber has a wonderful evening planned including a great line-up of silent auction items. The evening begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while placing bids on the auction items followed by dinner and the award presentations.  Music will follow for everyone’s dancing pleasure.”

The event will be held at the Owensville Lions Club den on Krausetown Road.