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And the Winner is…

2016 River Country Awards

2016 – River Country Legacy Award

The legacy award recognizes those businesses who have multigenerational ties to Newaygo County. The criteria for the Legacy Award are

as follows:

1. Business must have a minimum of two generations of service

2. Must be in Newaygo County

3. Must have made significant contributions to community growth and/or the quality of life here during the most recent 12 months.

4. Must be a current Chamber member

THE WINNER WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES:

• A vision & commitment to Newaygo County

• Strive for excellence

• Achieved success through effort and determination

• A devotion to a better quality of life

• Be unselfish with time to effect change

• A desire to build for the future

• Dream BIG and seek ways to achieve those dreams

• A positive attitude

• Have a commitment to business growth/expansion

• Personal persistence

Please complete to nominate a candidate:

NOMINEES:

Newaygo Family Dental Care

Cronk’s Oakridge Restaurant

Beaver Tree Service

Schultz Septic & Portable Toilets

THE WINNER IS:

Beaver Tree Service

25 years, 2 generations of family, supporting River Country events throughout Newaygo County as well as donating time and talent to

other organizations throughout Newaygo County. Growth of family business from tree service, landscaping and greenhouse. Hope always

has a smile and a positive attitude, striving to get it done!

2016 – River Country Bridge Builder Award (1 from each of the following will be chosen to receive

this award: Croton-Hardy, Grant, Newaygo, White Cloud)

The Bridge Builder Award recognizes Chamber members who play an active role in the community. The criteria for the Bridge Builder

Award are as follows:

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1. A business in the Croton-Hardy, Grant, Newaygo or White Cloud

2. Must have made significant contributions to community growth and/or the quality of life here during the most recent 12 months.

3. Must be a current Chamber member

4. Have been in business a minimum of 3 years

THE WINNER WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES

• Take an active role in the community

• Seek to connect the community

• Present a positive image of Croton-Hardy, Grant, Newaygo or White Cloud

NOMINEES:

Charles Chandler

Scott Faulkner

Ryan Maike

Betty Krueger

Woody Bowman

Jennifer Koopman

Lisa Lightfoot

Del Hirdes

THE WINNERS ARE:

Woody Bowman

Lisa Lightfoot

Del Hirdes

Scott Faulkner

2016 – River Country Hospitality Award

For that person who always has a bright smile and makes you want to smile too! This person can make your day better by just saying hello.

The criteria for the Hospitality Award are as follows:

1. Business must be in Croton-Hardy, Grant, Newaygo or White Cloud

2. Must be an employee or owner of the business

3. Must be a current Chamber member

NOMINEES:

Audrey Rynberg

Karen Cook

Carol Lorde

Candace Scott

Kelly Murphy

Betty Krueger

THE WINNER IS:

Betty Krueger – Whether Betty is in the Branch, volunteering at a Chamber or community event she always has a smile and kind word to

share.

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2016 – River Country Image Award

Everyone appreciates good customer service, going the extra mile to make your customers feel appreciated, providing the best customer

experience possible. This award will go to the owner or employee who demonstrates that they know their business, employees and

customers and it shows through with everything they do.

THE WINNER WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES

• Makes you feel welcome and glad that you walked into their place of business

• Exemplify pride in their business, through the business appearance, marketing & branding awareness, innovative approaches to

customer retention and the overall customer experience.

NOMINEES:

Del Hirdes

Jon Hammersley

Carol Lorde

Ross & Dennis Nelson

Theresa Cooper

Nick & Krista Looman

Audrey Rynberg

THE WINNER IS:

Theresa Cooper

2016 River Country Horizon Award

The Horizon Award honors a new Chamber member (in last 18 months) who is involved in Chamber activities, such as serving on a

committee, regular attendance at Chamber functions, contributing time and talent to the Chamber. (Maximizing the benefits of being a

Chamber member).

Criteria for the Horizon Award is:

1. Must be a business in Croton-Hardy, Grant, Newaygo or White Cloud

2. Must be a current Chamber member

NOMINEES:

Woody Bowman

Rhonda Buter

Jessica Twigg

Theresa Cooper

WESCO – Adam Chiles, Beth Cook, Jennifer Vance

THE WINNER IS:

WESCO – Adam Chiles, Beth Cook, Jennifer Vance

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2016 River Country Trail Blazer Award

1. The Entrepreneur Award spotlights a small business located in Croton-Hardy, Grant, Newaygo or White Cloud that has displays the

following characteristics: Innovative and forward thinking, Growth oriented, Adaptable to change, demonstrates positive customer

service and/or client relations, strives for overall excellence, motivated to reach new markets and approaches, while setting new

standards in the community:

Criteria for the Trail Blazer Award is:

3. Must be a business in Croton-Hardy, Grant, Newaygo or White Cloud

4. Must be a current Chamber member

NOMINEES:

Hope Meelker

Charles Chandler

Theresa Cooper

Nick Looman

Aaron Leestma

THE WINNER IS:

Aaron Leestma

2016 – River Country Defender Award

This award acknowledges a chamber member or group who has displayed outstanding commitment to the mission of the chamber,

demonstrated support of chamber goals and provided dependable and exceptional assistance on the chamber’s behalf; whose integrity,

initiative and creativity have enhanced the stability and growth of chamber activities. Any chamber member, employee of a member or

group who is currently involved in chamber activities is eligible.

Criteria for the Image Award is:

1. Business must be in Newaygo County

2. Must be a member of the Chamber, or employed by a member of the Chamber

THE WINNER WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES

• Displays outstanding commitment to the mission of the River Country Chamber of Commerce

• Demonstrates support of chamber goals and provides dependable assistance on the chamber’s behalf.

• Exhibits initiative and creativity, enhancing the stability and growth of chamber activities.

• A positive attitude

Please complete to nominate a candidate:

NOMINEES:

Del Hirdes

Woody Bowman

Jessica Twigg

Charles Chandler

Hope Meelker

THE WINNER IS:

Jessica Twigg