February 2012

Chamber of Commerce

Hannibal Area

Established 1894

Pacesetter, Community Betterment, and Civic Contributor

Awards Among Highlights of Chamber’s 103rd Annual Meeting

Pacesetter Award Dr. Woodrow Burt,

Hannibal-LaGrange

University

Community Betterment Award Cindy Lovell, Mark Twain Museum &

Boyhood Home for her work on the

Mark Twain: Words and Music CD

Civic Contributor Award General Mills

Accepted by Lori Dowil

More than 300 Chamber members and guests attended the Hannibal Area

Chamber of Commerce’s 103rd Annual Meeting, held at the Quality Inn & Suites on

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. Outgoing president John Ravenscraft, United Country

Ravenscraft & Associates, spoke about the accomplishments of 2011 and incoming

president Ron Hendren, Hendren Financial Services, shared his vision for 2012. Tom

and Becky, Logan Locke and Jessica Taylor, presented an overview of their year

serving as ambassadors for the community. The presentation of the Pacesetter,

Community Betterment, and Civic Contributor awards were also highlights of the

evening.

This year’s Pacesetter Award was presented to Dr. Woodrow Burt, President

of Hannibal-LaGrange University. The Pacesetter is someone from the community

who has served unselfishly to help Hannibal move forward. Dr. Burt has capably

served HLGU in many capacities and since 1995 presides as president. He was

ordained to the ministry in 1967 and is a sought-after speaker to audiences across the

state and around the country. As a community-minded leader, he is an active

member of the Hannibal Lions Club and served on the board of directors and as an

ambassador for the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he has been

involved in state and national service activities and boards. Dr. Burt is a great giver

of his time and talents both to the Chamber and the community.

The Community Betterment award, which honors a person or group of

people with a specific goal, inspired by a specific need, who have contributed their

time and efforts to make a difference in our community, was presented to Cindy

Lovell. Lovell, the Executive Director of the Mark Twain Museum & Boyhood

Home, collaborated with Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and

producer Carl Jackson to tell Twain’s life story in spoken word and song on a CD,

Mark Twain: Words & Music, which was released in 2011. The project honors

Twain’s legacy and raises needed funds for the Museum's endowment fund.

General Mills was the recipient of the Civic Contributor award. The mission

of General Mills is “Nourishing Lives” - not just through food, but by improving the

quality of life. The Hannibal plant allocates $110,000 in grants annually to

organizations within 50 miles of Hannibal and also contribute over 50% of the

United Way income. In addition, countless tons of product are donated to various

events, fundraisers and programs. To further the commitment of the plant to assist in

the community, several members of the leadership team sit on various boards

throughout the area. Finally, General Mills occasionally makes larger donations for

major investments to grow our community services such as expansion of the YMCA

or a new building for MACC.

(Continued on page 2)

Chamber News Page 2

The 2011 Ambassador Team of the Year includes (left to right): Connie

Benson, Benson Financial Group; Julie Leverenz, Hannibal Regional

Health Care System; Megan Rapp, Hannibal Convention & Visitors

Bureau; Beth Knight, Century 21 Broughton Team; Joe Yarbrough,

HNB; Ed Trotter, Commerce Bank; Mary Gibbons, F&M Bank; and

Barb Steinman, HNB. Not pictured: Guy East, Reliable Pest Solutions;

Ginny Webb, Hannibal Clinic; and Ron Hendren, Hendren Financial

Services.

Chamber Ambassadors Celebrate Success of 2011

Want to Know More About the Chamber Ambassadors?

The Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors serve as the public relations arm of the Chamber,

enhancing the image of our business community and the organization by presenting a positive and professional

attitude. As representatives of the Chamber, this committee was organized to officiate at Ribbon Cuttings, Ground

Breakings, to welcome new businesses, professionals, and prospective business people to our community and to

assist the Chamber with membership recruitment and events. This group of 30 has exceeded all expectations and

now has a waiting list. If you are interested in serving as an Ambassador, contact the Chamber office at 221-1101.

Ron Hendren presents the 2011

Ambassador of the Year award to Angie

Gooding, branch manager of Manpower,

during the Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting, cont. The Chamber’s outgoing and incoming board members were also recognized during the annual meeting. Thank you

to outgoing members of the Chamber’s board of directors: Dr. Richard E. Draper, Hannibal Regional Medical Group; Matt

Oleksy, BASF; Mike Scholes, Reliable Pest Solutions; and Susan Till, ReThink Media. New board members, with terms

expiring in 2015, include: Garry Allen, Reliable Pest Solutions; Jim Bensman,

MECO; Michael Ginsberg, LulaBelle’s; Michael McFarlane, BASF; and

Kristy Trevathan, Prestige Realty. In addition, Debbie Catlett, Hannibal

Nutrition Center, was elected to a second term and will serve this year as

President-Elect.

Finally, the board of directors presented a special thank you to

retiring Executive Director, Terry Sampson. Thank you, Terry, for all your

work during the past four years and for your continued commitment to the

Chamber and to Hannibal. We wish you safe travels and much happiness

throughout your retirement!

Hannibal Area

Chamber of Commerce

February 2012

201 Broadway Hannibal, Missouri 63401

573-221-1101 Fax 573-221-3389

info@hannibalchamber.org

Ron Hendren

President

McKenzie Disselhorst Executive Director

Milenna Hulett Office Manager

Melissa Cummins Tom & Becky Coordinator

Welcome New Members

Judge Rachel Bringer

906 Broadway

Hannibal, MO 63401

LS Tax Service

Lydia Shumake

1101 Central Ave

Hannibal, MO 63401

(573) 221-4339

Great Clips

Denise Madore

3650 Stardust

Hannibal, MO 63401

(573) 406-5661

Chamber News Page 3

For more than 56 years, the Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce

has sponsored the Tom and Becky Program. Each year, one boy and girl are

chosen to serve as the official Tom and Becky. The official Tom and Becky

receive assistance from four additional couples serving as alternates as they

make appearances throughout the year.

The Tom and Becky Program's primary function is to train Hannibal

youth to be goodwill ambassadors and promote tourism and the community. It

is also an educational program in which those involved become familiar with

Mark Twain, his life, his literature, and Hannibal at large. Long after the year

is over, Tom and Becky participants will remember the important part Twain

played in American literature and continue to be good citizens and leaders in

their hometown.

The Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce’s Tom and Becky

Coordinator, Melissa Cummins, will be sending invitations to all seventh-

graders who live in the Hannibal School District to participate. Students who

are home schooled are welcome to register as well at the Chamber office.

The selection process for the 2012-2013 Tom and Becky will

culminate on July 4th with the announcement of the Official Tom and Becky

and the alternates. For more information, contact Melissa Cummins at the

Chamber office at 221-1101.

YOUR Business Card

Could Be Displayed HERE!

Contact the Chamber office at 221-1101 for details.

Tom and Becky Program Seeking Applicants for 2012-2013

2011-2012 Tom and Becky - Logan Locke and

Jessica Taylor

Save the Date: Business Expo Scheduled for March 29 The 2012 Business to Business Expo will be held Thursday, March 29th at Lamar Advertising. The Business Expo

provides the opportunity to showcase your business, network with other businesses, and look at the products and services

available locally through fellow Chamber members. As in years past, a limited number of special advertising packages will

be available through a silent auction. Approximately 30 booths will be available on a first come-first serve basis. Call the Chamber office at 221-1101 for

more information or to reserve your booth today! We’re looking forward to a great Expo this year!

February 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4

5 6 Ribbon Cutting

Chocolaterie

Stam

11:30 a.m.

7 Good Morning

Hannibal

Nutrition Center

7:00 a.m.

8

9 Board Meeting

Nutrition Center

7:30 a.m.

Business After

Hours - Quality

Inn 4:30-6 p.m.

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 Ribbon Cutting

Hometown Signs

& Awards

4:00 p.m.

23

24 25

26 27 28 29