Chamber Holds Gala Noting Growth in Membership

MIDDLEPORT – Meigs County Chamber of Commerce members gathered Thursday evening for the Chamber Gala by looking back at a successful year, planning for the future and honoring those who have served the community.

Whitney Thoene, Meigs County Chamber of Commerce Director, welcomed attendees and noted the successes and achievements accomplished through the year. She said that in the past year the Meigs Chamber had grown 280 percent going from 32 members at the beginning of the year to the current number of 86.

Thoene said 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the Meigs County Chamber of Commerce and there were plans to “go big or go home” with various events to be announced later marking the milestone. She also announced that the Chamber goose had been named “R.J.” in honor of Return Jonathon Meigs, the governor of Ohio to whom the county owes it’s name.

Chamber president, Tom Sutton, also noted the change and transformation in Chamber and the community. Both Sutton and Thoene hinted at a campaign that will be launched within the next year focusing on buying local.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Meigs County,” he said, “Dollars spent in this community stay in this community.”

Sutton also thanked outgoing Chamber Board of Directors member Stephanie Cox for her work and support during her tenure. He also thanked Perry Varnadoe and Brenda Roush for their efforts and noted the cooperative efforts made between the Chamber of Commerce and the Meigs Economic Development Office.

Awards were presented with the Best First Impression going to the Merry Family Winery. Davis Pickering was awarded the Economic Impact Award. Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Weaving Stitches. The Davis P. Baker Award went to Dan Short of Ohio Valley Bank.

Two new awards were also presented at the Gala. The Lifetime Business Award went to James E. Diddle for exemplifying the business spirit in Meigs County.

The second new award was the Community Pillar Award going to Charlene Hoeflich. Hoeflich was recognizes for her years of dedication to Meigs County and the communities within it’s borders. Her years of human interest stories, coverage of local events and care for the community was highlighted. Hoeflich worked at the Athens Messenger in their Pomeroy office and then to Ohio Valley Publishing and the Daily Sentinel.

After receiving the award and two standing ovations, Hoeflich said she had “resigned but not retired” saying she would continue to be active in the community. She was also recently recognized by the Meigs County Historical Society and intends to stay active in various organizations.

The River City Players provided entertainment. The acting troupe performed “The Pilfered Piccolo” by Roger and Mary Gilmore. River City Players participating in the performance were Gary Walker, Linda Myer, Roger Gilmore, Nathan Becker, Julie Howard, Brian Howard, and Mary Gilmore.

The Players had additional help from John Hoback, Lori Miller, and Tina Rees representing Home National Bank, Farmer’s Bank, and Peoples Bank, respectively. The trio helped provide sound effects for the old radio show styled performance depicting an mystery exploit of private investigator, Sam Shovel.

The 2014 Board of Directors were noted as being Tom Sutton, Dan Short, Lori Miller, Mandie Grueser, Susan Clark-Dingess, Tracie Connolly, Stephanie Cox, John Hoback, Amber Johnson, Lisa Merry and Tom Reed.

Special thanks was extended to the Middleport Church of Christ, Mulberry Country Kitchen, K92 and Quality Print Shop for assisting in making the evening possible.