The Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce handed out seven awards at its second annual Gala Celebration Saturday night at A Fair Barn.
The earlier announced Partners in Progress Award was presented to Roy and Beth Landers for their ongoing business development in Salem, leading to tourism activity. The business started as a tow and body shop and grew into automotive repair and development of the Iron Saddle which includes a restaurant, bar, and arena for rodeos, as well as trailer and clothing sales.
Roy Landers noted the business all began 36 years ago when he was the only employee of his start-up body shop. He says they now have 100 employees in the automotive business and another 40 to 50 at Iron Saddle.
“It’s kind of nice to get an award after many years of working in the community. And with Landers Towing and Iron Saddle Ranch, both, it’s great the community supports us like they do. They’ve always supported Landers Towing for the past 36 years and now for the last 5 years, they have supported Iron Saddle. We couldn’t be more blessed to be in a better community.”
Landers says he’s not done yet, with some future development of Iron Saddle currently under consideration.
The New Business of the Year award was presented to Trudie Smith who began Grace to You 618 on West Main Street during the past year.
“We’ve been in existence right at a year. We moved into our brick-and-mortar last November. Before that, we just did vendor shows. So the idea behind it was what we call a God Dream. There aren’t many places you can buy a Bible and hold it in your hand before you purchase it. So that really fueled the idea. And from that it morphed into well people need devotions and then maybe apparel and it blossomed from there.”
J Lane Boutique owned by Jillian Wilkins was named Business of the Year.
“I’m very proud to be part of this Chamber and community. I wholeheartedly believe that when we come together we can truly grow something amazing. I have experienced that over and over again in this little tiny town that I get to call home. Thank you for supporting our boutique and if you go to the Orchard Shopping Center, thank the McNeil’s. They have done an awesome job out there.”
The Teacher of the Year award was presented to John and Vanessa Randolph, the band and art teachers at Salem Community High School.
The Volunteer of the Year is Rob Schnicker who is involved in several volunteer groups.
“The two things I’m most proud of being involved in is Mission Centralia and Helping Hands because of all the ramps we’ve done. Because they make an immediate and lasting impact for the people we build them for. The 2nd thing is the Dream Come True Prom my wife coordinates. It’s an absolutely incredible event and it’s something that changes people’s lives.”
Schnicker says in its three first three years Mission Centralia has installed 92 ramps to help keep people in their homes.
The Legacy Award was presented to the Salem Little League for its expansion and growth. Vice President Tony Etneir accepted the award.
“It speaks volumes of the fact we are supported so much by our local business community. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you. We had over 500 kids this year and last year, I can’t speak to the history of the League but I’ve been on the board the last 5-6 years and it’s all volunteers. A lot of people out there putting in a lot of time, coaching a lot of teams.”
The Chamber Ambassador of the Year is Terri Mearns.
“This group of people is amazing. If you are not involved in the Chamber you are missing out on a great bunch of people. They have a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off your backs. So next time you think the Chamber is a bunch of stuffy doesn’t do anything group, you should follow us around sometime. We are down in the dirt like everybody else doing what needs to be done.”
Chamber Executive Director Jessiycka Coleman-Nix was pleased with the turnout that filled A Fair Barn to capacity. She was thanked at the end of the program by the chamber board and ambassadors for her leadership in putting the event together.
