The California Area Chamber of Commerce presented awards at the annual dinner meeting Saturday, Jan. 24, held Centennial Hall at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds.
The event began with a social time with entertainment by "Mere Mortals," a bluegrass band, while guests conversed, sampled appetizers, bid on silent auction items and viewed live auction items.
On behalf of the California Ministerial Alliance, Dr. Peter Kurowski, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran, California, gave the invocation about 7 p.m., after which the guests began the dinner portion of the meeting.
After the meal, Chamber President Becky Lawson welcomed everyone and introduced those presenting the awards. Gail Hughes presented the 2014 Business of the Year Award to VisionHealth Eyecare. The award was accepted by Dr. Don Vanderfeltz, who began the business in California in 1979, with his associate Nathan Dieckow. Vanderfeltz had started in 1978 in Tipton and began in California with the purchase of Dr. Butts' business in 1979. Hughes spoke of the contributions made by Vanderfeltz over his 35 years in the community, with special reference made to the patriotic mural on the east side of his building on the courthouse square.
David Jungmeyer presented the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award to Phil Lewis. Lewis, introduced as "The Voice of California" first came to the community in 1991. He and his wife Nancy were on the California School teaching and administrative staff until they each retired. Since retirement, Lewis has remained active in the community, with the "Voice of California" title coming about because the voice messages used at the Finke Theatre and the high school auditorium. He is active as director of the California Community Ensemble and the Bell Choir.
Diane Eulinger was very surprised to be named the 2014 Volunteer of the Year by Chamber President Becky Lawson. Eulinger was even more surprised to discover 25 members of her family and extended family were present for the occasion. She said several had a five hour drive from Illinois. Eulinger has been Chamber Executive Secretary for several years.
Unforeseen circumstances led to Norris Gerhart serving as auctioneer for the live auction. Bryan Lawson assisted with the auction displaying the bid items and in the humor of the "auctioneer in training." The live and silent auction of many items donated from a number of sources included sports ticket packages, a large speaker, and much more. All of the auction proceeds of more than $4,000 go to the Chamber Scholarship Fund. The chamber annual meeting included approval of minutes of the 2014 meeting and treasurer's report. Lawson gave the president's report. A report of the 2014 Chamber Year, including the Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival, followed. Next, the new members for three-year terms of the Chamber Board of Directors were approved - Brad Baer, Melissa Bonecutter, Jenny Brown, Becky Lawson, Todd McCluskey, Robin Ratcliff, Dwight Sanders and Cale Brown. Chamber Board officer nominees for 2015 were approved - President Jason Witt, Vice President Amanda Trimble, Secretary Robin Ratcliff and Treasurer Jenny Brown.