March 28, 2024

‘A Place to Plant Roots’

Creston Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting highlights 2019 and paints a picture of 2020

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Creston Chamber of Commerce held it’s 80th annual meeting 6 p.m. last night at the Supertel conference center.

Members of the community filled the conference center and socialized with one another before being invited to help themselves to a buffet dinner catered by Spencer’s Steakhouse.

After the dinner had concluded, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Elizabeth Green recognized the past recipients of Citizen of the Year award and welcomed guests and new members to the chamber.

Executive Director Ellen Gerharz took the podium to thank the attendants for coming and showed her appreciation for the board of directors.

“You all make my job much easier and enjoyable,” said Gerharz. “It really does take a village.”

Gerharz went on to highlight the massive improvements made to the chamber of commerce’s websites. The old designs were unresponsive until redesigns were completed by Chris Coke of Three C Design.

Tourism volunteers were another group to receive gratitude from Gerharz and the board.

“They are the first interaction people have with our city and are wonderful ambassadors for Creston,” said Gerharz.

After the opening formalities had concluded, Mayor Pro-Tem Rich Madison provided updates on the city of Creston, highlighting the many changes the community has collaborated on. Paint Creston— a program spearheaded by the Image Enhancement Committee of the Creston Chamber of Commerce— allowed for seven Creston homes to be painted this year.

Other such updates included the completion of the Depot’s remodeling, two separate community sweep days to provide free or low-cost item removal and the downtown assessment — which is expected to be released in the near future after it concluded in September.

“These improvements to the City of Creston truly make it a place to plant roots,” said Madison.

Green returned to the podium to give her comments on the community updates. In addition to the achievements Madison had given, Green drew attention to other achievements of the year: the street improvements; the completion of the street quilt mural; and improvement to the McKinley Park trail, just to name a few.

“I know I missed a number of things,” said Green. “It wasn’t intentional, there were just so many great things going on this year. I consider myself lucky to be a business owner in this time of change.”

Rich Paulsen, publisher of Creston Publishing Company, took the floor to present the Citizen of the Year award to Tom Lesan and the Youth Honoree of the Year Award to Spencer Lane. Paulsen remarked on both individuals’ contributions to the community and presented them with their awards.

As a salute to this being the sesquicentennial year of Creston, Darwin West presided over a pie auction to raise money for the chamber. Five pies were provided, and by the conclusion of the auction the lowest winning bid was $150.

Following the auction, Green awarded the Union County Historical Society with the Volunteers of the Year Award for their service to Creston. At this time, Green also gave a special acknowledgment to Ed Ritter, owner of Petznick Printing Company. After 48 years, Ritter has announced his intentions to retire.

Nearing the conclusion of the annual meeting, Green thanked the retiring board members and held the election of officers and board members, accepting the slate for 2020. Green then turned the podium over to Chris Lane, the next president of the Creston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Lane presented Green with a plaque for her dedicated service. Lane proceeded to thank everyone in attendance for a great year and showed enthusiasm for the future ahead.

The chamber stated that the year had been a milestone for the city of Creston but believe that there are even greater things to come.

“2019 was special,” said Gerharz. “But in 2020, we’re moving onward and upward.