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Chamber honors community contributors

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The Chamber’s most prestigious awards went to Mary Antoine and Aaron Kramer. Mary received the President’s Award from Curt Zinkle and Aaron accepted the C.F. La Pointe plaque from CEO Bob Moses.

Among the honorees at the Sept. 14 Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce banquet were the George Family Foundation, with the Philanthropy Award, and Pizza Hut, for 40 years of service. Pictured (from left) are Roy George, Cindy (George) Standorf, Chamber CEO Bob Moses, Penny (George) Remz, Pizza Hut Manager Cindy Spiker and Chamber Board President Curt Zinkle. (Photos by Gary Howe)

Crawford County Title was shown appreciation for the company’s community investment. Pictured with their chamber award are (from left) Sue Groom, Char Bender, Jim Johnson and Hope Woodman.

Joe Cerven displays the plaque he and his parents, Greg and Rhonda, received from the chamber recognizing The Local Oven’s community investment.

The Dousman House in Prairie du Chien was bursting with business and industry conversations and energy Thursday evening, Sept. 14, as the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual meeting and awards presentation. Over 175 chamber members and guests attended.

The night’s crowning moment gave prominence to a small, distinguished group of community investment-minded movers and shakers.

•The C.F. La Pointe Award, bestowed by Chamber CEO Bob Moses, was given to former City Administrator Aaron Kramer for his contributions to the community of Prairie du Chien from January 2010 to March 2017. Kramer’s achievements during his tenure included improving and stabilizing the city of Prairie du Chien’s budget and financial situation, and guiding the chamber through several new initiatives and programs in economic development. He also was instrumental in the upgrade to Hoffman Hall, the purchase of two new fire trucks, an increase in spending toward the city’s roads, and the expansion/modernization of the public library.

The C.F. La Pointe Award is the most prestigious and longstanding award the Chamber bestows upon its members. It is named for Fred LaPointe, who was the Chamber’s executive director from 1976 through 1994. The C.F. La Pointe Award is given to an employee of, or an owner of, a Chamber member business who goes above and beyond their normal job related duties to enrich the Prairie du Chien community.

•The President’s Award was presented by Chamber Board President Curt Zinkle to Mary Antoine, chairperson of the Prairie du Chien Tourism Council. Antoine was born and raised in Prairie du Chien and was the former curator at the Villa Louis. She’s written numerous articles and books on Prairie du Chien history and also serves as president of the Prairie du Chien Historical Society.

The President’s Award is given annually to someone who has demonstrated outstanding participation and service to the chamber’s officers, board and members.

•Two downtown businesses were honored with Community Investment Awards, including The Local Oven and Crawford County Title.

The Community Investment Award is given to a business or individuals who make a substantial financial investment to the Prairie du Chien business community. The recipient is recognized for their outstanding community service contributions such as special programs, partnerships, job creation, in-kind support of goods and services, employee volunteerism or other activities that have resulted in a positive impact on a community, an organization, or its citizens.

The Local Oven has been owned by Greg, Rhonda and Joe Cerven for a number of years. The local foods bakery and gift shop moved from its original location this past year and has expanded its offerings greatly. The business is also an essential participant in many local and chamber events.

Crawford County Title Services provides title insurance, lien searches, insured closings, construction services, full abstracting services, and VIP reports for realtors. Jim Johnson was in the abstract and title business for about 10 years before he and Char Bender purchased Crawford County Title together in 1995. They hired their first employee in 2000 and their second in 2002. Having worked out of its downtown location since 2002, they expanded into the entire first floor of the same building and moved in, in early June, and say they couldn’t be happier.

•An award for years of service was presented to Pizza Hut for 40 years in Prairie du Chien. Cindy Spiker, manager, has been there since the very beginning. The first remodel, adding extra space, took place in 1987. The second remodel came in 2014, as the building was recreated to become more modern. Pizza Hut is proud of its charitable contributions to several local organizations, such as Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter, the Jaycees with the Operation Santa, while also taking pride in its communications and programs with the local school. The Book It Program, which has been part of Pizza Hut since 1984, works to increase students’ interest in reading.

The local Pizza Hut is owned by Daland Company, based out of Wichita, Kan. The company was formed in 1976 and owns 106 businesses in 12 states.

•Finally, a Philanthropy Award was given to the George Family Foundation, a locally-founded organization based on Roy and Jerry George’s desires to give back to the community that supported them for many years in the grocery business. The foundation was established in 1996. Its mission is to assist programs and individuals who have a vision and plan to better the long-term quality of life within a 25-mile radius of Prairie du Chien. It has granted over $350,000 in funds to a diverse group of deserving entities.

Some of the George Family Foundation’s beneficiaries have included Crossing Rivers Health, the Opportunity Center, Boy Scouts, local high schools, St. Feriole Island Ball Park, Eagle Scouts, Eagles Heart and Cancer Telethon, Fort Crawford Museum, Villa Louis projects, the Prairie du Chien Fire Department and the Wauzeka First Responders.

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