CELEBRATE PROGRESS - CHAMBER ANNUAL BANQUET RECOGNIZES PROGRESS IN GREATER CENTRALIA AREA
The Centralia Chamber of Commerce hosted Celebrate Progress - Chamber Annual Banquet Thursday, Feb. 5 at Kaskaskia College’s Lifelong Learning Center.
With an audience of 220 in attendance, the event featured a speech from Marion County Associate Judge, Ericka Sanders, award presentations to this year’s “Partners in Progress”, a total of seven awards handed out for outstanding chamber member business anniversaries, the honoring of outgoing chamber board members, and a Legacy Award presentation to two of Centralia’s most prolific entrepreneurs.
The evening began with “A Taste of Our Community”, which featured a variety of bites, drinks and desserts from several local restauranteurs and establishments. Participating businesses included Castle Ridge, Centralia House Restaurant, Crooked Creek Winery, C’s Sweets Specialty Cupcakes, From Agnes’s Kitchen, Kretzer’s Grill & Bar, Juicy Jay Collection, Melinda’s Coffee + Bistro, Simply Soul, and Wintea Express.
Keynote speaker, Judge Ericka Sanders led the program, discussing how organizations like All Hours of Love and the Centralia Community Youth Center have continued to help those in need and how the business community has enriched the quality of life in Centralia and given hope to those who need it.
Chamber board president Makalia Atkins offered some insight into her own journey as a business professional in Centralia, while honoring outgoing board members Jesus Santiago and Wes Monken. Atkins, along with chamber director Marcus Holland would then present a surprise award to Rachel Wallace for her years of service on the Chamber board.
Chamber membership director Matthew Packman presented awards to seven local businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries. This included Jeff’s Chem Dry, celebrating 25 years; Centralia Coin & Stamp, Inc., celebrating 35 years; Bandy’s Pharmacy, celebrating 50 years; WJBD Radio, celebrating 70 years; Kaskaskia College, celebrating 85 years; Centralia Business and Professional Women, celebrating 100 years; and Byrd Watson Pharmacy celebrating 120 years.
Holland then presented “Partners in Progress” awards to Bradford National Bank; Heather Day and the Day family, owners of Colonial Golf Course and Mae Day Gaming; and Travis Etheridge, co-owner of The Insurance Alliance and owner of Hank’s Lounge and Jack’s - Let’s Play.
The evening concluded with Rob Jackson, economic development director for the City of Centralia, presenting the Chamber’s Legacy Award to Mindy and Shannon Cooney in acknowledgement of their decades’ worth of investments in the Greater Centralia Area through Repurpose Development, Cooney Hospitality Group, and Crooked Creek Winery.
The Chamber wishes to thank all who attended and participated in “A Taste of Our Community”, and would like to extend a special thank-you to VIP sponsor Kaskaskia College and Event Sponsors Bradford National Bank, Juicy Jay Collection, Jerry’s Grill & Bar, Kretzer’s Grill & Bar, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.
