All eyes were on award winners at the annual Haxtun Chamber of Commerce banquet last week as former Director Sara Firme and new Director Jenny Oberle took the stage to announce 2019 year-end awards at the Haxtun Community Center. Those in attendance were treated to a banquet-style meal provided by Happy Jack's BBQ, of Holyoke, before the evening's presentation.

The evening kicked off with Firme taking the podium, welcoming those in attendance following a happy hour featuring drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The event's theme, "Lights, Camera, Haxtun!" was etched into table top decorations with red and gold detail and popcorn souvenirs.

"Last year, I stood in front of you as the Chamber Director," Firme told the audience. "This year, I stand before you as a Chamber BMember and one of the Chamber's many cheerleaders."

Firme said as she looked back on 2019, the phrase "growing pains" came to mind. "I would like to tell you that 2019 was marked with record number of chamber members or a record number of profits from our Chamber sponsored events, but that isn't the case," she said. "So instead, let's focus on the positives of last year, the community members that have been nominated tonight and the 2020 forecast for the Chamber."

While membership numbers were down, Firme said the Chamber did welcome many new members, adding some from both sides of Phillips County and a few from Logan County.

Walking through the year as a review, Firme said in May, the Haxtun Chamber Foundation was finalized and deemed a valid non-profit both by the State of Colorado and the Internal Revenue Service. In the same month, she said, the Chamber hosted the Pasta with a Purpose event to raise funds for youth development. With help from Heginbotham, the Chamber was able to secure funding to again support the Ogallala Commons internship, as well as funds for other youth engagement events.

A month later, Firme said Tanley Andersen joined the Chamber for her second summer internship. Andersen hopes to one day obtain a degree in marketing so she spent her summer creating marketing components for the Chamber and its sponsored events, increasing engagement on the Chamber's Facebook page and learning what it's like to work for a non-profit.

In July, the Chamber hosted the 32nd annual Old-Fashioned Saturday Night and organizers brought back the poker run. "They also bought a new crowd to the event," Firme said. "With the addition of the poker run, the committee increased the event's profits."

The 98th Haxtun Corn Festival took place in September organized by committee chairs Alicia Schram and Kristin Hadeen. Firme said the committee welcomed Haxtun graduate Greg Fetzer and his brewery, The Emporium, to serve his brews in the Chamber beer garden. "In my eyes, this perfectly illustrates Haxtun and its overwhelming need to support its own - even if they aren't currently living in the community," Firme added.

In October, Firme passed the title of Director to Oberle and she began work on Haxtun's Country Christmas, held in December. "I don't know about you, but seeing Haxtun's main street lit up and filled with cars always makes me thankful to be able to call Haxtun home," Firme said.

In closing, Firme thanked those who supported her in her Chamber role. "Stepping away from something I poured my heart into was not an easy choice," Firme said. "I ask that you pass along the same grace you showed me when I was hired in 2015 to Jenn as she navigates her way through her first year."

Next up, Firme and Oberle took the stage to honor recipients of 2019 Chamber sponsored awards, beginning with Business Person of the Year. Those nominated include Joleen Stroyek, with the Haxtun Hospital District, and winner Ryan Horton, of Red J Welding.

"Ryan started Red J Welding less than five years ago. In that time, he has become the go-to repair guy in our community," Horton's nomination letter read. "Earning the trust of countless farmers and ranchers with projects that range from simple repair to large cattle facilities. Ryan has five full-time employees that he manages, while also welding full-time, plus some. He started his business with one welding rig and has built it up to now having three rigs and a very busy shop. Ryan is the epitome of the entrepreneurial spirit. He strives to grow his business while providing a service and filing the needs of the community of Haxtun and surrounding area."

Two employees were nominated for the Employee of the Year Award, including Danyell Horton, with Anderson Ag/Red J Welding, and award winner Ron Shipman, with the Haxtun School District.

"Ron is a bright light to everyone he sees," his nomination letter said. "He is the custodian at the Haxtun Elementary and he is always smiling and encouraging others. He not only is amazing at his job, but he genuinely cares for the staff and students at the school. The children all feel loved by Mr. Ron and high five him in the hall and are always receiving kind words and smiles. I wish everyone had a Mr. Ron in their life to start their days off. He blesses everyone around him."

Two people were nominated for the Volunteer of the Year Award, including Melinda Groshans, with the United States Postal Service, and Lester Weers, this year's winner, with the Haxtun Meet and Eat group.

Lester's nomination letter read, "The Haxtun Meet and eat would love to nominate Lester Weers for Volunteer of the Year for his outstanding contribution to the community for all his volunteer work for Meet and Eat. His volunteer work includes making drinks, setting up tables, he welcomes everyone that comes in the door and serves them beverages and meals as he actively engages in conversations with attendees. Once Meet and Eat is over, he cleans by doing dishes, taking out the trash and making sure things are clean and tidy. He goes above and beyond volunteering his time and love for this community."

This year's Golden Star award went to Vicki Fuesz, with Retread Threads. The award is given annually to an outstanding member of the Chamber. "In 2012, Retread Threads opened its doors with a three-part vision of helping our community and surrounding communities with the following: find affordable clothing and household goods, provide an opportunity of employment for a young parent and fill one of the empty storefronts on Haxtun's main street," her letter said. "These goals have been met and maintained, but only through the efforts of volunteers who have given of their time and talents. Although she would deflect any personal recognition for the store's success, one particular volunteer should be recognized ... Vicki Fuesz. Vicki is well respected for her passion and commitment to the Missions Committee and our beloved Haxtun community. In addition to volunteering more than 1,700 hours last year, Vicki has coordinated a diverse group of stakeholders and provided the leadership needed to meet the vision of the store. She has invested so much of her being into ensuring that all the donors and volunteers understand the stores mission. She takes great pleasure in helping those in need through difficult situations. Volunteers at Retreads have shared that the store would not be where it is today without Vicki's hard work and dedication. Our community volunteers' unselfish acts of kindness in serving our community often go unnoticed. Thank you for this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the difference Vicki makes in our little corner of the world. Vicki's role with Retread Threads will be changing this year and we should not miss this opportunity to recognize her for all she's accomplished. Vicki Fuesz is definitely deserving of the Golden Star Award."

Haxtun youth, Kendrick Fetzer, received this year's Youth of the Year Award. Kendrick attends Haxtun High School. His letter reads, "Kendrick Fetzer exemplifies what we believe are the qualities of an outstanding young adult in our school and community. Kendrick is a quality leader who works hard and with a great attitude. First, Kendrick is a quality member of Haxtun High School. In school, Kendrick has lettered in FFA, FBLA and the Scholastic Clay Target Program. In FBLA, Kendrick has competed at the state and national level. In FFA, Kendrick has held leadership roles including sentinel, secretary and treasurer. Although Kendrick doesn't participate in school athletics, he can always be seen in the stands cheering on his peers. As a National Honor Society member, Kendrick maintained the sig near the Haxtun railroad tracks of upcoming school activities. In class, Kendrick works hard and demonstrates the qualities of a great learner. Outside of school, Kendrick was involved in the Boy Scouts for many years. At every football game, he can be found raising and lowering our country's flag. He has also carried the flag at Corn Festival for the American Legion. In our community, you might see Kendrick working at the Haxtun Building Center. Kendrick has worked there during school breaks and on some weekends for approximately two years. If he has provided service to you, you certainly will have noticed his positive attitude and willingness to help."

The Daily Grind brew crew of Laura Coffin, Sherry Salvador, Nancy Acosta and Sara Firme won the Employee Group of the Year Award following a nomination from owner Laurie Koellner.

"Here we go ... ready or not, we are about to enter 2020. As most of you now that 2019 was a little rough for me. It was also amazing. I remember a point in ICU when I tried to tell my mom that I was going to have to close the Daily Grind. Ugh, just thinking about that is making me cry. She said, 'Why?' I remember thinking, what the heck does she mean, why? I mouth the words, look at me. I can't move. I can't talk. We have no idea how long I'll be like this. It's just too much. She just said, 'we will talk about that later.' And you know what, later never happened. Laura and my mom shared my role and Laura and Nancy committed to extra shifts. Sherry remained reliable and I've never heard a complaint from any of them about the extra they had to carry. Jess Stone was hired for the summer, right before my stroke, and she ended up being such a blessing to help everyone handle the load. And when Jess headed back to school, Sara came back on board. How awesome is that? Our customers remained supportive and things kept going. And the truth is, if I came back home after those three months to a closed business, I know I would have really been lost. We opened a little over 11 years ago. The Daily Grind was my dream, my baby. I still get to have that today, Haxtun gets to have that today, because of what those girls did for me and The Daily Grind and the Haxtun community."

One large group, made up of Candy Hofmeister, Yvonne Otto, Deb MacCrone, Cyndy Pace and Ricci Dreier won the Volunteer Group of the Year Award. "The flower volunteers are a group of ladies that got together and decided to plant flowers for the patients, residents, visitors and employees of the Haxtun Hospital," their nomination letter states. "They planted flowers in all of the flower beds at the hospital including the new planters in front of the building. They then set up a schedule where someone came every day to weed, water and feed the flowers so that they looked beautiful all summer long. They did all of this without being asked, without being paid and even made sure that someone came every day to keep things looking good. They truly made a positive difference."

Two businesses were nominated for the annual Fix-up/Paint-up Award including Prairie II, Mark and Adam Oman, and The Turquoise Chandelier, owned by Allison Horton. The 2019 award went to The Turquoise Chandelier in Paoli.

First Dollar Plaques were presented to the following new Chamber members: Potter Portable Toilets, The Turquoise Chandelier, Generation Good Respect, Durbin Enterprises, AirMedCare, Phillips County Family Education Department, Wilson's Repair, Pfaltzgraff Farms and Chandler Wines.

At the end of the evening, Oberle ran through the list of names of each community member who served on a Chamber sponsored event in 2019, thanking each for their volunteer efforts. She also recognized the 2019 Board of Directors including Julie Thayer, Dewane Pace, Jessica Beck, Diane Fryrear, Alan Nall and Firme.

Herald photo by Candie Fix

HAXTUN CHAMBER Director Jenn Oberle, left, is pictured with 2019 Golden Star Award winner Vicki Fuesz.