Awards and honors at Chamber of Commerce annual meeting

GARNER – Awards and recognition were presented to business leaders at the Garner Chamber of Commerce annual meeting on Feb. 9. The meeting was held at the Duncan Community Ballroom.

Deb Schmidt was presented the Volunteer of Year Award for 2022. Schmidt explained why she takes an active role in the community.

“I believe what the Bible says ‘so shall you sow, so shall you reap’ We are put on this earth to serve others and use the talents and gifts God gives us. I have volunteered in church and do mission work for His glory as long as I have been a Christian. My love for Garner started when our kids got to school. I was always where my kids were, so I volunteered a lot for their activities.”

Schmidt served on the Garner City Council from 2004-2016. Construction of the Garner Aquatic Center occurred during her tenure on the council.

 “The pool took a lot of time but I was convinced our kids needed a new pool and the city needed more ‘quality of life’ items,” she noted.

Schmidt has been involved with Garner’s Duesey Days Celebration for about 40 years. After leaving the city council, she became a Chamber of Commerce board member. 

“I feel we live in such a great community and that the school, chamber, and city work together as one. All three could not continue doing and offering the services they do without all the volunteers it takes to make the wonderful community it is.”

The 2022 Pillar of the Community Award was presented to Leader editor, Rebecca Peter. 

Peter has a 45-year career in community journalism. She was news editor/reporter for The Reporter and The Democrat – twin weekly newspapers in Emmetsburg, Iowa - from 1978 to 2000. She returned to her hometown roots in August of 2000 when she joined the staff of the Garner Leader (now The Leader).

“It’s been an honor and a privilege covering events and people of Garner and Hancock County,” she said. “Thank you for your continued support of community journalism and for The Leader.”

New Board Members

The evening included the installation of Angela Nelson, Zach Hermanson and Bethany Fisher as the new members on the Garner Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Angela Nelson is a news director and marketing executive at KIOW Radio in Forest City. She serves as the Garner Chamber of Commerce marketing executive at Coloff Media/KIOW. Nelson also serves as secretary for ASAP (Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention), and is a member of the Britt Chamber of Commerce Board.

Zach Hermanson is a Realtor for Hall Reality. Working out of the Hall Realty’s State Street office has given Zach a new perspective of Garner and ignited a desire to be more involved. He enjoys participating in Chamber events such as the Treats on the Street in October and business ribbon cuttings. Hermanson is also a member of the Garner Rotary and the Clear Lake Chamber Harvest Fest and First Mates committees.

Bethany Fisher is the owner of the Trendy Pineapple Boutique in Garner, which opened for business in September. She has always had passion for fashion and supporting small businesses and looks forward to being involved with the community and supporting local businesses. Fisher was a board member on Members 1st Credit Union for three years.

President Matt Schoneman reported the Chamber of Commerce welcomed 30 new members in 2022.

Duesey Days

“Rockin’ 2023 Duesey Style" is the theme for Duesey Days, July 7-9. Ross Statlander will be the Duesey Days Parade Grand Marshal. 

The entertainment line-up includes the Pork Tornadoes, Farm Rock and Six Pack Jack. The Duesey Days Car Show will be presented by the Untouchable Car Club.

Volunteers are urgently needed for Duesey Days. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 923-3993.

Anniversary Awards

Awards celebrating milestone years were presented to numerous businesses and organizations.

5 Years - Bradford Tax & Accounting Financial, Duesey Car Wash, Kwik Star, Midwest Duct Works

10 Years – Avery Movie Theater, Country Meadow Place, Garner Golf Course Association, Garner Lumber Company, Greiman Construction, Signs & Designs by Liz

20 Years – Athletico Physical Therapy, Styles in Motion

25 Years – Absolute Waste, B-G Farms

30 Years – Malek’s Lawn & Tree Service, Plas-Tech Tooling

45 Years – KIOW 107.3, Ollenberg Motors

50 Years – BrickStreet Theatre, Garland & Rodriguez Law Office, New Cooperative

55 Years – CF Industries, Inc.

60 Years – Concord Care Center, DK Arndt  P.C.

95 Years – Reliance State Bank

100 Years – United Way of North Central Iowa

105 Years – Hancock County Farm Bureau & Insurance, ISU Extension/Hancock County Extension, NIACC – Community Education.

110 Years – Pritchard Auto of Garner

120 Years – Hancock County Abstract Company, Inc.