The Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce held their annual meeting and banquet on Saturday (March 21). The ‘Victory Ball’, an evening 80 years in the making as the Chamber celebrated its own anniversary as well, recognized milestone anniversaries and recipients of special awards.
Attendees were treated to a roast beef and roasted turkey dinner and had the opportunity to support the chamber through a silent auction to begin the evening. Two raffles also had drawings to end the evening with proceeds going to the chamber.
After dinner, special awards were presented. The winners appear below alongside the others nominated.
Citizen of the Year
– Julie Toline (winner)
– Janet Kalinowski
– Chris Anderson
– Steve Fowler
– Rod Sonnichsen
– Rick Maas
– Jan Custer
– Craig Safranek
– Dell Moninger
– Lois Clay
– Dave Birnie
Non-profit Organization of the Year (tie)
– Prairie Pioneer Center (winner)
– Broken Bow Lions Club (winner)
– Healing Hearts and Families
– Custer Chrisitian School
– Broken Bow ALS Transport (Broken Bow Ambulance Service)
– Custer County Salvation Army
Excellence in Customer Service- Business
– Broken Bow Floral & Plant Studio (winner)
– Bruning Bank
– Ranchland Ford
– Dana F. Cole & Company
– Grocery Kart
Excellence in Customer Service- Individual
– Helen Forster (winner)
– Jacob Andrews
– Grant Chapin
– Brianna Coleman
– Julie Hueftle
– Paul Holland
– Tytus Millsap
– Mitchell Porter
– Julie Jacobsen
Business of the Year
– Grocery Kart (winner)
– Verizon
– Broken Bow Dental
– Shelter Insurance
– Runza
– Lyne’s Appliance
– Broken Bow Floral & Plant Studio
Milestone years were recognized for businesses and nonprofits who are chamber members from 5 years to 145 years. The American Red Cross (145 years) and Ansley Lumber & Supply (140 years) were the two longest-standing organizations, while nine different businesses were recognized for five years.
Broken Bow Floral and Plant Studio was the longest-standing business in attendance, being recognized for 100 years.
In addition to the chamber itself, the Broken Bow Elks Lodge #1688 was recognized for 80 years and joining them in attendance in high-number length of time was the Nebraska One Box Gun Club (65 years).
In recognition of continued business community growth, the chamber recognized seventeen new businesses that got their start in the last year.
