Annual Dinner
The Morton Chamber of Commerce annual dinner was held on Saturday, January 21 at the Embassy Suites. A crowd of more than 240 individuals joined in the celebration of 2011. Highlights of the evening:
Distinguished Service Award: Roger Kilpatrick, Superintendent, Morton School District 709
Volunteer of the Year: Dan Schmidt, Morton Community Bank
2012 Morton Pumpkin Festiaval Theme: Peace, Love & Pumpkins
The evening kicked off with a video recapping 2011, our programs, events and committees. John Feser thanked our outgoing board members: Mike Kuhl, Jason Scarfe, James Benckendorf and Allan Hart for their service. He then passed the presidential gavel to Katie VandenBerg, owner of Eli's Coffee Shop. She will serve as Board President for 2012. She took time to highlight strategies for the new year.
Aaron Miller, Coldwell Banker Honig Bell, spoke on the Chamber Ambassadors and thanked our outgoing individuals: Josh Blazier, Brian Card, Mike Grimm, Ryan Jones and Terry Schultz. Each of them serving 4 years as an Ambassador.
Linc Hobson, Home Instead Senior Care, presented a special award to two outgoing Festival Chairmen: Phil Witzing, served 12 years as the Pancake Breakfast Chair and Don Farden, who served 18 years at the Pop-n-Chop chair.
Nick Graff, Illinois Central College, introduced another video announcing the 2012 Morton Pumpkin Festival Theme: Peace Love and Pumpkins!
Janice Sherman, Morton Public Library, introduced the 2011 Chamber Volunteer of the Year: Dan Schmidt, MCB Bank
Paul Grethy, owner Johnson's Floral and 2011 DSA recipient, introduced and welcomed the 2012 Distinguished Service Award recipient: Roger Kilpatrick, Superintendent of Morton School District 709.
A special thank you to Totally Kreative Video for their video compilations showcased at the Annual Dinner. Check them out on our Morton Chamber of Commerce You Tube Channel!
A special thank you to our Dinner Sponsors:
Morton Villa & Morton Terrace Care Centers
Mike Murphy Ford
CEFCU
Garber Heating & Air Conditioning
Foster Jacob
American PC Solutions
Prospect Sound & Lighting