Chamber Pacesetters recognized

The place to be in Nevada Saturday night was at the Eagles Lodge for the annual chamber of commerce banquet with a theme "Aloha Nevada." Kathi Wysong, director, described the even as great food with tremendous chamber enthusiasts.

The pacesetter awards are a great way of recognizing special businesses, organizations and persons who are outstanding. These are people working hard to make Nevada and Vernon County better for all of us. It means much to the recipients. It is good to give recognition for what they have done. It also gives them encouragement to continue their special efforts and provides encouragement to others to keep striving for providing good service. The recipients were the stars recognized Saturday night.

Nominations were solicited from the entire 325 chamber membership. The list was narrowed down to the top three or four finalists in each category. With all of these deserving finalists it is always difficult to select the honorees.

The Individual Pacesetter went to a person that has done tremendous things for the community and for the state, Terry Ramsey coordinator for the Bushwhacker Museums. This award is recognition for superior contributions to our community at large. Each of the finalists has given unselfishly of their time and energy to the promoting of Nevada and Vernon County, constantly striving to make it better through their actions and deeds.

Russ Warren, news director for KNEM/KNMO, the 2006 Pacesetter of the year made the presentation. When he introduced Terry as a finalist he said that she is widely respected for our Bushwhacker museum's success, national Civil War heritage efforts, statewide tourism efforts" and more.

During the presentation Russ said, "We appreciate and recognize all you do for this town -- your dedication and commitment, your presence in statewide and multi state historical forums, leading the museums to such improved and highly celebrated status. We in Nevada are the lucky ones to have you constantly working with us and for us."

Russ is right about us in Nevada being the lucky ones. It is great that Terry came to Nevada to work. Through her leadership one of the best museums that you can find anywhere has been developed and the development continues.

A friend from out of town was amazed when he visited the museum. He said that this is a type of museum that you might find in a much larger community. It is a great place tor tourists to visit (and certainly for the local people of this community).

She is also active in many ways in the community including being involved with the chamber. Much could be said about her leadership in the region and on the state level. She is a leader not only in this community, but in other levels. She represents this community well.

With the meaningful experience that Terry had by receiving this special recognition she felt the banquet makes for a pleasant evening.

She described the award a compliment to herself and also all of the volunteers. There is something about being recognized that makes a person feel good. She expressed that it is nice to have recognition on the state level, but it is more important to have the recognition in the home town.

Congratulations goes to Terry Ramsey for being named as the 2007 Pacesetter of the year. There is no reservation but that you are a well deserving of this special recognition. Also Terry, may the rain not fall on your parade.

It is a special honor for anyone to be named as a finalist for the pacesetter. The other three finalists are also well deserving of special recognition and much could be said about each of them. They are Leslie Carroll-Bartlett, University of Missouri Extension and Outreach, Judy Feuquay, CEO at Nevada Regional Medical Center and Barbara Long, Community Outreach director.

As I have said before, Leslie is one of those persons I look up to -- for all of the things that she does. She is multi-talented, innovative, lives and loves life through work at the TeleCenter, volunteer efforts at the University of Missouri Extension Council, the Lions (a past-president), the spinners, Farmer's Market, her church and much more. As Russ said, "She's everywhere."

An important institution to this community is the NRMC which celebrated their 70th anniversary. Judy heads up this special institution and as CEO has turned around the service levels, team leadership, civic and professional involvement locally and regionally, as well as state recognition with Missouri Hospital Association.

There is a great need for the Community Outreach for this community and it serves a valuable need. As director Barbara not only has sustained an enormous food pantry operation but works to better those individuals she and the many volunteers lend assistance to. She does many things to help meet the needs of people.

Special congratulations go to Leslie, Judy and Barbara, for being finalists for the Pacesetter Award. Thank you for all the many great things that you do for society.

Other Pacesetter awards will be discussed in future columns.