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And the winners are ...
The tradition of saluting local achievement and honoring those who are setting the pace toward excellence in Nevada and Vernon County continued with the Nevada Vernon County annual Pacesetters Awards banquet Saturday. Held at the 3M Clubhouse, Nevada, on Saturday, a big crowd of well-wishers and award nominees gathered for the occasion.
Award presentations highlighted the evening.
The first award presented was the Large Business Pacesetter Award, which went to Nevada Regional Medical Center.
Presenting the award, Ron Schowengerdt noted that the hospital has expanded many services in the past year, and "increased their inventory of necessary diagnostic equipment so that patients do not have to drive long distances for these services," as well as having increased availability of many specialty services. Accepting the Award, NRMC President and CEO Judy Feuquay said, "We are here to serve you and your community... I really thank you very much for this award."
Other nominees were Heartland Behavioral Health Services and Thorco Industries.
Bethany Stewart presented the Small Business Pacesetter Award to Jenny's California Cafe, which started out as a street vendor and continues to evolve as a restaurant and has expanded hours and services offered.
"They've evolved very quickly," Stewart said.
Jenny Dunckley of Jenny's California Cafe said, "We're really glad to be here ... we really wanted to be part of the community. and we're doing that. It's an honor to be here and be a part of this community."
Other nominees were Daylight Donuts and More, and KNEM/KNMO Radio.
Sabrina Johnson presented the Community Involvement Pacesetter Award to Nevada City Manager JD. Kehrman, recognizing his volunteer efforts in support of Head Start, which nominated Kehrman. He visits the children each week and, among other things, has taught the children sign language.
Kehrman said, "I recall when I first got here in 2010 there were so many challenges ... and one of the most difficult to overcome was going to be to address is ... the fact we've got a 60 percent poverty rate here in Vernon County. What's interesting is that at Head Start, every day they're combating that issue,"
Kehrman noted the parents of the children served by Head Start's all day program are either attending school or working. "That's a direct attack on that dismal statistic," Kehrman said.
He also noted that it's good to know the children also will be supported by the Nevada R-5 Livin' Out Loud program and Vernon County Youth Task Force -- groups which, along with Curtis and Son's Realty, were other nominees for this year's Community Involvement Pacesetter Award.
The Wayne Neal Award was presented by Dave Millam. It's an award that is not given out every year -- only when the chamber president deems there's a worthy recipient. It's given to someone who "inspires, leads and promotes the community in a positive manner," said
"This year we definitely have a worthy individual," Millam said., noting that the recipient "has become one of the community's biggest cheerleaders," and has organized a plethora of grass-roots community events promoting local shopping, promoting the local music scene and more.
"I have found this gentleman to be inspiring and a great promoter of businesses, Millam said, "He's so much a threat to negativity and complacency in this town.that his middle name is not 'Dangerous,' his first name is 'Dangerous'." Dangerous Doug Harper was this year's Wayne Neal Award recipient.
"Wayne was one of the first city leaders that showed interest in me as a young person. When I was just out of high school in a band, we were really excited about it," Harper said.
In short, Neal, who was city manager at the time, showed interest and support for the project -- something that made a lasting impression on Harper.
Then Harper, in an impromptu demonstration of reason of his zeal for the community, took the opportunity to encourage businesses and neighbors to support one another.
"I just love this town, I don't want to give up on it. It's not gonna get us down, This community's awesome ... I realized when I got here, these people are my friends. This year, don't spend your money outside of town. If you can, help one another; if you can, buy something from one another. To win, this is what we have to do. We have to embrace one another," Harper said.