Honored by the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday night, were, from left, front row, Phil Schlarb and R.W. Keuhn, Pillars of the Community; Taya Ray, representing the Organization of the Year, Green Hills Recreation Association; back row, Jim Cox and Donita Youtsey, representing the Business of the Year, Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments; and Scott May and Bob Pippen, representing the Business of the Year, Modine Manufacturing.
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Kenny Rogers (Seth Cox) and Dolly Parton (Phillip Ray) performed for the crowd during the lip sync competition at Friday night’s Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.
The event, which was attended by over 250 individuals, opened with a welcome by Chamber Board President Cale Gondringer and Chamber Executive Director Debbie Carman, who also gave a year-in-review report. Ms. Carman said she hopes to soon be able to announce a new location for the chamber and license bureau, which was destroyed by a fire in February.
Gondringer also introduced members of the chamber board, who include Marshall Austin, Kathi Brewer, Chuck Jones, Dr. Lenny Klaver, Dr. Andy Cox, Micah Landes, Amy Lewis, Bob Pippen, Phillip Ray, Jackie Soptic, Ron Urton, Kim Washburn, Tara Walker, Dan Wiebers and Donita Youtsey.
Joe Brinser, a member of the Trenton Ambassadors, introduced other members who include Rachel Arnold, Chad Boyd, Sharon Barnett, Stephanie Burnfin, Robin Chambers, Megan Derry, Linda Eads, Amy Franklin, Ali Gray, Jeanie Griffin, Sue Huffstutter, Laura Kimble, Marlisa Klinginsmith, Diane Lowrey, Bonita Price, Melissa Purkapile, Lindsey Stevens, Jeb Walker, Joy Wright and student ambassador Cole Soptic.
The 2018 Pillars of the Community were R.W. Keuhn and Phil Schlarb, Keuhn, who owned and operated the Gift Nook along with his wife, Twyla, expressed his appreciation to the community for their support of his business and allowing his family to given back. Schlarb, who was both an instructor and administrator at NCMC, talked about efforts to restart a fine arts program in the community and encouraged those in attendance to help with this effort.
The Green Hills Recreation Association received the award as the Organization of the Year. Speaking on behalf of the GHRA, Taya Ray thanked the community for its support in making the organization a success. GHRA is starting its third year of offering youth recreation opportunities.
Businesses of the Year were Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments and Modine Manufacturing. Sunnyview Administrator Donita Youtsey thanked the chamber for recognizing the efforts of the business, stating that “a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into earning this award.” Bob Pippen spoke on behalf of Modin, also thanking the chamber and the community for recognizing the business and its contributions to the community.
Chad Boyd served as master of ceremonies for the lip sync contest, which featured performances by defending champion Dan Wiebers, the Trenton Ambassadors and the duo of Seth Cox and Phil Ray. Wiebers was unable to hold onto his title, which was captured by Cox and Ray. After round one, which saw the pair perform “Islands in the Stream” as Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, the two then came out as the Blues Brothers and defeated the Trenton Ambassadors, who made it to the finals by performing a medley of songs by Queen. They also lip synched to “YMCA” in the finals.