Dadeville, AL – Almost 200 residents, business partners, government officials and community leaders gathered January 24th for the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet held at White Acres Farm in Camp Hill. Masters of Ceremony Kurt Pfitzner and Gary “GW” Warren along with Chamber President Michael Carter honored 4 individuals who have made a difference in the Dadeville community. In addition to the awards, the Chamber made donations to the United Way and the Dadeville Elementary School.
Receiving the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award this year was Cheryl Haggerty. Cheryl was recognized for her involvement in a variety of community activities to include establishing a local Art Guild, Everything’s Art, reinvigorating the Dadeville Tree Lighting Ceremony and serving as a driving force behind the creation of Raining Dogs Art Gallery.
Jane and Greg Harris of Chuck’s Marina on Lake Martin were awarded the Business of the Year for their community activism as well as helping to put Lake Martin on the map. From hosting the Calypso Art Festival to fundraising for various nonprofit groups, Chuck’s Marina has continued to exemplify all that is “good” on Lake Martin.
“The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce is delighted to honor two great individuals for all that they do for our business community, the City of Dadeville and Lake Martin area,” said Master of Ceremony GW Warren. “Greg and Jane Harris are great contributors to the overall success of the Lake Martin Area in addition to their numerous charitable contributions throughout the area.”
This year the Chamber also introduced a new award, the Laeman Butcher Lifetime Achievement Award, which is based around a lifetime of social activism conducted with selflessness , honor and integrity. The Chamber’s first recipient for this altruistic award was Mr. William “Bill” Ponder of Dadeville, for his work in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations focusing on historical preservation, the arts and community welfare. Mr. Michael Carter and Ms. Karen White (Mr. Laeman Butcher’s daughter) presented the award.
Finally, Michael Carter presented a $2500 check to Ms. Sharon Fuller, Director of the United Way, and a $2100 check to Belinda Siggers Whaley and Rance Kirby, Dadeville Elementary School Principal, to help fund the updating of the Dadeville Elementary School library.
The event was sponsored by the Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce and supported by businesses in and around the Lake Martin area.
