Chamber announces nominees

The Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce have announced their nominees for 2019 business, non-profit and citizen of the year.

Nominees for 2019 Business of the Year are: Storyteller, Wyoming Whiskey, Discover Thermopolis Print Zone, One Stop Repair, Vicklund Pharmacy, The Shoppe, Hot Springs Vet Clinic, Dairyland, Star Plunge and Pinnacle Bank.

For Non-Profit Organization, nominees are: Main Street Thermopolis, Hot Springs County Library, Community Federated Church, Town of Thermopolis, Hot Springs County School District Number 1, Big Horn Basin Children’s Center, Big Horn Enterprises, Hope Agency and Wyoming Pioneer Home.

For Citizen of the Year, the nominees are: auctioneer John Gerrells, Greg Willson of Ram’s Head Insurance, State Park Superintendent Kevin Skates, Deb Tudor of Black Bear Catering, first responder James Coates, pharmacist Tony Deromedi, veterinarian Dr. Bill Williams, Howie and Suzanne Samelson of Discover Thermopolis, pastor of the Risen Son Church Brian Johnson and Sharon Skiver of the Wyoming Pioneer Home.

Former presidents Reg Filkey, Greg Willson and Meri Ann Rush were also part of the voting. Rush said during their meeting members had the option to nominate someone who was not on the list. 

Filkey voiced another nomination for Non-Profit, the Hot Springs County Fire Department, the Firemen, a branch of the Fire District. He said he was concerned that some people take them for granted. “They risk their life, they’re non-salary, they don’t ask for anything yet they provide lots of entertainment like the Fireman’s Ball. They want to have some money so they can have fireworks. They’re one terrific organization. I truly feel they at least need to be considered as a possibility for nomination.”  

Winners will be announced and honored at the 99th Annual Chamber Banquet on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the Hot Springs County Fair Building.  At 5:30 p.m. there will be a No Host Cocktail Hour with Shorty’s Liquor and at 6:30 p.m. dinner will be served by Black Bear Catering.

For the Banquet, the Guest Speaker will be John Sollo, entrepreneur and appraiser for the Antique Road Show. Tickets are $40 or $340 for a table of eight. For additional information, contact the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce at 864-3192.

In other business at the February 13 meeting, the Chamber approved a strategic plan that includes a $150 per month increase of their savings.

The Chamber also approved the application for a Board of Director for Jen Aarons to replace the vacancy left by Vivian Butchart. Aarons is the owner of Black Bear Cafe and was invited to be there in person but was sick. Aaron was the 5th person on the previous ballot for appointing and filling the seat from Butchart. Her seat expires in October 2021. According to bylaws, any vacancy they can appoint, which will take them up to a board full of 12 people, is approved. 

Chamber member Howie Samelson reported that he is working on the Brewfest plans and said the Town of Thermopolis has approved Main Street to continue with the decorative lighting program. The Town needs a map of their phases of progress.

Samelson said for the decorative lighting, “It’s probably the most visible thing that Main Street has actually done, even though there are things like Brewfest but year-round visibility, everybody sees it, not just people attending an event, people visiting, people coming down the hill, we’re really happy with that, as Main Street we’re really proud of it.” 

Rush added that National Main Street is selecting four states and three communities in the states to do a facade grant which would help building owners if they wanted to update the facade. “We were highly encouraged by Wyoming Main Street to submit a letter,” said Rush.

For the board member’s report, Pastor Sam Needham said that Lloyd LaFave who moved from Casper to Thermopolis is making plans to use the Thermopolis Golf Course as a cross-country ski track.