Chamber honors citizens at annual banquet

The Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce held its 102nd Annual Chamber Banquet "Cham-boo Bash" last Saturday, October 7 at the fair building. The guest speaker for the event was Eric Kay.

Two awards were given out for the 2022 Business of the Year.

Dickey Animal Health was one of the winners. Dr. Dickey, his wife Sherri, and four sons – Eli, Luke, Seth and Silas – moved to Hot Springs County, Wyoming, in 2011 to take over an existing veterinary practice started by Dr. Katrin Kolder. That clinic is now Owl Creek Veterinary Service. In 2019, Dr. Dickey purchased Dr. Bill Gould's clinic in Meeteetse which is now Greybull River Veterinary Service.

The other business to receive the honor was Owl Creek Graphics. The Robinson family fell in love with Thermopolis and the people after moving here. Babie had been a stay-at-home mom and is an Air Force veteran. She was looking for a way to stay active in the community when Owl Creek Graphics went up for sale. The couple jumped at the opportunity created by the Herdt family and took over the business in January 2021.

The 2022 Non-Profit Organization of the Year honor went to the Central Wyoming 4x4 Association. Started in 2013, with a core group of three members who saw a need to protect their hobby and land use. They have had a focus on developing public awareness and areas the public can recreate responsibly. They have grown to 10+ members and have grown their reach across the Rocky Mountain Region. Travis Winger, Johnny Dorman and Bill Knighton accepted the award for the association.

The 2022 Citizen of the Year honor went to Judy Carswell. She has lived in Wyoming all her life. She moved to Thermopolis in 1997 and started volunteering with People for People at that time. She was later asked to coordinate and took over fundraising for the program. She was unable to attend the banquet.

The 2022 Volunteer of the Year honors went to Barb Heinze, Deb Tudor, Lana Nicodemus, Jana Oliver and Tawna McQueen.

Scott Alwin was honored as the 2022 Wyoming State Chamber Board Member of the Year. Alwin has served on the Board of Directors since Sept. 2022. In that time he has demonstrated his willingness to be a leader and get involved. He has volunteered to serve on committees, helped with fundraiser events and has been a sounding board for the Chief Executive Officer and other board members.

Dood Jaussaud received the Chamber Board of Directors Service Award for his service to the board from Sept. 2020-June 2023.

Chamber Board of Directors members include Shelly Burrows-President, Bradyn Harvey-Vice President, Lana Nicodemus-Treasurer, Jana Oliver-Secretary, Howie Samelson-Past President, Pastor Sam Needham, Jennifer Arends, Falina Hill, Greg Willson, Karissa Nichols, Scott Alwin and Stephanie Mohr.