EVANSTON — The Evanston Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the City of Evanston, held its seventh annual awards banquet Friday afternoon.

Each year the chamber and city award outstanding businesses and individuals who have positively impacted the community.

This year, the banquet was held during the noonday hour at the Legal Tender Restaurant, instead of an evening event as in years past.

David Bassett from Wyoming Department of Workforce Services was the master of ceremonies for the banquet, while Evanston Mayor Kent Williams and newly-appointed chamber president Nicole Espy handed out the awards.

The beautifully-crafted awards were made by Shelly Dean Horne of Creative Ink Images.

“They always do such a fantastic job on the awards,” said chamber executive assistant Sadie Rabold.

Awards were given to businesses and individuals in the following categories: New Chamber Member of the Year, Service Organization of the Year, Outstanding Business Person of the Year, Outstanding Customer Service Award for an individual, Outstanding Customer Service Award for a business, Outstanding Business of the Year, Lifetime Business Achievement Award, Citizen of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

“They (businesses and individuals) are nominated by having someone fill out a nomination form and that person gives a brief description of why they nominated them,” said Rabold. “We post the forms on our chamber website and send it out in our newsletter; and we take it to lunches and events.”

Rabold said once all the forms are received, a committee goes through them and makes the final decision.

New Chamber Member of the Year Award is presented to a new chamber member providing innovative products or services, demonstrates a willingness to contribute to the community through community service, participation in local events, activities and charities.

Uinta Lanes and Lincoln Highway Tavern were this year’s nominees, with Lincoln Highway Tavern receiving the award.

The Service Organization of the Year Award is presented to an Evanston nonprofit that contributes to the community and clearly shows a willingness to go above and beyond the normal duties of the organization.

Evanston Small Business Network, Uinta Cancer Care Foundation, Bear River State Park, The Arts, Inc. and the Uinta County Veterans Board were nominated; and the award went to Uinta Cancer Care Foundation.

Outstanding Business Person of the Year is awarded a business person demonstrating excellence, creativity and initiative in their business of profession and someone who provides valuable services by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for everyone in Evanston.

Pam Fisher, Wanda Rogers, Travis Hogman, Walter Riebenack and Joy Bell were the 2017 nominees, with Travis Hogman winning the award.

Outstanding Customer Service Award for an individual is presented to a Chamber member in good standing, who exemplifies high standards, giving priority attention to every guest and/or customer.

Jennifer Richard (NGL Connection), Shasta Wiggington (The Arts, Inc.), Darlene Koyle (Best Western Dunmar Inn), Joy Bell (Compassionate Journey) and Sue Odom (Smiths) were all nominated, with the award going to Darlene Koyle.

The Outstanding Customer Service Award for a business is presented to a Chamber member in good standing, giving priority attention to every guest and/or customer served.

Smith’s Pharmacy, Lincoln Highway Tavern, Cycle City, Arrowhead Dental, Phantom Fireworks, Freeway Tire Company and Varsity Ink all received nominations, with the award presented to Cycle City.

Nominees for Business of the Year Award, not only provide services to the community, but promote the community and engage in and promote volunteer efforts.

This year’s nominees were NGL Connection, US Bank, Aspen Cinemas and Best Western Dunmar Inn, with Aspen Cinemas taking home the award.

The Lifetime Business Achievement Award is given to a business making extraordinary contributions to the community and touching the lives of the people with a selfless spirit of service; giving more to our community over the years.

Tib Ottley, Howard Woody, Home Décor, The Arts, Inc., City Of Evanston and Dave’s Meats were nominated for the award.

Serving the community of Evanston since 1986, the Lifetime Business Achievement Award was given to Home Décor. 

Citizen of the Year is presented by the City of Evanston in recognition of outstanding contributions to the community through the past year. 

“This person’s exemplary efforts should demonstrate creativity, vision, leadership and citizenship,” said Bassett. “Service should enhance the welfare of the overall population and not be focused in a singular event or activity.”

Nominees for Citizen of the Year were Jon Kirby, Tim Lynch, Lynn Leininger, Bill Cobban and Kent Williams.

Winning the Citizen of the Year Award for 2017 was Jon Kirby.

The last award presented during the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Banquet was the Volunteer of the Year Award.

This award is presented by the City of Evanston in recognition of a volunteer who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

The 2017 nominees for Volunteer of the Year were Jeanie Staley, Shasta Wiggington, Tim Sehorn, Robert Griffin, Lynn Leininger, Eric Pasenelli and Nicole Espy.

Lynn Leininger took home the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award.

“We want to congratulate all of the nominees and award winner,” said Bassett. “Your contribution to the community is outstanding.”