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Chamber honors local businessesCLAREMORE, Jan 30, 2013 (Claremore Daily Progress - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Area business owners and individuals were honored Saturday at the annual Claremore Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet and Gridiron performance. Several businesses were recognized for their community involvement. Special recognition was given to the Business Citizen of the Year, Jeri Koehler. The Chamber also honored the large business, Baker Hughes and the small business, Marble Elegance of the year. Several other awards were presented, however the overall message was teamwork. Kim Timbermen received the Connie Downs 2012 Abassador Award. Pam Stephens received the President's Award. Chamber Chairman Clarice Doyle spoke at length, encouraging the crowd of Chamber members to work together to build Claremore's future. "Just as the Chamber is a team effort, so is building a city," Doyle said. "Get involved to make this vision come together." Doyle congratulated winners and recognized business partners. "Let's get on board with what we can be," Doyle said. The Chamber recognized the city's new entrepreneur status, the RSU Innovation Center, and honored three successful new business owners. Three different entrepreneurs were recognized, as an industry business Mike Ward, owner of Adventure Signs, was honored. Sherri Mullen, retail business owner Tiny Cakes and Truffles, and David Clanin, service business owner of the Claremore Dance studio, were honored for their entrepreneur efforts. "We are about growth and success in our community," Doyle said. The three entrepreneurs are great examples of that, according to Doyle. Doyle spoke about the amount of time and effort that volunteers donate to make community events come together. Everything from chili festivals to parades, volunteers make the difference, according to Doyle. "I see how many people donate their time and talents to our community," Doyle said. Encourage others to volunteer, she added. Larry Rahmeier was recognized, for his work with the several parades that are sponsored by the Chamber each year. Special recognition was also presented to both Safenet Services for the opening of their new facility in 2012 and Dell Davis for her 10 years of service to the Chamber. After the awards were presented the Gridiron band performed their annual "roast" of county, city and other events published in the Claremore Daily Progress. The skit featured several headlines and perceived blunders of elected officials. ___ (c)2013 the Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Okla.) Visit the Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Okla.) at claremoreprogress.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |