Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 100th Anniversary at 5th Annual Awards Dinner

MOUNT HOREB, Wi., [March 6, 2023] – One hundred attendees gathered at Martinson Hall on Thursday, March 2, for the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce’s 5th Annual Awards Dinner. Guests enjoyed live music by Corey Mathew Hart, chamber member and owner of local guitar shop, Hart House Guitars. They also enjoyed dinner and dessert, including a 100th birthday cake and cupcakes, from member business Hi Point Steakhouse.
 
The chamber board president, Kara Brandemuehl, welcomed guests and recognized board members, ambassadors, staff, as well as past and present committee members for their service. To mark this impressive milestone, the chamber’s executive director, Rachel LaCasse-Ford, provided the keynote address, detailing the history of the chamber, its contributions to the community through the decades, as well as a look at the chamber’s work over the last year, key objectives and goals from the board’s strategic plan, and how members can get involved to help move the chamber forward. 
 
Board secretary Katie Olday introduced the presenters for the awards: Peter Walton (2020 recipient) and his wife Ellen Walton presented the George Sievers Award to Amy Mertz. This award honors volunteers who give of their time and talents to improve our community, named after the late George Sievers. Rebecca Turner, board member for the Mount Horeb Veteran’s Memorial Association (2022 recipient) presented the Non-Profit of the Year Award to the Driftless Historium in recognition for the important services they provide to researchers, community members, local businesses, schools, and the local economy. Executive Director Destinee Udelhoven accepted the award. And finally, Lindsey Yoder, co-owner of Sign Art Studio (2022 recipient) presented the Business of the Year Award to Helwig Auto Clinic in recognition of their dedication to their customers, their employees and their community. Owner Steve Helwig accepted the award.
 
Attendees bid on items in the silent auction and participated in a wine pull activity, sponsored by member business Botham Vineyards & Winery. Members generously donated items to the silent auction and bottles of wine to the wine pull, allowing the chamber to take in nearly $1,000 to reinvest in their mission. The chamber is grateful to the following donors: The Yoga Space, Cave of the Mounds, Jada’s Garden, Gerber Leisure Products, McFee on Main, Mark It, Board & Brush Mount Horeb, Spellerific, WiscoBoxes, Annika Frame Photography, Anytime Fitness Mount Horeb, Premier Cooperative, Lekko Beauty, MHTC, Martinson Hall, Optimist Club, Badger Bros. Coffee, Hi Point Steakhouse, and Botham Vineyards & Winery.
 
Board past-president Jay Goninen ended the night and thanked guests for attending, stating that the chamber looks forward to serving their members for another 100 years and beyond.
 
The Chamber wishes to thank our Trustee Members, who make events like this possible: Farmers Savings Bank, Miller & Son’s Supermarket, Upland Hills Health, Lake Ridge Bank, ATC, Village of Mount Horeb, MHTC, Tyrol Basin, and JG Development.
 
Pictures from the event can be found at mounthorebchamber.com/annual-awards-dinner.
 
About the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce
 
The Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1923 in Mount Horeb, WI. The mission of the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic well-being of all member businesses as well as to enhance the image of Mount Horeb as a great place to live, work and visit. For more information, visit the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce at www.mounthorebchamber.com.