Anderson Chamber honors five civic leaders

HONOREES:
Award winners at the Anderson Chamber’s 32nd annual awards dinner Saturday were, from left, Distinguished Service winner Keith Webster, Customer Service winner Jason Blake of Sign-A-Rama, Grace Bell Memorial co-winners Carole Bartels and Janet Applegarth-Yarbrough. Linda Worrall accepted Business of the Year on behalf of Anderson Florist and Gifts.

Anderson Chamber of Commerce held its 32nd annual awards dinner Saturday at the Win-River Casino Events Center to honor leaders in business and community volunteerism. The event attracted 237 people this year, far more than the 168 attendees at 2008's dinner.

"And we're so grateful for that considering how bad the economy is," Anderson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Irish Robertson.

Business of the Year was awarded to Anderson Florist & Gifts. This award honors the business that provides exceptional service to the community it serves, said Anderson Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Del Monte.

"The whole staff goes out of their way to do everything right," Robertson said of store owner Connie Blanc and her staff. Due to a scheduling conflict, Blanc was unable to attend the Chamber awards banquet, Del Monte noted.

Distinguished Service Award was earned by Keith Webster.

He has been dubbed "Mr. Anderson" for his regular attendance at community functions, volunteerism and "pro-Anderson" personality, according to Del Monte.

"It's a title that comes with respect," Les Baugh said to Webster, "No one here doubts that you eat, sleep and breathe Anderson."

In a rare tie vote, Janet Applegarth-Yarbrough and Carole Bartels were each awarded the Grace Bell Memorial award, handed out each year to the woman who has been active within the business community for at least five years and who has helped the community at large, Robertson said.

"Grace was well-named because she was graceful and social and a phenomenal business woman," Robertson added.

Applegarth-Yarbrough was lauded by Les Baugh for sharing the quality of "jumping in" to help during community functions, much as Grace Bell had.

Baugh also cheered Bartels for being a person who "cares about the community and loves what they do."

The Customer Service award was presented to Jason Blake of Sign-A-Rama. The award was made to "recognize someone who people rave about for customer service," Robertson said.

Baugh congratulated Blake as a "great representative of the company he works for."

Profit from the awards dinner will be used by the business advocacy organization to provide the community with training seminars and for other chamber activity expenses, Robertson said.