~ PVN staff report
STANLEY, June 8 — More than a hundred attendees came out to Brenwood last Thursday night for the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce’s 97th annual banquet and awards. Palm trees were the featured image on most shirts around the room, as seashells sat on tables and drinks were served with small umbrellas to bring the Hawaiian Luau theme to life.
A total of 20 prize packages provided by nearly 50 local businesses were given away as part of the night’s silent auction with gifts valued at nearly $11,000. The individual packages — ranging from $200 to $800 each in value — included such items as a full vacation package to see Kennedy Space Center, multiple coupons for local eateries and lodging, a home improvement package, and free advertising for local businesses.
The event marked the 97th annual banquet and awards ceremony for an organization that dates back to May 17, 1926, when the Luray Chamber of Commerce was formed out of the Luray Board of Trade.
“President J.R. Mims hosted the first meeting in the inn, and the first order of business was to produce a float to represent the new organization in Winchester’s Apple Blossom Festival. The main concerns of the year were to make improvements in the telephone service, roads, bridges near Luray, publicity for the area, a post office for Luray, education and condition of the schools, new business for the area, and to install lights for the town that would be on all night.” (Taken from the night’s program.)
The big event of the night is to honor local businesses and a volunteer nominated for the Chamber’s annual awards. Below is each award winner and the presentation given for each award.
Eco-Friendly Business of the Year
Valley Star Farm (Representative – Dave Thompson)
Our Eco-Friendly Business of the Year award is going to a business that has been bringing Holiday Cheer to Luray-Page County for the past 32 years.
This year’s winner is a staple in the community. Understanding how important it is to take care of the land, this business works year round to make sure that our community not only has a reputable business, but helps to keep the natural environment healthy, as well.
In the spring, they start planting trees for their Holiday season, grow pumpkins for the fall, and maintain their land throughout the rest of the year. They promote healthy environments at the same time as having fun and making memories with your family. Agri-tourism businesses like this year’s winner are invaluable when it comes to keeping Page County healthy and beautiful.
This year, we’re excited to present the award for Eco-Friendly Business of the Year to Valley Star Farm.
Hospitality Business of the Year
Virginia Gift Shop (Representative – Barbie Stombock)
For our Hospitality Business of the Year, we’re recognizing a business that has been part of the Page County Business Community for the past 75 years.
This business offers locals and visitors a place to find all sorts of items. As the business has grown over the years, their inventory has changed to meet the clientele they service.
When visiting this year’s winner, you’ll find clothing, kids items, novelty items, collectables, specialty chocolates and more. You can even take advantage of their registry services for weddings. With their expanding collection of merchandise and services for their patrons to enjoy, they have been able to grow and thrive through even the toughest of years.
Aside from all their do for their patrons, they also support many local events and organizations. They’re always quick to offer gift cards for raffles and silent auctions and have been able to build lasting business relationships throughout the Page County Business Community.
It’s our honor to award the Hospitality Business of the Year to Virginia Gift Shop.
Service Business of the Year
Luray Downtown Initiative (Representative – Jackie Wood)
This years’ Service Business of the Year is going to an organization that works to bring businesses into and revitalize our community. This business got its start in 2004 to lead the downtown revitalization efforts in downtown Luray, as well as helping Luray become a designated Virginia Main Street community.
The goal of this year’s winner is to create a prosperous downtown that welcomes residents, entrepreneurs, and visitors to engage in a thriving Main Street community full of unique shops and restaurants, live entertainment, thriving businesses, natural beauty and inspiring history.
The current director, Jackie Wood, works closely with her board, the Town of Luray, and the businesses downtown to give new and existing businesses every chance to succeed. Jackie helps plan events in partnership with the town, organizations like Page Alliance for Community Action, and the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce to give the people in Luray-Page County fun and safe activities throughout the year, as well. On any given day, you’ll find Jackie walking through downtown, where she meets with business owners, making sure their needs are heard and met to the best of the organization’s ability.
This year, we’re excited to award the Service Business of the Year award to Luray Downtown Initiative.
Volunteer of the Year
Gladys McNemar, Hawksbill Greenway Foundation
Volunteers are the heart and soul of any community, and Luray is fortunate to have an abundance of dedicated individuals who tirelessly give their time, energy, and resources to uplift those around them. Their acts of dedication, resourcefulness, and generosity serve to inspire us all.
Let us all take a moment to express our gratitude and admiration for all the volunteers who selflessly give so much towards building a stronger, safer, healthier, and more beautiful community.
The 2023 Volunteer of the Year is someone who has an extraordinarily valuable skill set, great enthusiasm, and authentic belief that community service creates the kind of change we all want to see in the world. Beyond the countless hours they have dedicated to fundraising and grant writing, our Volunteer of the Year has been a driving force in building successful partnerships and collaborations.
This volunteer is a gifted communicator who draws out the best in people and helps them to see it too. They are tactful and patient, yet have firm boundaries that are necessary in getting things done. They are tireless in their determination to see projects not only completed, but done with the highest degree of excellence. No undertaking is too big or too small for this volunteer to manage — from the smallest task to the broadest big-picture overview, this person has the rare balance of humility and self-confidence that make people great leaders.
Over the last two years in her role as secretary of the Hawksbill Greenway Foundation, Gladys McNemar has quietly accomplished a remarkable amount of work. This recognition could not go to a more worthy recipient. Please join me in acknowledging and celebrating Gladys and all her many contributions to our community.
To learn more about upcoming events sponsored
by the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce,
visit their website at https://www.visitluraypage.com/
or visit their Facebook page
at https://www.facebook.com/luraypagecountychamber/
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