By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
The theme for the Annual Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce dinner may of have been, “Bucyrus Steps Back in Time,” but the attitude of the night was firmly focused on the future.
The Youth Building of the Crawford County Fairgrounds was the venue, Carle’s provided the catering, and different businesses tried their hands at providing decorations for the tables to reflect the night’s theme.
In the review of the past year, there were signs pointing to a brighter future on the horizon. Fourteen businesses joined the Chamber during the last year, and 14 ribbon cuttings were held. Also unveiled were some new programs, like the Business Forecast Breakfast and the Celebration of Success, as well as the continuation of previously successful programs including the Annual Golf Outing and the Motivated Mornings Networking sessions.
The special guest speaker was Jennifer Poklar, the assistant chief of the Office of Redevelopment, Ohio Development Agency. Poklar is no stranger to Crawford County and the smaller community scene as she is a graduate of Buckeye Central High School. This message was central to her presentation. Stressing that these programs are not just for the three C’s (Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati), Poklar stated, “Crawford County, you really are important to the office of economic development.”
Poklar introduced a few members of her team and touched on a small number of the programs that her office provides. Poklar wanted her audience to focus on three phrases where her office excels: Innovative Financing, Critical Resources, and Redevelopment Expertise. Grants have been the magic word lately, but they seem to be getting fewer and farther between, but that is not a reason to abandon all hope. Poklar and her staff have at their disposal different avenues for promoting success, and she stated that when you call, you will always get to talk to one of the staff.
The night wrapped up with, as usual, the handing out of the annual awards. Winners were recognized in the following categories: Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Organization of the Year, Business of the Year, Corinne Boryczka Posthumous Citizen of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and the Table Decorating Awards.
All of the winners were certainly deserving, and more than a couple shed tears, but a particular moment of poignancy occurred when Harmon Guss received the Posthumous Citizen award. Guss’ family accepted the award on his behalf, including his granddaughter, born three weeks after his death.
The Citizen of the Year award went to Janet Pry, for her tireless work, among many other things, with the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation. Pry, who recently returned from a pan-European trip with her husband – which caused Pinion to quip, “I went to Shelby the other day…” – had her family with her as well to celebrate.
“I never would have guessed they would give something like this to me,” Pry said after her award.
Other award winners were Virginia Hammond, Volunteer of the Year; Together We Hurt Together We Heal, Organization of the Year; and Mizick-Miller, Business of the Year. On a lighter note, Mike Dostal accepted the Peoples Table Decorating award on behalf of Dostal-Kirk. They recreated beer labels using original designs from the Dostal Brewery, which existed in Bucyrus from 1902-1921, and had those labels on beer bottles as a decoration. To the chagrin of everyone involved, the bottles were empty.