By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
(See additional photos at the end of the article.)
Several citizens and business owners walked away with awards for their faithful service and love for the community during the Piedmont Chamber of Commerce banquet last Saturday night.
Gary Layton presented the Hall of Fame Award to long-time business owner and Piedmont resident Randy Nance. Nance owns Nance Precast Concrete Products.
“Hes been a long time resident since 1972 and graduated from Piedmont High School,” Layton said. “He also served on the (Piedmont) Board of Education for five years. Strong family, strong ties to Piedmont, just a well thought of family.”
The award is not sponsored directly by the chamber, but is a committee of past recipients who meet to determine a winner. The award is not given every year since the committee must vote unanimously on the recipient.
Cleve Wheeler, known for his volunteer work for Piedmont’s two parades received the Volunteer of the Year award.
“He is a man who has done a lot behind the scenes,” Chamber Director Jennifer Ochoa said.
“The biggest thing people see him be part of is the parades for the last 20 years. He’s been the parade master for both the Founder’s Day and Freedom Fest. He lines them up, tells then where to go and takes care of all that. After 20 years, he said it’s time to step back.”
Julie McNeil received the Most Dedicated Member award and the Business of the Year award went to Chester’s Party Barn and Farm, which is owned by Robin Hocker.
“This year he (Robin Hocker) did a huge fundraiser for the Piedmont Fire Department and we recognized him for that,” Ochoa said. “They started the biweekly farmer’s market out there. They had 30,000 people visit their pumpkin patch.”
Ochoa described Hocker as a volunteer with a pure motive.
“He’s one of those guys that never tries to pull attention to himself,” Ochoa said. “He just always says yes and how can we help you. He is one of those guys, whatever I ask of him, he always says yes. He teams up with City of Piedmont for Freedom Fest and works with them on that as well,” Ochoa said.
Piedmont Chamber President Darren Owens bestowed the President’s Award to Buel Hoar.
Hoar is a former city councilman, and Piedmont Board of Education member. He volunteers for the Piedmont Area Veteran’s Association (PAVA) and assists the Sparky’s Donation Station which Ochoa said provided 70 children with Christmas gifts last year.
Piedmont Public Library took home the Community Service Award. The library has become a hub for the community to enjoy a wide variety of classes and events for children and adults. Last year it hosted at least 20 events for everything from after school tutoring to sewing lessons and horticulture.
PAVA’s contributions to the community were also noted Saturday night. The organization received the Pride of Piedmont Award.
“We did the PAVA because they not only built that event center, but their current facility is open to the public for people to put their military service memorabilia to be displayed and shared. That PAVA center that will be open for banquets, family reunions and anything the community needs it for. The first Thursday of every month they host a veteran benefit specialist, and they’ve teamed up the Quilts of Valor to give quilts to veterans. They also help with Sparky’s donation center They help with the Duck Week pancake feed,” Ochoa said. “It’s a group of guys who say, ‘what does the community need’ and they’re going about getting it done.”
Ochoa summed up the goal of the banquet as a way to show its appreciation for those who give back to their community.
“I think the chamber banquet is a great way for us to say thank you for all that the volunteers do and to help them be recognized that they do behind the scenes that people don’t often know about,” she said. “ It’s our way to say thank you and to appreciate what they do.”
