Service and drive earn recognition at Chamber Gala

    Celebrating all that Holyoke’s businesses do to make the community great, the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 24th annual gala and community excellence awards Monday, Feb. 6, at the Phillips County Event Center.
    Dedication, drive, community service and compassion were highlighted in this year’s recipients. Those recognized include Holyoke Fitness Club, LLC, Business of the Year; Josh Skelton of Dickinson Land Surveyors, LLC, Employee of the Year; Morgan Philips, Youth of the Year; Adria Colver and Aly Brinkema, Citizens of the Year; Holyoke Lions Club, Citizens of the Years; and Melissa Memorial Hospital, STAR of the Year.
    Joe Hall and Rachel Thompson provided the evening’s entertainment with elegant duets on violin and guitar.
   
Business of the Year — Holyoke Fitness Club, LLC
    Holyoke Fitness Club, LLC, owned by Trisha Herman, was recognized as Business of the Year for its positive contributions to the city of Holyoke. The establishment of this business helped fill a big gap in recreation, and, according to the nomination letters, it contributes to the overall health of the town along with the health of actual individuals.
    “She (Herman) is working so hard to bring health to the community.”
    “The focus of better health and fitness is evident by the number of continuous members. The classes offered are taught by trained and knowledgeable instructors and include all ages and types of classes — from dance to spinning to cross-training and more.”
    “The Holyoke Fitness Club has also been active and visible in the community by sponsoring activities like the 5K during Dandelion Daze and the Turkey Trot at Thanksgiving.”
    “This business supports fitness for all, not just its own activities.”
    Herman, who joked that her husband calls it her “expensive side hobby,” graciously recognized her staff as she accepted the award, saying that she loves the chance to give back to the community.
    
Employee of the Year — Josh Skelton
    Skelton’s nomination letter for Employee of the Year described him as a truly valuable asset to Nebraska’s Dickinson Land Surveyors, LLC. An employee since 2006 and manager of the company’s second office since 2013, Skelton is Holyoke’s resident surveyor, self-sufficient and holding a great deal of responsibility.
    “He is honest, dependable and incredibly hard-working,” reads his nomination letter. “Beyond that, he is an impressive problem-solver who is always able to address complex issues with strategy and confidence. Josh is inspired by challenges and never intimidated by them.”
    With such skill, self-initiative and dependability, it is no wonder that Skelton has earned such an honor.
    
Youth of the Year — Morgan Philips
    Philips, a senior at Holyoke JR/SR High School, earned Youth of the Year, recognized for her initiative, drive and well-rounded interests.
    Her recommendation letter noted her academic dedication to leap ahead of her classmates beginning in middle school, building the groundwork to graduate this coming May with a large portion of her college career already complete.
    The letter goes on to explain that this is not a complete picture of Philips, however.
    “Finding an individual Morgan’s age who is willing to step out of a perceived comfort zone is a rarity for our younger generations,” the letter reads, citing examples such as Philips’ participation in wrestling and holding a district office in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. “Morgan will see such an opportunity and snatch it before others her age even consider it.”
    Her participation and leadership in academics, various extracurricular activities and many volunteer opportunities earned Philips this honor of 2017 Youth of the Year.
    
Citizens of the Year — Adria Colver and Aly Brinkema
    “It is such an honor to be awarded for something that you love,” said Colver upon receiving Citizen of the Year alongside her daughter and co-swim coach Aly Brinkema.
    The two were recognized for their passion and compassion as swim coaches, dedicated to the sport as well as to each individual athlete they come into contact with. “Not content to just direct the kids she teaches, Aly walks the walk and is well-known for doing any workout she expects to be done by her charges,” reads Brinkema’s nomination letter.
    Colver’s letter reads, “She always has an encouraging word and speaks to each child individually to tell them something they did well.”
    The duo was described as “blessings” and coaches looked up to by the swimmers of northeastern Colorado, earning them the well-deserved recognition of Citizens of the Year.
    
Citizens of the Years — Holyoke Lions Club
    “The Holyoke Lions Club members don’t just prowl around in their Lions’ Den — they are your neighbors and friends who have quietly donated countless hours of volunteer service to this community for the last 75 years,” reads the letter nominating the Holyoke Lions Club as Citizens of the Years.
    The club’s 33 members celebrate the organization’s 75th year in Holyoke this year, with some members having served for 50 years.
    Some of their many, many contributions to the community over the years include raising and lowering 75 American flags around Holyoke, providing classic “ballfield burgers” with a smile, sponsoring college scholarships, maintaining the fishing pond and more.
    “They give our youth, families and older citizens some  healthy and safe alternatives — and would be sadly missed if they were not here with us,” reads the nomination letter, rightly explaining the need to recognize Holyoke Lions Club as the Citizens of the Years.
    
STAR of the Year — Melissa Memorial Hospital
    This year’s STAR of the Year, a surprise award not revealed until the night of the Chamber Gala, went to an organization that has proven itself a great supporter of the community — Melissa Memorial Hospital.
    Donating to various community causes and being instrumental in helping fulfill needs such as the day care initiative and Spanish language health services helped MMH earn the award. Before revealing the recipient, Chamber board member Hillary Heier listed several examples of how the hospital has recognized needs and given back to the community over the past year.
    “MMH has changed its outlook on community service with the new leadership change,” said Heier, listing areas donated to throughout the community, including the purchase of a new wrestling mat, the Fair Pavilion project, Peerless CineMagic, Rural Philanthropy Days and others.
    Upon receiving the award, MMH CEO Trampas Hutches said, “It’s important that we succeed not just as a business, but as a community. We want to not only survive, but thrive.”
    The hospital’s great support of the city of Holyoke and willingness to help fulfill most any community need earned its recognition as 2017 STAR of the Year.