Community Pillars

Ninety local residents filled available tables to a chair Monday evening in the Phillips County Event Center, where Holly Ferguson presided over her final gala as executive director for the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.

She opened up the chamber’s 31st Annual Gala & Community Excellence Awards by expressing appreciation for the event sponsors, including Seabord Foods, who funded creation of the awards. She also mentioned her board members, who she said are “always there, doing set-up, tear-down, besides all the behind-the-scenes stuff.” Ferguson is set to take a place on this board soon.

“They’ve also been an amazing group to work with,” she said, “and like a family to me.”

Also of note, she continued, were the board members’ spouses, who get “roped into” helping with the projects.

Her successor, Jessica Allen Ayala, stood at her side during the proceedings. Allen Ayala began training on Jan. 6 and likely will serve as announcer at the 32nd Annual Gala.

Each award winner at this event is nominated via letter to the chamber of commerce. Upon receipt, the chamber considered each nomination, before making a decision.

Youth of the Year – 

Kyrah McConachie

First on stage, representatives awarded Holyoke High School senior Kyrah McConachie as Youth of the Year for, in the words of her nomination letter, “ a strong dedication to her work” and for being “an excellent employee at a very young age.”

The letter states McConachie has mastered customer service and maintains an admirable work ethic. She “is always busy,” it continues, “and will do any task presented to her, big or small.”

Employee of the Year – 

Jessie Stewart

Jessie Stewart, 4-H agent for Colorado State University Extension, gained Employee of the Year for her guidance and support of families both inside and outside business hours. The letter cites her “substantial” knowledge, especially in regards to soil, made her the “perfect guest teacher” to show the writer’s homeschool cooperative a hands-on science experiment in soil erosion.

Because of Stewart, the letter states, more children have realized there is more to 4-H than simply showing livestock. Those without animals or who want to work on general projects, it continues, are “welcomed with open arms by an agent who is happy to foster whatever interest each child may possess.”

“My children have been party to many activities put on by Jessie through the extension office,” the letter states, “and have documented many great memories from fruit pizzas in the park, to gingerbread house creations, to making name signs at Cloverbud Camp and handmade ornaments to create at home over Christmas break.”

As the “unsung hero” of the Phillips County Fair, according the letter, she kept “the show going with minimal hiccups.” She also is known to have handled adversity in a job where one may encounter difficult situations.

“This position isn’t easy and isn’t for the faint of heart, as emotions can be high in the 4-H world,” the letter states, “but I can’t think of anyone else better cut out for the job than Jessie Stewart.”

Stewart is set to get married this year and the writer wants her to know “how much her community adores her and thinks the world of our 4-H agent.”

“We don’t know what we’d do without her most days!” the letter states.

New Business of the Year – Thompson’s Grill & Market

For New Business of the Year, a letter writer honored the winner for 2022 – Thompson’s Grill & Market – for being “a wonderful and refreshing addition to our restaurant choices in Holyoke!”

“Jackie [Thompson] and her family did a great job of remodeling and transforming the Skillet Restaurant into a new, fresh dining option and marketplace,” the letter states. “I love that some of the old favorites came back, but with an updated twist. The amazing fresh-cut meat options, take-and-bake meals, grab-and-go lunches, and specialty orders including homemade cabbage pockets and long johns are such a delight!”

The writer further expressed appreciation for the restaurant’s new décor, with the feel of a “chic country market, but with a cozy dine-in option.”

Through the Grill & Market, the writer states, the tradition paved by the Skillet Restaurant lives on.

Business of the Year – 

Creative Traditions

Creative Traditions, 2022’s Business of the Year, “needs to be recognized” for its community oriented work, according to a letter writer. The writer states business owner Julie Haake has accomodated the needs of Holyoke citizens by making everything from “quilts for infants to wheelchair bags.” Haake, the letter continues, also helps people with their personal projects.

“In my opinion,” the letter states, “Creative Traditions has been an asset to our community, a place where people can gather to share their projects, and give and get encouragement.”

Citizen of the Year – 

Fr. Jerry Rohr

A letter of recommendation referred to Holyoke’s Citizen of the Year, Fr. Jerry Rohr, as the city’s “Man About Town,” known for having a hand in events across the city. “Community members have commented that if there is a need,” the letter states, “Fr. Jerry will find a way to answer it.”

He serves popcorn at the Peerless Theatre. He “jiv[es] along with musicians at Arts Council concerts.” He participates in LIFT at First Christian Church and – if the Caring Pregnancy Center was quoted accurately – may donate more baby diapers to the organization than any other man in Holyoke.

He delivers candy donations for Melissa Memorial Hospital’s Trunk or Treat event. He encourages blood donations at First Baptist Church, and diabetes fundraisers and the National Day of Prayer at Holyoke Colorado Lions Club.

“He personally solicited so many pies for the county fair food booth that some bakers were told, ‘Enough, enough!’” the letter states. “We suspect that he wanted to make sure there were enough pies for everyone, himself included.”

Rohr currently serves as parish priest for St Patrick Catholic Church in Holyoke, Christ the King in Haxtun and Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Fleming.

“In addition to ministering to his flocks,” the letter states, “Father shows respect for other faiths and welcomes everyone to services, especially funerals.”

During Rohr’s six years in Holyoke, the letter states, “he has engrained himself to the rural way of life and endeared himself to area residents.”

Citizen of the Years – 

Peggy Davis

Holyoke’s Citizen of the Years, Peggy Davis, has a “funny and deeply caring demeanor” that “is a breath of fresh air whenever she is in your presence,” according to her letter of recommendation.

She moved to Holyoke 60 years ago, married Wilbur three years later – now with two daughters and two grandchildren – and served the community as a nurse for 40 years.

As a nurse, she worked in the local nursing home and hospital. At one point, she worked as a surgical nurse.

“Even now, although retired, she still serves those in need,” the letter states. “Peggy’s volunteer service to the community has been expansive as well through the Phillips County Museum, the [Heginbotham] Library... the Girl Scouts, her church and as a member of the Jolly Dozen club just to name a few.”

For those in her care, the letter states, “Peggy is a true blessing. Thank you for your service to Holyoke for so many years!”

STAR Award – 

Happy Jacks Barbeque

Those at the awards ceremony ate a helping of chicken or steak catered by Happy Jacks Barbeque, who also happened to earn the chamber’s personally chosen STAR Award. “People come from places far and wide to enjoy Happy Jacks Barbeque,” its letter of recommendation states, “as this restaurant has truly made a name for itself outside of just Holyoke.”

“Happy Jacks Barbeque is not just a business, but a lifeline to this community,” the letter continues. “As amazing as the food, even more special are the owners. Allyn and Sheila [Robinson] go above and beyond to not only be an irreplacable part of the business community, but also to be kind, exceptional people in general.”

The letter cites the Robinson family’s generousity in sponsorships and community service, as well as aid to chamber projects. Allyn often lends a helping hand, the letter states, “or a box of deli wrap papers.”

Happy Jacks is set to cater once again on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Melissa Memorial Hospital’s Legacy Event.

Sponsors for the gala, in addition to Seaboard Foods, include Gold Sponsors Bank of Colorado, Central Plains Equipment, Mike Neill, State Farm Insurance Agency, Happy Jacks Barbeque, Melissa Memorial Hospital, Holyoke Community Federal Credit Union, First Pioneer National Bank, and Cobblestone Inn & Suites. Silver sponsors include Bauke Funeral Home, Holyoke Fitness Club and Brewed Awakening.

Red’s Liquor provided the wine station. As stated earlier, Happy Jacks provided the catering.

For more information on the chamber of commerce, visit www.holyokechamber.org.