Chamber honors businesses, individuals

MEIGS COUNTY — The Meigs County Chamber recently honored businesses and individuals for their contributions to the county during the annual Meigs Chamber Awards Gala.

Held at Kountry Resort Campground near Pomeroy, the gala included the presentation of seven awards, as well as a catered dinner.

Award recipients were as follows:

Entrepreneur of the Year — Larry and Candice Hess of River Roasters Coffee Co.

Economic Impact Award — Uplift Fitness, owner Chase Jenkins

Community Pillar Award — Perry Varnadoe, Meigs County Economic Development Director

Outstanding Meigs County Ambassador — Howard Mullen

Best First Impression Award — Bitanga’s Martial Arts Center, owner Ben Nease

Outstanding Meigs County Citizen — Toney Dingess, Director of the Meigs Marching Band

Lifetime Business Achievement — Farmers Bank and Savings Co., President and CEO Paul Reed

The 2019 Gala sponsors and participants included: Elite Community Partners — Farmers Bank, University of Rio Grande, Holzer Health Systems, Meigs Independent Press, New Era Broadband; Event Sponsors —Brandon Bartee of The Athens Real Estate Company, Uplift Fitness, The Daily Sentinel, Home National Bank, Kountry Resort Campground, Mark Porter, Ohio Valley Bank, OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, Swisher & Lohse Pharmacy; Dinner Sponsor — Meigs County CIC; Drink Sponsor — McDonald’s; Meat & Cheese Trays Sponsor — Powell’s Food Fair; Wine Sponsors — Clark’s Jewelry Store, Front Paige Outfitters, Riverside Auto & Towing; Beer Sponsor — Maple Lawn Brewery; Coffee Sponsor — Jittery Joes; Meal — Austin Cole Catering; Servers — Meigs County Historical Society; Music — Brent Patterson; Ornaments and Awards — Red Tail Design Co.; Event Photographer — Andrew Johnson.

The 2019 Meigs Chamber Award recipients are pictured following the presentation of the awards during the annual gala held at Kountry Resort Campground.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-1.jpgThe 2019 Meigs Chamber Award recipients are pictured following the presentation of the awards during the annual gala held at Kountry Resort Campground. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Farmers Bank was the recipient of the Lifetime Business Achievement Award, which was accepted by President and CEO Paul Reed. Reed is pictured with Farmers Bank staff who were in attendance at the gala.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-2.jpgFarmers Bank was the recipient of the Lifetime Business Achievement Award, which was accepted by President and CEO Paul Reed. Reed is pictured with Farmers Bank staff who were in attendance at the gala. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Ben Nease of Bitanga’s Martial Arts Center received the Best First Impression Award for the martial arts center. Nease is pictured with Chamber President Andy Campbell.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-3.jpgBen Nease of Bitanga’s Martial Arts Center received the Best First Impression Award for the martial arts center. Nease is pictured with Chamber President Andy Campbell. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Uplift Fitness received the Economic Impact Award. Pictured is owner Chase Jenkins receiving the award from Chamber President Andy Campbell.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-4.jpgUplift Fitness received the Economic Impact Award. Pictured is owner Chase Jenkins receiving the award from Chamber President Andy Campbell. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Entrepreneurs of the Year Larry and Candice Hess receive their award from Chamber President Andy Campbell.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-5.jpgEntrepreneurs of the Year Larry and Candice Hess receive their award from Chamber President Andy Campbell. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Toney Dingess receives the Outstanding Meigs County Citizen award from Chamber President Andy Campbell.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-6.jpgToney Dingess receives the Outstanding Meigs County Citizen award from Chamber President Andy Campbell. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Economic Development Director Perry Varnadoe receives the Community Pillar award from Chamber President Andy Campbell.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-7.jpgEconomic Development Director Perry Varnadoe receives the Community Pillar award from Chamber President Andy Campbell. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Howard Mullen, the recipient of the Outstanding Meigs County Ambassador award, speaks at the Meigs Chamber Gala.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-8.jpgHoward Mullen, the recipient of the Outstanding Meigs County Ambassador award, speaks at the Meigs Chamber Gala. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Brent Patterson provided music for the evening.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-9.jpgBrent Patterson provided music for the evening. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel

Howard Mullen receives the Outstanding Meigs County Ambassador award from Chamber President Andy Campbell.

https://www.mydailysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/11/web1_11.15-Chamber-10.jpgHoward Mullen receives the Outstanding Meigs County Ambassador award from Chamber President Andy Campbell. Sarah Hawley | Sentinel