By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Larned Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 75th
anniversary last Thursday with the Chamber Community Banquet at the Knights of
Columbus in Larned.
Along with a meal, a program and an awards ceremony were presented where awards
were given out for businesses of the year, volunteer of the year and leaders
of the year.
The Larned Fire Department was awarded the Non-Profit/Civic Organization of the
Year, an honor that Larned Fire Lieutenant Rachel Hill was grateful to receive.
"It was an honor for all of our volunteers to be recognized for the efforts they provide to serve our community," said Hill. "We never know when we'll be called out. It could be in the middle of the night, a holiday or family dinner. I think it's really great for all of our guys to be recognized for the time that they give."
With a volunteer staff, the Larned Fire Department currently has 18 members in
their department.
Other winners:
Large Business of the Year: Golden Belt Telephone
Small Business of the Year: Larned Veterinary Clinic
Volunteer of the Year: Janet Fleske
Emerging Leader of the Year: Landon Erway
Empowering Leaders of the Year: Buddy and Judi Tabler