Area chambers honor businesses, organizations and residents

By TOM STANKARD

tstatankard@yourdaily globe.com

Bessemer - To honor area residents, organizations and businesses, the Bessemer and Ironwood chambers collaborated to host an year-end banquet at the Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars on Wednesday.

Kathy Whitburn, Bessemer Chamber of Commerce president, said both chambers are thrilled to be able to honor "really great individuals and groups."

For giving back to her community, Kathryn Re was honored as the Bessemer chamber's Volunteer of the Year. Donna Frello, of the Bessemer chamber, said Re has been a "selfless volunteer" who has volunteered hundreds of hours at the chamber's 49911 Trading Post.

Charles Supercynski was selected as Ironwood's Person of the Year by Michael Meyer, Ironwood chamber executive director. Meyer said Supercynski has long been associated with skiing on the Gogebic Range and authored the book "Soaring Eagles." Meyer said with Copper Peak as a site for world competition, his long-held dreams and long fought efforts have come into fruition.

"He (Supercynski) has has held the torch for the sport of skiing in the Upper Peninsula," he said.

Supercynski said he has spent a lot of time at Copper Peak. He said "this is my way of giving back to the community."

The Bessemer chamber selected the A.D. Johnston Key Club as the chamber's first ever Organization of the Year. Frello said the key club has spearheaded many projects within the community. She said the club has sponsored a can drive, hosted blood drives and organized coat drives for area children in need during the winter. Frello said the club has also helped out during Santa's Workshop and helped make blankets for a local domestic violence organization.

"Every time I called in need of volunteers, they've always been there," she said.

As Ironwood's Organization of the Year, the Ironwood chamber chose St. Vincent DePaul. Meyer said the organization is dedicated to great service and operates three community outreach programs, including the new 16,000 square-foot store, the food pantry and financial assistance office. Meyer said its 80 volunteers carry out the work of community service daily. He said every dollar spent at the store is spent in the community.

Mike Czerneski, store committee chairman, said thanks to the volunteers.

"It's a bunch of people working together to try to solve problems and give back," he said. "I hope everyone can catch on to that philosophy because it would make it a lot easier for everybody."

Floor Plans, owned by Dave Osier, won the Bessemer chamber's Business of the Year award. Frello said Osier opened his business in 2007. She said Floor Plans brings a talented team of employees to the community. Frello said Osier also has been a member of the chamber since it started the same year. Frello said Osier was instrumental in starting the chamber's business box lunch.

For the Ironwood Business of the Year, the chamber selected Aspirus Grand View Hospital. Meyer said the hospital has undertaken significant capital and human investment in Ironwood. This past year, he said Aspirus Grand View expanded the emergency room, and next year it will complete the $16.6 million addition to the hospital. In the future, Meyer said the business plans to expand its pre and post-op surgical care and its patient rooms. He said these enhancements speak to their commitment to the area.

Paula Chermside, Aspirus Grand View chief operating officer, said she works in the "friendliest community" and thanked everyone for their support.

Doug Kikkebusch won the Bessemer chamber's Rising Star award, which is a new award acknowledging a new business or community member who exemplifies a new positive presence in the community. Frello said Kikkebusch is an amazing addition to Bessemer and the community "love having him here." Frello said Kikkebusch's business, Kikkebusch Glassworks, is a studio, a gallery, a storefront and a place where we can gather.

Kikkebusch said he moved to the area five years ago and believes he "lives in paradise."

"Everyday, I walk outside and I'm amazed. It's too much to take (in)," he said. "Please stop by and have some fun and make something."

The last award given out for the evening was the Ironwood chamber's Gus Swanson award. Meyer said Swanson was a former Luther L. Wright industrial art teacher who was well known for his outreach to community organizations. Meyer said the award is given to an organization that best typifies the passion for education and community that was Swanson's life-long ideal.

The Ironwood chamber selected the Superior Range Shooter's Club as the recipient of this award. Meyer said the organization has played an active role in bringing firearms instruction and safety education to people of all ages. He said the education center building is almost complete, which will allow for year-round program space and events.