VIENNA — About 25 people came to The Market restaurant last Friday for a fine meal and to attend the 2021 Vienna Chamber of Commerce (VCOC) Annual Awards Luncheon.

It was a very cold January day, but that didn’t keep chamber members from attending and celebrating the significant role established and new businesses and individuals have on the Vienna community.

Chamber President Lisa Garro welcomed those present, thanking them for coming. She said the chamber missed this event last year due to COVID-19 pandemic and this year they are trying to get back on track.

The first award given was the New Horizon Award, which recognizes businesses that have been in business in Vienna for five years or less. These newcomers have shown good service to the community. They figured out what the community needed and accommodated it. This award recognizes people for their motivation and inspiration to find their niche in the community and their ability to evolve and grow as their business develops and expands. The award recognizes their business accomplishments both with the services they provide and their personal dedication to the community by volunteering and donating. 

Chamber Secretary Kelly Barnhart said the nominees for the New Horizon Award are You’ve Got It Maid, owned by Kalee Shumaker, Struemph Lawn Care, owned by Dominic Struemph, and 63 Vintage Market and Antiques, owned by Denine Bremer. 

Garro said it was hard to pick the winner because they’ve all done a good job. Struemph Lawn Care was selected for the award. Garro said he does a lot for the community and was very helpful with this year’s Maries County Fair. 

The next award to be given was the Pioneer Award, which recognizes a Vienna business operating 10 years or more. Garro said the award honors business owners who care about the community and who put a lot back into it. Barnhart said they “pave the way” for other businesses. The award recognized noteworthy accomplishments, long-standing contributions to the community, ethical approach to business and significant community service efforts.

This year’s nominees are The Flower Basket, owned by Angie and Keith Thompson, Shirley’s Furniture and JR’s Hardware, owned by JR and Shirley Crum who have been in business for 46 years, and Vienna Quik Spot (VQS), owned by Jason and Brandy Kampeter. The VQS was the winner of the award. Garro said they do a lot for the community, the school, and the fair.

The Heart of Vienna was the third and final award presented at the event. Garro said this award honors an individual who shows dedication to the community with their hard work. The award is given to a person who has shown by their actions an exceptional devotion and love for the Vienna community. It’s a person who greets others on the street, shares time and talent, or by their financial contributions to the community. This person has a heart for the Vienna community and make it a better place to live and work.

This year’s nominees are Kent Love, Tyler “TC” James who is Vienna’s Mayor, and Brenda Davis who also serves Vienna citizens as a council member.

Garro said it was very difficult to decide who to give the award to. They chose the person who had received many nominations for the award and that was Kent Love. Garro said all three of these people do a lot for the community. 

Following the awards recognition portion of the program, Barnhart invited the chamber members and others to attend the Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the basement of the Vienna United Methodist Church. The chamber secured a Missouri Main Street Grant. At the meeting, they will break into groups and talk about what the members want to achieve, and what are the group’s goals. Barnhart said the biggest thing they all want is to help the community continue to prosper and thrive. She asked them to bring their ideas. Garro said, “Everything and anything is on the table.”

Barnhart said, “Whatever inspires you.”