Local businesses, individuals receive C-Falls Chamber awards

Hungry Horse News

Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce awarded community businesses and individuals at its holiday luncheon last week.

First Buck Awards celebrate businesses that joined the chamber this year. Recipients are Stageline Pizza, Glacier Travel Inn, Northern Lights Saloon, Red Bridge Bike Repair, Mountain Meadow RV and Campground, Glacier Highline, First National Pawn, Lary’s Fly Shop, Hanson’s Hardware, Chateau Décor and Design Expressions Inc.

Recipients of the Community Pride Awards are Pete Darling, caretaker of Woodland Cemetery and wooden rocking horse builder; Ray Negron, retiring Chamber board member;  Jim Thompson, retiring Chamber board member; Mick Ruis for supporting Melby’s Home Interiors after the fire; Freedom Bank for its Gateway Pride Project; O’Brien Byrd for building improvements and the success of the Community Market; North Valley Professional Center for its vision and dedication to community health; Glacier Bank for supporting Melby’s after the fire. 

The Chamber gave a community pride award with special recognition to Peggy Newman for her dedication to the Nights of Lights celebration for 30 years and the Coming Alive Committee, and the flower garden east of Hungry Horse News.

The Chamber also gave a special thank you to Plum Creek and Don Gimbel for moving the Columbia Falls welcome sign to its current position at Meadow Lake Boulevard and U.S. Highway 2.