Chamber awards businesses, organizations
New business and those that changed owners in 2017 were honored at the 2017 Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Luncheon last week. (Jeremy Weber photo)
The Columbia Falls Fire Department was honored at last week’s Chamber of Commerce Christmas Luncheon. Pirctured, left to right, are Mike Vanhaverbeke, Joe Smith, Ty Shanks, Jamey Green, Chief Rick Hagen and Chamber of Commerce Vice President Phil Carl. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Chief Clint Peters and the Columbia Falls Police Department were honored at the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Luncheon last week. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Columbia Falls business and community leaders were recognized at the Chamber’s annual Christmas luncheon last week.
Chamber President Mark Johnson did the honors.
“First Buck” awards were given to new businesses or businesses that have changed hands in the last year. Community Spirit awards were given out to people and organizations that gave done something phenomenal in the past year and there were a handful of special awards presented as well.
First Buck award winners included: Berube Physical Therapy, JIM, Yogo Hive, True North Chiropractic Center, Odd Fellows Coffee House, Over the Mountain Bike Shop, Vaqueros, Hellroaring Cross Fit, Masters Acupuncture, Falls Creek Cabin, Great Northern Logworks, Hoffenbacker’s Discount Floors and More, The Shops at Station 8, RGL Construction, Mountain View RV Park, Dr. Stephen Seheult, D.D.S., Last Best Storage, City Cleaners, Three Rivers Dental Center, Glacier Mountain Resort, Glacier Nutrition and Tanning and Cowboy Collectibles.
Community Spirit Awards were given to the Columbia Falls Fire Department for its service to the community.
“While other fire departments struggle to find volunteers, the Columbia Falls department is going strong. The department answered 296 calls in 2017, or the equivalent of being called out six days every week,” Johnson said. “These volunteers give generously of their time, leaving the dinner table, the field or court or getting out of bed at 2 a.m. to answer the alarm. We are blessed to have such an outstanding department.”
Police Chief Clint Peters and Columbia Falls School District 6 were recognized for their handling of the cyber-terrorist threat earlier this year.
“We were blessed to have the people in charge that we do. They handled the situation with professionalism and a calming effect that would be hard to find anywhere. Typically, we do not recognize government authorities, but I feel this year is special. They showed the community spirit that Columbia Falls has,” Johnson said.
Berube Physical Therapy was recognized for taking over the 3-on-3 basketball tournament and Glacier Raft Company, Great Northern Resorts and retiring city Judge Tina Gordon were also recognized.
Special awards for service to the Chamber of Commerce were presented to Stacy Schenebel, Paul McKenzie, Jim Oliverson and Mark Johnson.