Chamber of Commerce Banquet pays tribute to outstanding business and individuals

Amidst the nostalgia and general feeling of homecoming, the Chamber of Commerce Banquet held June 30, 2011 named Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, new officers and new board members.

Following a social hour sponsored by First State Community Bank and an invocation by Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder, a banquet catered by the Daily Bread of Malden fed the attendees. Each table setting was decorated with photographic placemats of the town's history and an information sheet of town trivia.

 

A slide show displaying pictures of the 133 year history of the city of Malden was projected onto a stage screen large enough for all the audience to view. Turn of the century photographs of church congregations, downtown businesses, and school children acquainted the witnesses of time long ago, while pictures of the fifties, sixties, and seventies presented a few familiar faces and places.

 

Following the slide show, Mayor Santie donned the hat of game show host and the audience enjoyed a competitive quiz game of Malden history. Such questions as what is the shortest street in Malden?, what year was the Statue of Liberty miniature installed?, what town was Malden named after? and what street is named after a famous pirate? were just a few of the questions asked.

 

Retiring president, Denton Kooyman served as master of ceremonies introducing guests and incoming president, Leah Rose.

Acting Director, Brenda Williams gave the Chamber Statement of Condition. She reported there are currently 130 Chamber members and one honorary member, Miss Malden Sarah Bukich. Throughout the year, sixteen new members joined the Chamber. The three joining in the month of June were Missouri Southern Health Care, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Enterprise Heating and Cooling.

 

The award for Chamber Business of the Year was given to Powell Supply owned and operated by Jerry Smith.

In honor of her volunteerism and spirit of service, Suzie Hayes, President of the Malden Lions Club awarded Gina Santie the honor of Lions Club Citizen of the Year.

Brenda Blume was named Vice President of teh Chamber and Denton Kooyman was named secretary/treasurer. Kim Holsten of First National Bank and Courtney Luke of the Delta News Citizen were named new members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Scott McMillian, Brenda Blume, Ron Huber, Cameron Parker, James Ealey, and Davis Hartle currently serve on the board with Steve Lacy retiring.

Special recognition was given to the Malden Alumni Association for their hard work and devotion which they generously donate to the betterment of the community. The Association has been focussing much of their recent attention on the landscaping of the Malden Community Center.

The City of Malden was incorporated by decree of the Dunklin County Court on April 22, 1878. A petition presented by the twenty seven citizens of the community was granted.

According to their mission statement, the Malden Chamber of Commerce is an organization of businesses and community members who by working together promote the commercial, industrial, and civic interests of the community.

 

The Chamber of Commerce Banquet is held annually and is open to any wishing to attend.