Press Release: White Lake Area Chamber Award Winners Announced

The White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the recipients of the Legacy Award; “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award, Lady Laker Award, and the El Award. These distinguished honors were announced at the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s sold-out Annual Dinner on Monday, October 21st, 2024 at The Sundance Saloon & Grill restaurant, located at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury.

Double JJ Resort was the generous Premier Sponsor. Aludyne, CatchMark Technologies, HarborLight Credit Union, and WinBerg Construction were the gold sponsors, silver award sponsors mentioned with each award below, and Wilde Jessie Consulting and Lighthouse Title Agency as bronze sponsors.

The Legacy Award

The Legacy Award recognizes a person or business demonstrating 10 or more years of contributions to the betterment and quality of life in the White Lake Area with a track record of business health and growth, community involvement, and a collaborative spirit. The award is nominated by Chamber members and staff and sponsored by White Lake Storage.

This year’s award went to Scheid Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Now in their third generation of doing business, this family-owned business continues to provide friendly service to a multitude of residents, schools, businesses, and municipalities. Their commitment to family-friendly service and a strong sense of community has made them a trusted name, not only in the White Lake Area, but surrounding counties as well.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes a new or existing business whose extraordinary vision and efforts have helped to enhance the local economy. Nominations and voting are determined and selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors and sponsored by Fetch Brewing Company.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to The Gnarly Heifer restaurant owner, Kara Smith. The Gnarly Heifer opened in 2022 and has become not only a favorite for locals, but a destination for visitors as well. Surrounding the Board’s decision was a discussion around her and her team feeding first responders for free during the big storm in June, their business expanding to the point of including catering, the decisions they make being community-minded, and their love and support of other local businesses as well, helping to add to our local economy by encouraging others to shop, dine, support, and experience local. Congratulations to Kara and The Gnarly Heifer!

The Lady Laker Award

The Lady Laker Award recognizes an individual within the community who has served in an exceptional manner, especially in mentoring and assisting future leaders in the White Lake Area. Nominations are submitted to a committee of past recipients and then voted upon. Don Rypma of Rypma Chevrolet GMC is the sponsor for this award. 

Congratulations goes to Dee Briegel, former pharmacist at Pitkin Drug. Dee has been a full-time pharmacist at Pitkin Drug for 37 years. She shares the passion of her family business in helping customers with one of the most important aspects of their life—their health. Numerous times, Dee has informed and educated customers about the medication and symptoms they are experiencing. She is always willing to take the time as she sees the value in her responsibility as a pharmacist and be assured your best interest is her priority. Congratulations to Dee Briegel!

The El Award

The El Award recognizes an outstanding local person and is in memory of the late Eleanor Polley, a former director to the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The recipient of this award is an individual who has been influential in the community and has been affiliated with various organizations, involved in local efforts, and is connected with the business community.  Nominations were submitted to a committee of past recipients and then voted upon. Pitkin Gift Shoppe and Shelby State Bank are the sponsors of this award. 

Congratulations goes to community member John VanLoon. John retired from education in 2020, but prior to that served as the Whitehall High School principal for 10 years where he lead the charge in their new building. For the past two decades, he had come alongside wife Amy VanLoon at the White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau.

As an unpaid “staff member” of the Chamber, he has spent countless hours and days at events, at travel and tourism shows to promote our area, maintained the historic depot with maintenance needs, driven the Petunia Patrol, helped tourists with directions, been to numerous ribbon cuttings and business celebrations to show his support of local, and much more. All of this was done in his own time, and often when Amy was not around—Chamber staff has always known John can be called for help. Congratulations to John VanLoon.

Honorary Anniversary Celebrations

Sponsored by Scheid Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, went to:

Congratulations to all!

Certificate of Completion of our Board of Directors, sponsored by White Lake Beacon, went to David Dusenberry with Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt, who completed two terms (totaling six years) on the Chamber of Commerce Board, including time as the Vice Chair. Thank you David for your time and dedication to this organization and the community.

“This is always my favorite event of the year.” Says Amy VanLoon, Executive Director of the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. “Being able to celebrate a year of successes in our organization and within our business community is a highlight.”