Canby Chamber Awards Banquet 2007

by Don Beman

Karen and Chuck Houtman were named 2007 Canby Citizens of the Year during the annual Canby Chamber of Commerce Community Recognition Nigh held last Friday.
The annual event is designed to afford businesses and organizations in Canby the opportunity to recognize those employees or volunteers who have done an outstanding job during the last year.
Those who recognized individuals this year included Canby Farmers Cooperative, Canby Public Schools, Canby Education Association, REM Southwest Services, Minnesota West, Canby Student Council, Canby Rotary, Blue and Gold Foundation, the city of Canby and the Chamber.
The first citizen of the year was named last year — Dar Snortum.
The Chamber also sponsors the Community Spirit Award.
Recipients are nominated by members of the community and a panel of judges makes the final decision based on the nominations.
The Houtmans were nominated by Paul Frazeur.
“Karen and Charles Houtman are friends to all and a great inspiration to many,”Frazeur wrote. “They are committed to the young people in our community.”
Karen Houtman is director of The Connection and Frazeur noted she and her husband “have, over the past few years, dedicated many hours and energy in the planning, remodeling and development of the former grocery store into a great place for Canby’s youth.”
In the other awards included in the program:
— Greg Coil was recognized by Farmers Cooperative for service excellence.
— Diana Anderson was recognized for her service on the Canby School Board.
— REM Southwest recognized Mary Anne O’Reilly for her ARRM Cares Award, Deloris Schwartz for Community Champion REM Mentor award; Carol Nosbush for the Ripple of Hope Award.
— The Canby Education Association recognized Cathy Cleveland for Teacher of the Year.
— Minnesota West Technical and Community College recognized Nadine Sorby and DeAnna Burlingame for Dedication and Service Awards.
— Pastor Jeff Cooper was recognized for the Canby Rotary Club Vocational Service Award.
— The Canby Student Council recognized Leslie Full for her work as Student Council President.
— The Birk Family — Dick and Sharon Birk, Kelley Nemitz, Sarah Thorsteinson and Tony Birk — were recognized by the Blue and Gold Foundation as Canby Community Scholarship Volunteers.
— Bernie Miller was recognized with the Chamber Community Spirit Award for her work with the Fair Board. St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and other groups and organizations.
— Deb Nefstead and Carmen Ronan, founders of the Small Animal Humane Society, were honored with the Chamber Community Spirit Award.