GAMBIER — Nearly 300 attended the 98th annual Knox County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner meeting Friday night at Kenyon College’s Peirce Hall. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ted and Ann Schnormeier were given the award by presenter Bonnie Coe of Central Ohio Technical College.
left to right: Gary Baker, the Energy Cooperative; Margie Bennett, MVNU; Bonnie Coe, COTC; Ann Schnormeier, Ted Schnormeier – KnoxPages.com photo by Marty Trese
The award is given someone who makes a significant contribution to Knox County and makes a positive impact on our lives. The Schnormeiers have given back to the community in numerous ways. Mr. Schnormeir is retired from Jeld-Wen. The couple allows the public to tour Schnormeier Gardens every June. Their latest project is the revitalization of the old PPG plant which is being absorbed into Ariel-Foundation Park. Ted said that the hope is the site will have an event center and that donations will come in to build it. An invitation-only fundraiser is coming up this Thursday at the B & O Railroad depot in Mount Vernon for that purpose.
Awards were sponsored by local businesses and the honorees include:
Heart Award sponsored by Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston: Gund Gallery, Kenyon College
Women in Business Leadership sponsored by Fredericktown Chevrolet: Cheri Butcher, First Knox National Bank
Business of the Year sponsored by First-Knox National Bank: Knox County Career Center
Small Business of the Year sponsored by Zelkowitz, Barry & Cullers: R & M Southside Diner
Paul Slaughter Volunteer of the Year sponsored by CenturyLink: Mark Ramser, Ohio Cumberland Gas
Investor in the Future sponsored by Ariel Corporation: Boucher & McCurdy Families
Quality of Life sponsored by Knox Community Hospital: Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County
Environmental Sustainability sponsored by Kenyon College: Central Ohio Technical College
The Judy Klavins Ambassador of the Year Award sponsored by The Killbuck Savings Bank Co.: Teresa Holden, Habitat 4 Health
