Person and Business of the Year Awards among those distributed at Waukon Chamber of Commerce Banquet
Person of the Year - Dr. Rick Hermeier ... Dr. Rick Hermeier of Waukon is pictured above displaying the award he received for being named Waukon’s 2020 Person of the Year at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held Saturday, March 7 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Pictured above, left to right, following the award presentation are: Lee McGovern, Pastor Bryan Robertson of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kira, Calvin and Jeff DeBuhr, Linda DeBuhr, Dr. Rick Hermeier, and Derek, Hattie and Victor Johnson, Dana DeBuhr Johnson and Franklin Johnson. Standard photo by Joe Moses. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
Business of the Year - Krambeer’s Barber Shop ... Pictured above following the presentation of the 2020 Business of the Year award are, left to right: Ken Krambeer’s brother and sister-in-law Dean and Linda Krambeer, sister-in-law Bev Krambeer, sister Kim Sylvester, son and daughter-in-law Brian and Jean Krambeer, Gloria and Ken Krambeer, and Ken’s son and grandchildren Brad, Kaitlyn and Konnor Krambeer. Standard photo by Joe Moses. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
Community Recognition Award - Dave’s Gus & Tony’s Pizza & Steakhouse ... Pictured at above, left to right, following the award presentation are: Christie and Drew Bell, Dave and Julie Hageman-Bell, and Marcus, Samara, Alyssa and Sebastian Bell. Not pictured: Mason and Avery Bell, Nicholas Bell, Nathan and Lillian Allen, Carley Looney, and Aleigha and Brielle Koester. Standard photo by Joe Moses. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
Person of the Year - Dr. Rick Hermeier ... Nomination information for Dr. Hermeier centered around not only the funding endowments he has established in support of causes such as Waukon High School athletics, vulnerable youth in the local community and mental health matters within Allamakee County, but also in the care and compassion he exhibits by attending area events, meeting with local leaders and supporting individuals, organizations and causes with words of encouragement or thoughtful acts. Noted in letters supporting his nomination was his ample but quiet generosity in sharing his good fortune, directly benefiting many local and area entities. Such investments in his hometown community have resulted in facility improvements for athletics, fine arts and academics within the Allamakee Community School District; support of mental health by helping fund a designated mental health room at Veterans Memorial Hospital, mental health training for school and hospital employees, and programs on mental health and suicide prevention; and the maintenance and establishment of new community recreation facilities. One letter supporting his nomination summed up Dr. Hermeier’s commitment to his hometown best by saying, “I find him asking one question over and over again: ‘How can I make the biggest difference for Waukon?’.”
Business of the Year - Krambeer’s Barber Shop ... Krambeer’s Barber Shop of Waukon, owned and operated by Ken Krambeer, was named 2020 Business of the Year at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held Saturday, March 7 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Nomination information for Krambeer’s Barber Shop in its selection as this year’s recipient of the award focused on not only the services provided by Krambeer for the past 55 years in his line of work and the business environment that serves as a welcome refuge for community discussion, support and information, but also on Krambeer’s willingness to take his services beyond his storefront to those who are hospitalized or otherwise unable to venture out to benefit from his grooming services. His support and care shown for others finds him making visits to the hospital, nursing homes or people’s homes just to check in with them and offer help to them in some way. That knack for serving others has carried over into numerous volunteer and leadership roles in the community that have involved First Presbyterian Church, the Allamakee Athletic Booster Club, the Waukon Jaycees organization, the chain gang for Waukon High School football, and the Veterans Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy and annual golf tournament, among others. Krambeer’s Barber Shop has also sponsored numerous youth sports teams and other events and activities in the community over the years. One letter of support called the business a “landmark on Main Street in downtown Waukon.”
Community Recognition Award - Dave’s Gus & Tony’s Pizza & Steakhouse ... A special award was among those distributed at the 2020 Waukon Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held Saturday, March 7 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Dave’s Gus & Tony’s Pizza & Steakhouse was honored with a Community Recognition Award by the Waukon Chamber of Commerce for being what nomination information for the award described as “a staple in our community for almost 40 years” before suffering the effects of a February 10 fire that destroyed the family business and the building that housed the restaurant and a residence for members of the family. In addition to providing a dining experience enjoyed by many throughout the years, owner Dave Bell and his family were also recognized for the sacrifices they made in serving the local community with open hours seven days of every week. Dave’s Gus & Tony’s Pizza & Steakhouse also provided an established meeting place for many community organizations and informal groups, and supported the gamut of community activities, groups and families through financial, food or service contributions that have touched the lives of many within Waukon and beyond.
Additional award photos can be found inside this week’s print edition and e-edition.
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