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Community and business leaders to be honored at Charlemagne celebration

Like a true and modern mythical legend, the annual Charlemagne Award presented by the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce is a deeply honored tradition with a most unique history. This year, the 57th Annual Charlemagne Awards celebration will take place Friday, May 2, at the Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles. The event will honor the bestof-the-best in the St. Charles community with the backdrop of a celebratory event complete with a delicious dinner, open bar, dancing and tidbits of 1968 history. It’s the significant year in which the Charlemagne Award was established.

The lifetime achievement Charlemagne

Award gives recognition to one community member each year who emulates a distinguished history of commitment and service to the City of St. Charles.

The St. Charles Area Chamber is pleased to announce that three dedicated and

formidable St. Charles supporters who have been nominated for this year’s Charlemagne Award: Bob Karas, owner of the Karas Restaurant Group; Brian McNally, owner and CEO of McNally’s Heating and Cooling; and Charlie Murphy, owner of Midwest Compost. Each has a long history of volunteerism and dedication to the St. Charles community and reflects one or more of the four pillars on which the Charlemagne Award is based: civic; education; community/recreation; and religious/worship. Their involvement epitomizes a true commitment that makes a difference.

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St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

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BOB KARAS

Karas oversees the Karas Restaurant Group which owns and operates a total of 17 restaurants within the Fox Valley area, including Alexander’s Café, Old Republic Kitchen & Grill, Rookies All American Bar & Grill, The Village Squire Restaurant, Rookie’s Rochaus, and the new Squire Ale House. The family business was founded by the late Paul Karas, father of Bob Karas, and his uncle George Karas. A family man and father of 7, Bob supports many Chamber and local events and non-profits, including the Salvation Army, Cal’s Angels, and Project Mobility. In addition, Karas recently received an Honorary Alumni Award from Judson University in Elgin.

BRIAN MCNALLY

McNally started his family-owned and community focused business in 2013 and it comprises a team of over 50 employees. The company provides a wide variety of services and products and Brian is proud his employees are “honest, reliable, and knowledgeable”. The business has been voted as one of the best by Shaw Media readers and most recently, he was named one of the Chicago Titan 100 honorees recognizing the top 100 CEO’s and C-level executives in Chicago.

McNally is actively involved in local St. Charles community organizations. He serves on the boards of the St. Charles History Museum, and the St. Charles Business

Alliance, including recently serving on the board of the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce. His commitment extends to the support of the local St. Charles Arts Council and the nonprofit CASA Kane County.

CHARLIE MURPHY

Murphy is the owner of Midwest Compost and has expanded his business over the past six years as the climate has become a much bigger concern for consumers. He has donated his company’s services to Hope’s Garden charity efforts, the local Random Acts chapter and CASA Kane County in St. Charles, and dedication to sustainable landscaping. He is a strong supporter of the Chamber, playing a key role in #StrongerTogetherSTC initiative during COVID. He actively volunteers at Chamber events and contributed his vintage firetruck to the Holiday Electric Parade.

Midwest Compost received the Chamber’s Business Category Award in 2019, and in 2023, Charlie was honored with the Chairman’s Award. He is on the board of the Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition with a strong commitment that composting is a “no-brainer” and greener way to dispose of food waste.

Community members, Chamber members, family members, and guests from the St. Charles area are all warmly invited to honor the award nominees and the announcement of this year’s Charlemage recipient.

MORE HONORS

Additional honorees of the evening will include:

n L.E.A.P Award: Presented to a Chamber member who has provided exceptional support to other women while demonstrating excellence in professionalism and leadership. This year’s recipient is Daphne Velez, Branch Manager of First American Bank.

n Civic Image Award: Recognizing Chamber members whose humanitarian efforts, civic initiatives, or personal projects outside their businesses have positively impacted the St. Charles area and enhanced the community’s image. This year’s honorees are Albert “Bo” Smith, Professional Consultant, and Jim and Kim Maffia of Kendall’s Kindness.

The Chamber established the ongoing Charlemagne Award in 1968 and its notoriety lives on as a prestigious and highly-anticipated event. Its origins began with a short story, “The Legend of Charlemagne”, written by the 16th Mayor of St. Charles, Clarence “C.V.” Amenoff, who served from 1969-73. The story heralded the assets of his beloved City and the award was originated by Amenoff.

CAST YOUR VOTE

Charlemagne voting ends April 15; only one vote per person. Winner to be announced May 2 during the awards ceremony.

St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

SAVE THE DATE TO TEE IT UP

Where have the years gone? Mark your calendars today so you won’t miss the St. Charles Area Chamber’s 50th Annual Golf Outing this summer on Friday, Aug. 8, at Prairie Landing Golf Club in West Chicago.

“We look forward to having a lot of fun and a few surprises during our golf outing’s significant 50th anniversary this year,” says Becky Greenlee, executive director, St. Charles Area Chamber. “Our golfers are in for a real surprise with the variety of creative and challenging games we have in store to boost the competitive spirit. Get ready, because some involve some very unusual props, too!”

“We’re in the planning stage right now and are grateful for the staff at Prairie Landing, a premier public golf facility, who are sharing their ideas and helping us to champion the Chamber’s 50th anniversary long-standing golf event.”

Cost for the outing is $200 per individual golfer or $750 for a foursome, which includes

practice range, breakfast, mimosa/bloody mary bar, 18 holes with golf cart, drink ticket, and a box lunch. Following a day of golf, participants will enjoy a reception to enjoy delicious food and a cashbar-cocktail hour.

Area businesses are encouraged to chip in as a sponsor of the golf outing. Sponsorships are available for every hole, which gives your business major visibility to over 100 golfers enjoying a fun round of golf. “We’d love to add your business to this special list,” Greenlee said.

Giving back is an important part of the golf outing, too, as the Chamber’s Industrial Committee highlights a special fundraising effort.

Members of the committee will be stationed on the putting green to gladly accept donations which fund scholarships for students at Compass Academy and St. Charles Community Unit School District 303. These scholarships are awarded in the name of the late Peter Schwartz, who served as

chair of the Industrial Committee and unexpectedly passed several years ago. It’s a special lasting tribute to Peter and a win-win for the entire community.

If you have any questions about how you can get involved with our 50th Anniversary Golf Outing or to become a valued sponsor, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff at the Chamber.

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St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

JOSHUA FEAGANS Chair Feagans Law Group

PAULA PRICE Vice Chair Batir Architecture Ltd

NICK BROOKS Treasurer DHJJ, Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors

CHAMBER STAFF

MASSEY Marketing & Events

DIRECTORS

Advocate Sherman DAVE FROLICSTEIN Frolicstein Financial Wealth

Proactive Human Resources, LLC

First Mid Bank & Trust

Elgin Community College

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BECKY GREENLEE Executive Director NIKKI NELSON Member Relations

SHERI DESHAZO

ADAM HOGAN

CONNOR

RACHEL SCHUCK Edward Jones

CHARLES MURPHY Midwest Compost, LLC

ASHLEY ZEMAN

DEREK CONLEY City of St. Charles Non-voting member

CHERYL FLOOD

GET TO KNOW

BECKY GREENLEE

Chamber

Let’s have some fun with this informal Q & A. Find out a little more about the personal and professional sides of our Chamber Executive Director!

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

It would be the ability to speak and understand multiple languages—a true polyglot. I’d love to connect with people from all over the world through their native language. Unfortunately, my brain doesn’t quite work that way, and learning

a new language has always been a challenge for me.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure TV show?

“Friends” – it might not be a guilty pleasure, but it’s definitely a comfort show for me. I can watch it anytime, over and over, and it never fails to make me happy.

What’s your dream vacation destination?

Greece. The pictures simply take my breath away. I will make it there some day!

What’s one thing people would never guess about you?

I’ve been driving since I was seven years old. Growing up on a farm, everyone pitched in, and as soon as you could steer and reach the pedals, you were put to work. My first “vehicle” was a 4-wheeler, delivering drinks and lunches to my family in the fields. As I got older, the wheels got bigger. I’ll never forget the day my dad told me to take the wheel of the combine, reassuring me by saying, “Go for it — you can’t hurt anything out here!”

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St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce

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What’s your favorite way to spend free time?

I love date nights with my husband, game nights with my kids—though those are rare with my teenagers— baking, antiquing, or enjoying a beautiful day outside. But honestly, after a long, hectic week, sometimes the couch and my TV are my best friends!

What’s one skill you’ve always wanted to learn?

How to play the harmonica.

Who is someone you look up to and why?

This is a tough one because I admire so many people for different reasons. My parents, for their unwavering love and commitment in adopting and raising their children. My husband, for his incredible patience in all areas of life— including with me! And Nancy Fishman, one of the most challenging yet

inspiring leaders I’ve worked for at the Grand Victoria Foundation. She pushed me the hardest, taught me the most, and earned my deepest respect.

What’s your biggest dream for the future?

My biggest dream for the future is to have a home where my kids and grandkids love to return to—and will hold some of their greatest memories.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The Golden Rule; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I try to live by it as best as I can.

Are you passionate about a favorite sports team?

Passionate? Not exactly, but I am a big Cardinals fan. Growing up in Southern Illinois, St. Louis was the closest big city, and its teams naturally became

ours. Plus, my grandpa had some connections with the Cardinals, and I still remember Red Schoendienst coming out to fish at my grandparents’ lake. I even have an autographed baseball from him—a memory I’ll always treasure.

What is your usual order when going out to breakfast or dinner?

I rarely go out for breakfast. For dinner, nachos, salads, dirty martini’s.

What childhood memory makes you smile?

Spending summers riding 4-wheelers with my brother and cousins was the ultimate childhood adventure. We practically lived on those ATVs, exploring the countryside, carving out new trails, and building forts deep in the woods. Looking back, it was the purest sense of freedom and fun I had as a child.