Business 09 Review
SIDNEY HERALD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010
39
Sidney Chamber awards businesses, individuals SUNRISE SPIRIT AWARD Bryan Prevost who piloted the Wings of Freedom Air Show II being held in Richland County during September was one of the winners during the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture’s awards banquet in January. Prevost was honored with the Sunrise Spirit award, sponsored by the Sidney Herald. Because of his tenacious persistence and attention to detail, the Snowbirds gave him a shot, and an air show was set in motion and quickly became a premier event by the task force. Prevost then handled all the details of their stay and performance, conducting a lot of his business on a cell phone, from a combine cab. Countless hours were spent coming to Sidney to handle air show details, making publicity appearances, and attending the weekly task force meetings. His work with this particular performance is considered the feature that will long be remembered about this air show. The Snowbirds reported, “Mr. Bryan Prevost worked very closely and extensively with our Advance Team and in the end, did a superb job in ensuring all areas of the support manual were covered. ”
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS AWARD Greg and Linette Miller were the winners of the Partners in Progress award, sponsored by Seitz Insurance. Chamber officials explained, “In June at the Town & Country Festival he started first thing in the morning helping with the float and parade. Then he helped with games on the courthouse lawn. And they finished the evening with a breakfast after the barn dance. The Air Show Banquet committee was formed and she came to the meetings, helped with the planning, and then helped with the banquet that evening. That banquet put an exclamation mark on the whole day. He took on the entertainment portion of the Christmas Stroll and provided a great line-up of performers, had a great stage set
up, and made sure the sound system worked.”
ENTREPRENEUR AWARD The Entrepreneur Award winner was The Lucky Buckle, sponsored by Richland Economic Development. Chamber officials said, “This year’s business is a partnership of a sister and brother. She has always been interested in sewing, clothing and having her own business, while he is out of the area and provided capital, consulting and works with the books. These owners grew up here and are committed to having their business here.” Comments on Chamber members’ ballots were extensive. One comment was, “Has improved our downtown with fun and exciting window displays and a variety of product, an interesting shop for all to visit.” Another wrote, “The store has captured everyone’s attention in Sidney and beyond. The store is always coming up with fresh, fun ideas and merchandise.”
AGRICULTURE AWARD Bill and Jennifer Davis, owners of Rollin’ Rock Angus Ranch, were the winners of the Agriculture Award, sponsored by the Ag Roundup. Chamber officials explained, “They have both taken on leadership roles that make the business better for everyone involved. He has been a director of the Montana Stockgrowers, MonDak Stockgrowers, Eastern Montana Angus Association and the Montana Angus Association. Last fall, he was elected president of the American Angus Association where he has been on the board for eight years. “She was the first secretary/treasurer of the MonDak Stockgrowers, is currently secretary/treasurer of the Eastern Montana Angus Association, and has been president of the Montana Angus Auxiliary. “All this involvement helps the Sidney area to be known as a source of high quality beef cattle. With their annual sale and the visitors that come to their ranch, our motels and related businesses
BILL VANDER WEELE | SIDNEY HERALD
Award winners at the Sidney Chamber banquet included, front from left, Cheryl Garza, Marci Albin and Bryan Prevost; back, Jennifer Davis, Cindy Wagner and Greg and Linette Miller. benefit. This couple highlights the beauty of our area on their American Rancher show. They were also instrumental in the Best of the West Beef Showcase inception, and is a faithful hole sponsor of the Ag Appreciation Golf Tournament.”
HORIZON AWARD Winner of the Horizon Award was Cheryl Garza, owner of The Rush, sponsored by Sidney Health Center. “This beginning sounds like a homesteader’s tale. She started in a 10 X 12 building out in the middle of no where, didn’t have running water, and had to run down the street to use a bathroom. This was 11 years ago. But the cars started coming, and the line kept getting longer, especially in the morning. This business in-
creased in popularity, and eventually it wore that little building out,” Chamber officials said. “After looking at several options, it was decided to work with the landowner to get a lease so they could build a larger building to handle the increase in business and give people inside room to work. So Cheryl put in a new 12 X 22 building with running water, a bathroom and room for the workers who have included two granddaughters, her dad, a brother and a daughter, besides herself. “
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD The Educator of the Year award was presented to Cindy Wagner of Sidney Middle School, sponsored by DTF Education Consulting. Wagner began her career at Sidney 31 years ago, and has
taught at both Sidney High School and Sidney Middle School. One of the impressive points about this teacher is her continuing education. She started her career with a degree in family and consumer sciences, and has minor degrees in child development and family relations, and nutrition. In 1992 she received an additional degree in library media, and then again in 2002 a master’s degree in education technology. She is considered by the school administration to be one of the most versatile teachers on their staff. “She has never lost the drive to learn new ways to creatively teach in a way that keeps students engaged,” Sidney Middle School Principal Kelly Johnson said.