Friday, March 22, 2024, marked the second annual Osage City Chamber of Commerce awards banquet, which was held at St. Brigid Hall. There were approximately one hundred attending the evening event which was filled with a variety of entertainment, good food and visiting with friends from the community. C.J. Adkins with Flinthills Catering, catered a delicious meal topped off with a triple chocolate torte dessert that melted in your mouth. Gavin Robert, a talented junior at Osage City High School provided a nice medley of soft dinner music on his keyboard & guitar. Following the meal, the first seqment of the evening program included two OCHS Forensics students presenting their award winning presentations. Mr. Dustin Stucky, Forensics instructor introduced Gavin Ericson and Emily Whalen. Both students gave very entertaining presentations and kept the attention of everyone.
Following the students was guest speaker, Casey Woods, Executive Director, of Emporia Main Street. He shared with the group some of the keys to a strong community. Emporia Main Street (EMS) is an economic and community development agency that operates within the City of Emporia and Lyon County. Their mission is to sustain and grow Emporia’s local economy by applying a four-point approach to create jobs, encourage tourism, and support entrepreneurs and business owners.
Highlighting the remainder of the program was the presentation of awards for four categories. Nominations for the four categories were submitted to the Chamber of Commerce throughout the months of February and March.
Award winners at the 2024 Osage City Chamber of Commerce awards banquet, from left, Stephanie and Jaryl Seth, Angie, Kevin, and Joshua Payne, Louise Lira, and Jeanette Stromgren.