Chamber hosts annual banquet

Union County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual banquet Thursday night, Dec. 9.

The banquet was held at Blue Sky Vineyards near Makanda.

The chamber presented four awards at the banquet.

The business of the year award went to Save-A-Lot in Jonesboro.

The new business of the year award went to the Strike Zone in Anna.

Rural Health Inc. was presented with the chamber's business improvement award.

Dean and Gail Short were honored as citizens of the year. The Shorts, and Short Enterprises, own nine McDonald's restaurants in the region. They are very active in the community.

Chamber directors and officers include:

Shon Bauer, Capaha Bank, vice president. Chris Boyd, Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative.

Rick Campbell, The Gazette-Democrat. Bill Cunningham, Cunningham Electronics Corporation.

Greg George, Anna State Bank. Nikki Hadley, Short Enterprises.

Carol Hoffman, Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau. Bill Jackson, Union County Press, president.

Jeff Landis, MidAmerica WebSites. Melanie Lasley, Anna-Jonesboro National Bank (treasurer).

Nina Lofton, US Bank. Jerry Reppert, The Gazette-Democrat.

Mary Rothschild, Union County Hospital. Paula Stairs, Shawnee Development Council. Cindy Swope, City of Anna.

Jeannie Landis is executive director of the chamber.