The
Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce EMMA (Extraordinary Member Merit and Achievement) Awards will be held at a new venue
this year. The Chamber Executive Director Joyce Dych of the new location. "It's a larger venue," she continued. "It will seat more."
During
the event, 16 chamber members will receive an EMMA Award. Gold statuettes will be given in such categories as Best Producer
of an Adventure Series, Outstanding Achievement in Visual Artistry and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Awards will also be
given to the 12 Chamber Members of the Month for 2005.
Chamber
President Glenn Gschmeidler produces the event, including the multi-media presentation and the entertainment.
In
addition to the new location, Dych promises a few more surprises. "This year we have added a few new twists to dazzle the audience," Dych said. "Our
new format is sure to intrigue our guests."
Dych
said the EMMAs committee has been meeting every other week since September to plan the event. "There are a lot of people who have volunteered many
hours," she said. The event draws some 200 attendees, making it the most highly attended of the chamber's events. "We consider
it our signature event," she said.
The
annual awards ceremony also serves as a meeting for the chamber. Chamber Executive Director Joyce
Dych said 73 new members joined the chamber in 2005 making it the third largest chamber in Macomb County. And as a part of other chamber
business, Audio Sentry Corp. owner Michael Romano was named 2006 Chamber President.
Other EMMA award winners were:
Outstanding
Achievement in Visual Artistry: Advisor Source Newspaper Publisher Wayne Oehmke and staff for keeping the community well-informed.
Best
Producer of an Adventure Series: Dawn Rowley of the Ford Motor Co. Romeo Engine
Plant for her expertise and guidance with the chamber.
Individual
Achievement for Creative Artistry: Pat Dennert of the Republican Committee of North Macomb for her dedication with the chamber
scrapbook.
Outstanding
Director in a Reality-based Series: Romeo District Court Judge Denis LeDuc for
protecting the community and unprecedented judgment.
Best
Male Performance in a Small Town Role: Romeo Downtown Development Authority Chairman Robert Lipka for his role in the Romeo
Blueprint 2006 project.
Exceptional
Actress in a Past Performance: Ida Tenaglia, former owner of The Fifth Corner, for allowing the chamber to use the restaurant
for early morning meetings.
Best
Supporting Performance in a Classical Role: Terri Closs of Macomb Family Services for serving as the chamber director in the
past six years.
Dynamic
Team Choreographer in a Weekly Series: John Bomarito, of Money Mailer of North
Macomb, for his leadership with the Tuesday Networking Team.
Best
Performance in a Live Action Role: Michele Boulton of Elite Errands. Boulton was
honored for her "spirit and dependability as a chamber ambassador."
Distinguished
Ambassador of the Year: Grace Lutheran Church Pastor Eric Majeski for serving as
an ambassador.
Exceptional
Individual Achievement in a Motivational Performance: Sue Kane, owner of Kane's Town Hall Antiques and Antiques at the Corner,
for her energy at getting people to shop in the downtown.
Best Supporting Actor in a Variety Series: Tom Keliher
of Keliher & Associates for his charity work within the community.
Extraordinary
Cinematography and Special Effects: Richard Cory of WBRW Channel 6 for his dedication to reporting events and news in the
area.
Outstanding
Achievement for Event Choreographer: Jennifer Groomes of Groomes & Company
for her contributions to increase the chamber's visibility.
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