BonnerSprings.com / Chamber holds annual dinner

Archive for Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Retired teacher Edna Kloepper accepts the Bonner Springs Community Service Award from Mayor Clausie Smith at Tuesday night's Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner at the Edwardsville Community Center. Taking a photo of Kloepper, in the background, was Marilyn Allen. Harold "Woody" Berry received the award for Edwardsville, but was unable to attend.

January 30, 2008

Edwardsville — The Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce honored two longtime community leaders at its annual dinner Tuesday.

The chamber honored Harold "Woody" Berry of Edwardsville and Edna Klepper of Bonner Springs.

Berry is a former Edwardsville mayor and has also served on the City Council and on the planning commission, of which he is currently a member. He has been involved in church and community affairs for many years. He was ill and unable to attend the dinner Tuesday, so Mayor Heinz Rodgers presented his award to his wife, Elaiine.

Mayor Clausie Smith of Bonner Springs presented his city's award to retired teacher Edna Kloepper.

About 130 people braved frigid temperatures Tuesday night to attend the dinner at the Edwardsville Community Center. Charlene Biles, chamber executive vice president, said the crowd was the largest ever to turn out for the annual dinner.

Rodgers and Smith, who acted as co-masters of ceremonies for the dinner, recounted outstanding events and accomplishment in their cities during the past year.

Chamber President Mike Clouse also recongnized retiring board members Dale Krumm of the YMCA; Rita Hoag, Bonner Springs city clerk; and Bill Shippee of Shawnee Copy Center.

Clouse, who begins his third year as chamber president, also introduced other officers: Jerry Abbott, first vice president; Marcia Ashford, second vice president; Paul Bush, third vice president; Jane Jackson, treasurer; and Biles, executive vice president and secretary.