Prairie du Chien chamber recognizes business community
By Correne Martin
The 2019 Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Program brought about 150 business professionals together for an elegant night Oct. 2, on the Celebration Belle paddlewheel boat. A night cruise on the Mississippi River was enjoyed along with a buffet-style meal and beverages. Chamber President and CEO Bob Moses emceed the event and, along with chamber board president, Nick Coffield, presented the night’s awards.
Moses said the local chamber has existed for 70 years as a membership organization devoted to providing value to members with programs and services, member referrals, events, networking opportunities, marketing strategies, sponsorships and more. The chamber hosts 12 annual events and, together with the tourism council, city and residents, creates a community that hosts over 90 events per year.
President Coffield and Tourism Council Chairperson Mary Antoine also spoke about the river community, the tourism industry and the Prairie du Chien chamber’s connections in tieing those key community traits to the business district.
Ten awards were presented during the banquet. They included recognition for years of service and various aspects of community investment, as individuals or business partnerships. Honorees were:
•C.F. La Pointe Award—Curt Zinkle, of Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly, former three-year chamber president
•President’s Award—Robert Vavra, of Maiden Voyage Tours, selected by chamber president Nick Coffield
•Entrepreneur of the Year—Todd Crotty, of Muddy Waters Pizza Pub, the Leaf Chief and developer of the former Fort Crawford Hotel
•110 Year Anniversary Award—Pete’s Hamburger Stand and the Gokey family
•100 Year Centennial Award—Panka Shoe Store and Theresa Mezera
•75 Year Diamond Award—Stark’s Sport Shop & Liquor Store
•25 Year Silver Award—Paper Moon Books & Gifts and Louise and Jen White
•Community Investment Awards—Prairie du Chien Area School District and Prairie du Chien Memorial Library
•New Business of the Year—Supreme Graphics (formerly Howe Printing)
Mike Valley, owner of Valley Fish and Cheese, snagged the microphone toward the end of the program for a short statement that summed up the night.
“Everyone here is a piece of a puzzle that puts this area together,” he said. “We all do a little bit each day to strive for a better tomorrow.”