Chamber Extravaganza honors members for service

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With 130 people in attendance, the Seward Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Extravaganza recognized local residents for their service to others Jan. 19 at Harvest Hall in Seward.

Special speaker Sen. Mark Kolterman of Seward spoke about the opening session of the Nebraska Legislature. He said he has enjoyed the process of building relationships with the other senators.

Interim Chamber Director Kathy Evert spoke about the 2015 Annual Report and talked about the Chamber’s accomplishments including the various events the Chamber coordinates throughout the year.

Extravaganza Emcee Shane Baack recognized and thanked outgoing chamber board members Roger Glawatz, Dennis Kahl, Greg and Terri Whisler and Brad Perdue.

2015 Chamber Board President Renee Coufal was presented with the Past President’s Award.

“Renee led the board of directors, executive director and interim executive directors this year, and the organization through another year of significant change,” Baack said.

Baack presented the 2016 Ambassador of the Year award to Rick Gray with Liberty First Credit Union.

“He attended 11 of the 14 Ambassador calls this past year and has supported other Chamber events including the Christmas Parade, the Duck Race and the Spring Show,” Baack said.

The 2016 Spirit of Seward award was presented to Greg and Dixie Zabka with Zabka Funeral Home. The award recognizes those who go above and beyond in their service to the Chamber and community.

“It is our pleasure to recognize and thank Greg and Dixie Zabka for sharing their support and most importantly their precious time and talents with Seward and Seward County,” Baack said.

Greg Zabka has served as president of the Chamber and has served two terms on the board of directors. He has helped coordinate the Santa Claus house and activities started by John Wood, who originally owned and operated the funeral home.

He is past president of the Seward Rotary Club, serves in the Seward United Methodist Church including the Living Last Supper pageant, and is immediate past president of The Nebraska Mortician’s Association. Dixie Zabka has also served on many committees with the Chamber and has been involved with the Seward Junior Women’s Club, the United Methodist Church, PEO and sings in the church choir.

The Allen Barghahn Customer Service award was the final award of the night and was presented to Karel Schoepf for her service at the Amigos restaurant in Seward. The award is to recognize excellent customer service in the community.

“Customer service is not and cannot be a job that is just about the money, a living. It is more than that. And there are people in this world that we are fortunate to have on the front lines, making a difference,” Baack said. “Thank you, Karel, for all of the people you touch, serve and interact with each day in such a friendly and positive way.”

Near the end of the meeting, Baack spoke in support of the proposed Partnership between area chambers and economic development groups and of what is to come.

“2016 will be a year of transition and endless possibilities for Seward and all of Seward County,” he said. “The private and public sectors are united and citizens are engaged for the betterment of all Seward County. Let’s all work together and achieve this vision in the next many years.”

As part of the business meeting, voting chamber members were asked to vote on the issue of dissolving the current Seward Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the steps needed in making the proposed new group, the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership, possible.

On Jan. 25, Evert said the vote was unanimous in favor of dissolving the Chamber with 30 members present to vote.