Brandy Nance
Marla McClellan (left), assistant manager of Town Crier Bookstore, and Becky Smith, manager, receive the Business of the Year Award from Emporia Main Street Tuesday evening at the organization’s annual meeting.
It was an evening of good music, good food and lots of awards at Emporia Main Street’s annual meeting Tuesday evening.
Mary Helmer, who served as Main Street’s executive director for nine years before taking a job with Kansas Main Street, was given an award for her service by outgoing president Michael Black. Black rewarded her with a smile and a pail — for her having “bailed out” on Main Street.
“I’ve always been nice to Mary over the years, but because she bailed out on us, I got something for her to bail out with!” Black said, with a smile and a chuckle.
When Helmer approached the front of the room to get her pail, she discovered that it was filled with treats from the Sweet Granada. As she returned to her seat, she declared to her table that she wasn’t sharing her treats, as people around her chuckled.
Black also gave his annual state of the organization address before the vote to elect a new president. One of the organization’s biggest changes was the hiring of Kayla Oney to replace Helmer as executive director.
“When we asked Kayla, ‘What could you bring to Emporia Main Street?’ she answered quickly ‘fresh eyes,’” Black said. “Fresh eyes really brings a lot to the table.”
Black said Main Street has grown in the past year and so have the members’ efforts. More than 2,000 volunteer hours were logged in the past year and more than $24,000 in façade renovation was done. Black said the “Incentive Without Walls” program, which is a zero-interest loan program for businesses, has been successful and there are plans to launch a new program that is similar but will allow more freedom than the current program.
Black talked about the entrepreneur program that Main Street partnered in with Flint Hills Technical College. The first class of that program has graduated, Black said.
Following Black’s talk, new officers were elected. Board members elected for three-year terms include Ray Toso, Michael Black, Shane Shivley and Becky Smith.
Officers for 2007-2008 are: president, Steve Harmon; vice-president, Deborah Huth; treasurer, Becky Smith; and secretary, Mark McAnarney.
Following the election of officers, Oney presented this year’s special awards. Town Crier Bookstore received the Business of the Year award. The business was given the award for its outstanding customer service, volunteerism and community involvement, Oney said. The award was accepted by manager Becky Smith and assistant manager Marla McClellan.
Kim Redeker of the Sweet Granada was given the Volunteer of the Year award.
“She has been very helpful to Main Street this year,” Oney said.
Among Redeker’s contributions to Main Street are helping with the board retreat and helping out with Main Street’s entrepreneur program. Oney said Redeker is always willing to help entrepreneurs. Redeker also made a miniature replica of the Granada Theatre recently.
The final award given was the Advocate Award for people that support Main Street in a unique way. Three people received this award. Laurie Schmidt was given the award for her longtime support and help with the payroll and quarterly tax reports. Shawn Honea was honored for his help in the design elements for the newsletter. Scott Bolley was honored for his help with Main Street’s Web site and electronic newsletter.
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