Chamber event honors Citizen, Business, and Educators of the Year
By JESSICA BRICKER
Monday was a night of celebration for several honorees at the annual dinner of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.
The community’s top educators, citizen and business were recognized with speeches, applause and plaques “under the big top” as this year’s theme was “It’s Showtime in Wells County.”
After hitting the highlights of the year’s activities — including $45,000 in Chamber Bucks were sold in 2021, $12,000 raised during the 4-H Fair chicken dinner, and 50-plus members were added to the 448-member strong organization — other noteworthy portions of the evening included the recognition of Alyssa Sponseller as the Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
There was also a changing of the guard with Rick Gentis as the outgoing board president and Rob Lyons as the incoming board president.
The top educators were first recognized via a pre-recorded video.
Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District’s educator of the year is Tara Cocanower, a social studies teacher at Bluffton High School.
In the video, student Caroline Buskirk said Cocanower is always fun.
“I love that about her and her classroom,” Buskirk said.
Cocanower, she added, makes her feel like she can change the world one day.
Cocanower said she loves the people of the world and their stories, which is why she enjoys teaching world history. She hopes that through her lessons she teaches her students empathy and curiosity.
Northern Wells Community Schools’ educator of the year is Hollie Parker, a math teacher at Norwell Middle School.
Student Delaney Hoover said in the pre-recorded video that Parker cares and she can tell every time she steps into the classroom.
“She does it for the kids,” Hoover said.
Parker said every student who she interacts with is someone’s child, and they all deserve the best she can offer.
Southern Wells Community Schools’ educator of the year is Mark Gates, an English teacher at the junior/senior high school.
Gates said he enjoys sharing his passion with his students and helping them realize their potential.
Student Jazzy Gillum described Gates as uplifting.
“He makes the school a better place when he’s around,” Gillum said.
After the educators were honored, the other top awards were presented.
The Business of the Year is Wells County Automotive Supply, the Bluffton NAPA store owned by Bruce and Kate Stinson. They were introduced by Phil Swain of PNC Bank.
Swain offered a play on words while referencing the NAPA slogan.
“It should be Stinson ‘know how,’” Swain said.
He shared examples of how Bruce Stinson goes above and beyond to help his customers. Their actions — as supporters of so many organizations, including Friends Who Care Cancer Relief Foundation and the Wells Community Boys and Girls Club — is a reflection of their characters and their standing as staples of the community.
Swain said while Kate Stinson was recently quoted as saying the community has been good to the Stinsons, Swain had a counter explanation.
“You and your business have been very good to Wells County,” Swain said.
Bruce Stinson recalled his loyal employees and customers over the years — the years since he and Kate met at the store in 1971, dated, married and later purchased the store together in 1986.
The community’s support of their business has led them to be able to support worthwhile efforts in the community, he explained.
The final honor of the evening was presented to the Citizen of the Year, Todd Reimschisel. He was introduced by his wife Lori.
She said he uses his gift to help others in anyway he can, and he has made many friends along the way over the years and has been involved in numerous community activities.
She said Todd is not one to brag on himself, but noted she is proud when he introduces her as his wife.
When Todd Reimschisel took to the podium, he was silent for a moment before showing the crowd gathered at the Wells Community Building a “prop” he brought along with him — a battery jump box.
He said he hoped someone would need him to jump-start their battery Monday evening; he would certainly feel more comfortable doing that than speaking to the event’s attendees. The Family Ford of Bluffton co-owner also hoped, though, that the vehicle in need was not a Ford.
Before thanking his wife and Wells County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Prible, Reimschisel said he truly believed the wrong person was being honored Monday evening. He prays he can pay their kindness forward.
“Have I told you how great of a community we have?” he later added.
jessica@news-banner.com
