Chamber announces winners

The Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce held its 99th annual banquet at the fairgrounds building this past Saturday. United States Senator John Barrasso, Governor Mark Gordon and County Commission Chairman Phillip Scheel were present to open up the event. All spoke glowingly about Thermopolis and how the town and the community have impacted their lives. They thanked the community for all that they do. 

Senator Barrasso spoke about introducing a bill to rename the Thermopolis Post Office after former Postmaster Robert Brown. He added about how his wife grew up in Thermopolis and spoke about his connection to the community.

The guests enjoyed a dinner catered by Black Bear Cafe of chicken and roast beef. The chamber held a variety of auctions, raffles and announced its 2019 winners of the year.

The 2019 winners of Citizen of the Year are James Coates of the Fire department and Howie and Suzanne Samelson of Discover Thermopolis Print Zone. Coates is known for his hard work and services to the community as a first responder. His interests in this work started at a young age. The Samelson's are also heavily involved in the community and serve on various boards. Their business is known as the "hot sauce capital of the world."

For the 2019 winner of the Business of the Year is Dairyland & Hot City Coffee. The business was started three decades ago by Brad and Shannon Shaffer, and in the last eight years, Kevin and Jordan Gerber have been the new owners. They are no longer a seasonal business for the summers but are open year-round.

For the 2019 winner of Nonprofit of the Year is the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department. They are known for their hard work and sacrifice as first responders.

Also, the Volunteer of the Year award went to John and Sonya Holm and Keith and Pam Kerr. They are known to the community for their cookie jar auctions where they raise funds for families and people in need. Their auctioneering and support to the community has been extremely helpful. 

The chamber auctioned off six entries for a Yellowstone Adventure package that includes two nights at the Silver Gate Lodge, gasoline and entry to the park. Black Bear Cafe won the auction three different times, totaling $2,900. The other auction winners were Re-Max for $675,  Tumbleweed Propane for $725, and Merlin's Hideout for $600. Also auctioned was to fly a flag from the US capital, which Black Bear Cafe won for $1000.

Deb Tudor, Greg Willson, Phillip Scheel and Barb Heinze were awarded as Best Former Directors. The President Award went to pastor Chuck Cooper.

The chamber held a video presentation instead of having a single main speaker since they could not attend due to COVID. Featured were authors Michael and Kathleen Gear, CJ Box and Craig Johnson. All expressed their great thanks and inspiration the town of Thermopolis brings to their writing, their crafts and their businesses. Every speaker spoke about how they couldn't create their work without Thermopolis and the hot springs, the canyon and the people. 

The banquet sponsors are Range, Tumbleweed Propane, Big Horn Federal and Black Bear Cafe.