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The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce said goodbye to 2016 in style with a New Year’s Eve Eve awards reception followed by a dance on Dec. 30 at the Fireman’s Sports Arena.
The Chamber presented its year-end awards to open the evening. The program included presentation of the Citizen of the Year Award to Audrey Sullivan, Member of the Year Award to Kerry Mossler, and Lifetime Achievement Award to Nancy Anderson Haga.
“These awards highlight not only chamber members but the entire community,” Chamber Board Member Ilsa Loeser said. Loeser started the evening by presenting the Looking Our Best Award to Bojangles of Farmville. Loeser also announced the New Business of the Year Award that went to The Virginia Tasting Cellar.
The Uptown Coffee Café was named Business of the Year. “Uptown is a place we’ve all come to know and love,” Loeser added.
Chamber Executive Director Joy Stump introduced the Member of the Year Award winner Kerry Mossler. “Kerry is a remarkable Chamber member because as busy as she is, she still finds the time to contribute,” Stump said. “She works on committees, serves as an ambassador, visits chamber members and helps to recruit new members.”
Chamber Vice Chair Brad Watson welcomed members and guests before presenting Audrey Sullivan with the Citizen of the Year Award. “Audrey, founder of Red Door 104, has been on a creative mission for over 20 years,” Watson said. “She’s done a Familiar With Farmville art show showcasing local artists, sponsored the Virginia Children’s Book Festival, held SPCA fundraisers, and assisted Piedmont Senior Resources, Farmville Downtown Partnership, Waterworks Players and the Heart of Virginia Festival.” Sullivan also developed an art internship program with Longwood University and started an art scholarship for underprivileged children. “Her impact has been felt by many in our community,” Watson said.
A special Chamber award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Nancy Anderson Haga. “Those of us in the business world gravitat
e toward numbers, so let’s start with that for tonight’s honoree,” Watson said. “Nancy has been on the Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad for 33 years and gone on an estimated 2,500 calls. She taught speech, communications and debate 43 years at Longwood and Prince Edward Academy/Fuqua School, helping an estimated
13,000 students speak in public.” Watson added that Haga taught swimming for the Red Cross and Longwood for 25 years teaching about 1,500 people to swim.
“If we had a team of Service to Others, we’d be retiring the jersey of Dr. Nancy Anderson Haga tonight,” Watson concluded. “We don’t have a jersey, but we do have this award for a community leader who has done so much to make Farmville a better and kinder place.”
Following the award presentation, members and guests enjoyed dancing with En ‘Novation, light hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Twenty-three local businesses sponsored the event.
