Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony at the Assembly of God Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Several awards were announced including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Farm Family of the Year Award.
The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year was awarded to Vaneta Hendley-King, James and Joe Hendley family.
The King-Hendley Farm is one of only a few Stoddard County Century Farms. This means the farm has been in operation by the same family for at least one hundred years.
The Hendley family came to southeast Missouri in the 1840’s and Henry M. Hendley served in the Civil War as a Confederate soldier. Today four generations are involved in the operation: Mrs Vaneta Hendley-King is the mother of James, James is the father of Joe and Tyler.
Joe has five children and the older ones enjoy helping with chores. Tyler is studying to be a minister, so the time he is actively engaged in the operation is limited at the present time.The family raises Black Angus cattle, a great deal of hay and row crops on about 1200 acres. Mrs. King has a fish pond that is open to the public.
Since James’ wife Fran retired from the Bloomfield School System, she has become a beekeeper; she also spends several weeks each year in Georgia where she and her sister have a farm partnership.
Joe’s wife Kathy has recently become a farm appraiser for Progressive Farm Credit Services.
Mrs. King is a member of the Bloomfield General Baptist Church, James and Fran are members of Bloomfield Trinity United Church, Joe and Kathy are members of the Advance Methodist Church and Tyler and his wife are serving God in the St. Louis area where he will soon complete his study to be a minister.
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony at the Assembly of God Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Several awards were announced including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Farm Family of the Year Award.
The Bloomfield Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Evelyn and Gerald Griffin.
Graduated from Bell City High School, but have lived in Bloomfield for a great deal of their adult life.
Their Corporation has provided employment for many Stoddard County residents.
Several years ago Gerald and Evelyn made improvements to the historic Buck Store Building; they have supported several area churches and helped fund the purchase of the street lights on the courthouse square.
They were instrumental in the establishment of (BANC) Bloomfield Area Nutrition Center that provides meals for the Bloomfield community every Wednesday.Presenting the award is Jim Mayo to Evelyn and Gerald Griffin.
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony at the Assembly of God Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Several awards were announced including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Farm Family of the Year Award.
The Bloomfield Educator of the Year is Ann Bye.
Ann Bye is a 1971 graduate of Bloomfield High School.
As the district Girl Scout Field Director, Ann trained volunteers who work with troops throughout southeast Missouri. She also served as the director of the Girl School Camp at Lake Wappapello.
She taught in three different school district before coming to Bloomfield as a Title One teacher, Cabool, Scott Central and Leopold. She also taught junior high language arts and high school English during 16 years with Bloomfield Schools.
She has been the Beta Club Sponsor and has taken a group of students to the National Convention after winnings at the district and state level each year she has been sponsor. Students have also been successful under her leadership as the Speech Team Sponsor.
Ann has devoted a great deal of time to the Volleyball program at Bloomfield High School, serving as bookkeeper for the games. She has serves as the secretary of the Community Teachers Association. After19 years in the education field, Ann will be retiring at the end of this school year.
She is an active member of First Baptist Church and the Bloomfield Chapter #385 Eastern Star.
Presenting the Bloomfield Chamber Educator of the Year award is Mrs. Toni HIll, Superintendent of Bloomfield School District.
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony at the Assembly of God Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Several awards were announced including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Farm Family of the Year Award.
The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year is David Morse.
David is a 1973 graduate of Bloomfield High School and has an Ag Business degree from Southeast Missouri University where he was graduated with honors.
He has attended the Beech Grove General Baptist Church his entire life where he has serves for several years as a deacon and also plays the piano.
He was the contractor for building a new worship center and a fellowship hall. He now is restoring one of Bloomfield’s historic homes.
He is always willing to help someone in a time of need.
Pictured are Goldie DeGroot, Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce President, presenting Morse with the Man of the Year Award and resolutions from State Representative Tila Hubrecht and Senator Doug Libla.
Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony at the Assembly of God Church on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
Several awards were announced including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, and Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Farm Family of the Year Award.
The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year is Mrs. Laura Meyer.
Laura is a 1985 graduate of Bloomfield High School. She served several months as a volunteer at the Stars and Stripes Museum/Library before becoming a paid employee.
As curator at the museum, she has enhanced many of the exhibits; set up the Museum’s Facebook Page and improved the website.
She organized Liberty Days and Trivia Night, fundraisers for the museum. She has enlisted several businesses and individuals to make improvements to the barn on the Stars and Stripes Museum property.
She is serving as secretary-treasurer of the Stoddard County Historical Society and has recruited several new members.
She is a also a member of the Bloomfield Women’s Club, the Bloomfield of Chamber of Commerce and the Crowley Ridge Black Powder Club.
Laura is very active as a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church.
Shown in the photo is (right) Dee Loflin, Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Board Member and 2018 Membership Drive Chairman presenting the Woman of the Year Award and Resolutions from Senator Doug Libla and MO State Representative Tila Hubrecht to (left) Laura Meyer.
