The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the Boat House Wine Co.
Toni Hill, Superintendent of Bloomfield Schools, and a Chamber Board Member, was unable to attend the awards banquet. Mrs. Casey Karnes, middle school principal at Bloomfield Schools, filled in last minute, and presented the Educator of the Year Award.
After moving back to Missouri after an eighteen year stint in Wyoming, Stephanie Young, decided to return to college to obtain her education degree.
However the first hurdle, besides two young children and a long commute daily, was taking the entrance exam into the education program. Standing in line with all the babies fresh out of high school she had never felt so out of place. But clutching her freshly sharpened #2 pencils and an ID that had a birthday significantly preceding any of the people in that line, she forged onward. That led to her education degree after a year and half and the rest is now history.
Stephanie did her student teaching in Sikeston for one block and Bloomfield for the other. After teaching in Bloomfield she decided that the Bloomfield School District was the only place she wanted to work and applied only to Bloomfield. She was working as a rural mail carrier when she received a call about an interview. The day she interviewed was particularly hot and dusty on the route, but fortunately they saw through the pigpen appearance and she received a job offer to teach third grade.
Stephanie spent 18 years teaching third grade and fully expected to retire from that grade level when she received an invitation to teach 6th grade math and science. She planned on turning it down as teaching middle school was akin to war only with more hormones. After much thought and prayer she decided to take the position and was rewarded with a renewed sense of purpose and discovered she loved middle school. She taught 6th grade for 3 years and is currently working as an Interventionist which allows her to work many different grade levels, students, and teachers. She hopes that the students she has had over the years have good memories for the statement "Children won't always remember what you taught them but they will always remember how you made them feel" rings true.
Stephanie currently resides in Dexter although her husband is pushing for Florida. She is married to Jeremiah Young, has two adult daughters and three wonderful grandchildren ages 13, 5 and 1.
Congratulations Stephanie Young, Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year!
The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the Boat House Wine Co.
Amy Haas, Chamber President, presented the 2021 Farm Family of the Year Award.
"Four Generations! That’s a long time! Especially for a whole family to be working together, most people can't even imagine that? This family has been running their operations right here in Bloomfield for four generations and they are still going strong. What a huge accomplishment!!"
"It all began in 1977 when Clellan Stewart, along with his boys, C.D and Gale established CCG Farms. Later in 1988, C.D. and Gale added a second farming entity called Stewart and Stewart farms. Then, their sons Brandon, Collin and Blaine joined the family farm business by establishing Stewco Farms in 2010. Together, this family, and its employees, farm around 7000 acres of soybeans, corn, wheat and rice. The family's most recent addition to the business is Heritage Rice Company which was started in 2020. The family began this business by milling and bagging their own rice. This is a farm to table operation and it is exciting to see their rice at some of our local stores."
"This family, which includes the guys on the farm, their wives, and children have sacrificed so much to ensure they provide excellent products and good food for our tables. Four Generations of farming is a commitment that many would not be willing to make. We know real farming is not an 8-5 job but it consist of long days and late-nights, missing holidays and family gatherings because it's time for a crop to go in or come out and they are trying to beat the weather. These few words don't begin to tell what this family does or tell you what good people they are. We want you to know that your sacrifice is appreciated more than you can imagine. The difference you make and what your family brings to Bloomfield does not go unnoticed. Thank you for what your family has given to this community and an even bigger thank you for providing security to the people you employ."
"With that, I am honored to announce CCG Farms, also known as The Stewart Family, as this year’s Farm Family of the year."
The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the Boat House Wine Co.
Karen Griffin, Bloomfield Chamber Board Member, presented the Man of the Year Award.
Every year at this time we pause and look at our community to see a fitting person to honor as Man of the Year. This man has served the City of Bloomfield diligently in several areas of our community.
He has served as Stoddard County Road District Commissioner Board for over 10 years and Housing Authority Board Member for over 1 year.
This man spent several weeks and months a year in making the Bloomfield Country Club what it is today. His work on the golf course has made it one of the premier 9-hole courses in Southeast Missouri.
The other service which stands out in his undying work is on our our City Park Board. He has served on the Park Board for about 30 years. He has volunteered his time, has went above and beyond through the years taking it upon himself to fix things at the park, clean and pick up daily, worked tirelessly on every aspect of the park as well. Rain, snow, etc., did not stop him from his dedication to keeping our park and amenities working and keeping it very clean.
Bathrooms were always opened early morning and closed by him late at night. His service to our park was all volunteer without any pay. Our park would not be what it is today without the dedication and love for it by this man.
He is also very dedicated and committed to the First Baptist Church and his family, wife Mary Ann Allen, of 48 years and two children, Jennifer Waggoner and Jonathan Allen as well as three grandchildren. He is a very dedicated man to his friends and community.
The Man of the year is Kenneth Allen. Ken had decided to retire from the park board in December, but he still calls and checks in on the park board. He has done an amazing amount for work for our town!
The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the Boat House Wine Co.
Janis Traughber, Chamber Board Member, presented the Woman of the Year Award.
"After narrowing down who will receive an award, we go to friends and family to get additional information about the award recipient. This year we asked this next recipient’s friend what her occupation is and she immediately responded with “seriously, put down Professional Volunteer” and If you were to ask this recipient directly, she will give you the same answer.
"Our next award goes to someone who has volunteered her time so much in the community that she has become a professional at it. She began her volunteering career back in college when joining Alpha Phi Omega, which was a service sorority. She is now Vice President of the Bloomfield High School Alumni Association, Vice President of Bloomfield Parent’s as Teachers, has directed numerous church Christmas programs and has led 10 years of Vacation Bible School at Trinity United Baptist Church of Bloomfield. She has a deep love for children and has been instrumental in leading them to Christ with all the work she does teaching at church."
"This recipient has a huge and generous heart. She is always willing to help others and jumps right in without thinking twice. She truly has been a blessing to so many in our community through the years."
Congratulations Tracey Tippen as Woman Of The Year.
The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the Boat House Wine Co.
Dee Loflin, Chamber Board Member presented the City of Bloomfield Personnel of the Year.
"In 2011 the city hired a new face for the position of water clerk. That decision has proven to be a wise one.
In 2012 this same employee was offered the position of City Clerk. It has been assuring to walk into that office and see that same reliable person for the past 11 years. If you are able to attend any city meetings, or just step into City Hall, you would be quick to recognize this person. She is an asset to our city and is the go-to person for answers.
Time does not permit me to share in detail the job description of our City Clerk, and even if I tried, that description is always evolving. One of her most recent accomplishments was applying for and receiving the $20,000 Donation from Nestle Purina for construction of an Animal Shelter.
The faces we most associate with our City offices might be the mayor and alderman but without their “right hand woman” our City Clerk, I am sure they would tell you they would be at a great disadvantage. We haven’t seen everything that's been happening behind the scenes for the past 11 years, but we know our city is better and stronger because of the quality work she has provided.
At this time, we want to give honor to Kari Standley as the City of Bloomfield Personnel of the Year and convey our most sincere thanks for being so dedicated to her position and the City of Bloomfield. Our city is better because of her and we hope to have her for many more."
Pictured are Dee Loflin, Amy Haas, Chamber President, Kari Standley, and Herman Mores, 151st Mo State Representative.
