NPAC, Stahl earn top Chamber awards

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio earned the prestigious Crystal Image award, while longtime volunteer Dottie Stahl was the Ray Miller Award recipient during the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner held Thursday evening.

Economic Director Nancy Bowen was also presented with a distinguished service award by Jon Rhoades for her 11-year service to the community in the area of economic development.

Chamber President/CEO Susan Munroe also provided a brief update on Chamber activities and noted that this year’s annual dinner had the highest attendance on record, with 221 people attending Thursday’s event.

The NPAC was honored for its cultural and economic impact on the community, which was emphasized by Executive Director Paul Hoverman as he accepted the award from Chamber Board Chair Eva Yarger with the statistics he provided to the capacity audience at Willow Bend Country Club (click here for more photos).

Hoverman noted that the performing arts center has gone from 11 concerts in 2007 to 27 concerts for the 2011-2012 season. He also noted that, while 71 percent of concertgoers that first season were from Van Wert County, that percentage has dropped to 34 percent as more concerts have been scheduled and more out-of-town visitors have come to Van Wert for the various shows and concerts presented at the NPAC. He also noted that those out-of-town visitors have also provided revenues for local hotels, restaurant and other local businesses.

Hoverman said credit for the NPAC’s success was not his alone, and thanked members of the Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation — the group that operates the facility — and the NPAC staff for their efforts.

The Ray Miller Award, which goes to an individual who provides exemplary service to the community, was given to Stahl, who recently retired from her position as volunteer coordinator for the Van Wert County Chapter of the American Red Cross, a volunteer job she held for 20 years.

Edie Laukhuf, Red Cross executive director, accepted the award on behalf of Stahl, who was recuperating from a recent illness.

Other awards presented during the dinner included the Milestone Award, given to businesses and organization that celebrate anniversaries, and Golden Shovel Awards, which go to businesses that complete a major building or renovation project.

Award winners are as follows:

Milestone Awards — Staffmark (15 years), Wetzel Motorcycle Club (25 years), Shutterbugg (25 years), Vantage Career Center (35 years), Federal-Mogul Corporation (70 years), and Kenney Manufacturing (100 years).

Golden Shovel Awards – Statewide Ford-Lincoln/Quick Lane Tire & Auto, Van Wert Manor, Van Wert Agricultural Society, Vancrest Health Care Center and the YMCA’s Camp Clay facility.

Van Wert native Natalie Taylor, Fox Sports Ohio sidelines reporter for the Columbus Blue Jackets, was the featured speaker for the evening (see story below) and talked about how her upbringing here was the key to her success in television.