CEDAR CITY – The Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce recognized 12 businesses, individuals and organizations at its 59th annual “Night of Excellence” awards and installation banquet at the Crystal Inn last Thursday.

The awards are a yearly tradition, and this year they solicited help from the community in choosing the winners, and received nominations for 11 awards. After Rocky Mountain Power told the Chamber to use a mistakenly-sent check for the event, another award was created, and the winner was chosen by Chamber Executive Director and CEO Scott Jolley.

He presented the award to Iron County, and called Tourism Bureau Director Maria Twitchell, Economic Development Director Brennan Wood, and County Commissioners Lois Bulloch, Wayne Smith and Alma Adams to the podium to receive their statue.

Jolley said they had earned the recognition by their continuous work to make Iron County a better place to live, work and visit.

The banquet included a meal, provided by Bard’s Food and Drink Establishment, presentation of awards, and the installation of new Chamber President Chris McCormick and new Chamber of Commerce board members.

Past-President Zurl Thornock passed the gavel to McCormick after briefly speaking about his term. He said the Chamber moved in April and enhanced its SUU partnership, had its first economic summit, and welcomed nearly 100 new members.

“We’ve made some great strides,” he said.

McCormick thanked Thornock and said he “navigated us through a pretty tough time.”

“We’re really excited about 2010,” he said.

SUU Theatre Department Interim Co-chair Peter Sham moved the program along, and representatives from sponsoring businesses presented the winners with awards resembling the Oscar statue.

A video highlighting the winners was played as they received their awards, and Jolley said the video had been done by Mishap Studios.

One award-winner, Kal Kahler, received a standing ovation as he stood at the podium. Kahler is a World War II veteran, and is involved with the Marine Corps League, the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District, and other organizations. He was named Senior Citizen of the Year.

“I am awe-stricken by being considered for this award … and I’m humbled greatly too,” he said.

Stephanie Summers received the Young Citizen of the Year honor, and Dr. Brian Tavioan, who sponsored the award, said there were many there that night who had accomplished much, but most of them were on the more “mature” end of the spectrum, and Somers achievements were impressive at her young age.

She was a member of Enoch’s Youth City Council, had made recycling presentations in several Iron County communities, had completed many college credits in high school, among other things, and was joining the Marine Corps in February, according to the video.

Ron Heaton of State Bank of Southern Utah presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Robert Corry, who has contributed to Cedar City since moving here in the 1970s. He has influenced countless lives through his medical practice and through his service as Cedar High girls’ track and cross country coach. Heaton said the award could not go to a more deserving person.

Other winners were Conrad Aitken, Educator of the Year; Pam Branin, Woman of the Year; Nate Esplin, Man of the Year; Gene Hotinger, Citizen of the Year; Cedar City Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Business of the Year; State Bank of Southern Utah, Customer Service of the Year; Crystal Inn, Tourist/Travel; and Cedar City Lions Club, Organization of the Year.

Sponsors included Wells Fargo, SBSU, Zions Bank, State Farm Insurance (Sherrie Hansen and Suzette Cardon), Star Sign and Banner, Dr. Brian Tavoian, Kolob Regional Care & Rehabilitation, Allstate Insurance (Mark Nelson and Mike Haight), SUU, Dan Roberts Coldwell Banker, and Rocky Mountain Power.