Businesses honored at chamber luncheon
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

At the 7th Annual Business Recognition Luncheon sponsored by the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, Cathy May emceed the event, saying, "One of the reasons for the luncheon is to allow businesses in the community to network with others."

Ten of the forty-one new businesses were represented at the luncheon and received certificates from the chamber. They were congratulated for being business owners and were able to talk with other business owners who were also in attendance last Thursday, May 20, at the Napoleon Community Center at noon.

Recognized as the Business of the Year, was Red Bird Services, located in Osgood. The company's general manager, Gene Feith, is an active chamber member and is also instrumental in helping with community events.

Red Bird Services moved its operation to Osgood in 1988, and according to Feith, "they've never been sorry." Nineteen employees make the operation a smooth one as they serve over 1800 customers in the United States and have recently expanded into Canada. Testing kits for quality control are manufactured by the environmental company, which include test kits for the medical field, Red Cross, diagnostics, citric testing, wine industry, petroleum, water, wastewater and more.

"Red Bird Services management has been totally committed to Ripley County. The volunteer time given from management and employees to organizations is unparalleled," concluded May, who said it was an honor to give the Business of the Year award to this company, and recognize them for their accomplishments.

May noted that the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce is a busy organization and many plans are in place for the summer. Those plans include:
· a golf outing on June 16, at Pine Hills Golf Course

· a Walk/Run on June 26, which will be held in conjunction with the Versailles Lions Bar-B-Que on the Square at Versailles;

· and the Fourth Annual Chamber Family Night at the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park in Osgood, where the evening will end with fireworks. This will be held on July 2.

May also said the Meet Your
Candidate Night was successful in the spring and one is being planned for the fall before the election.

The chamber is growing and anyone who is interested in becoming a part or learning more about upcoming activities may call the office at 689-6654.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Employees of Red Bird Services gathered for a photo after the company was honored as Business of the Year recipient from the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce at their 7th Annual Business Recogntion Luncheon held at the Napoleon Community Center last Thursday, May 20. Pictured from left are: Dwight Hall, Bobby Johnston, Gene Feith, Allen Hall, Kim Schwering, Paul Brandon, and Wanda Williams.