Awards, certificates to new businesses
County Chamber of Commerce honors three
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Ripley County Chamber of Commerce elected members to the board of directors, recognized new businesses, and awarded plaques to outstanding persons at their annual meeting and awards dinner on Thursday, September 9, at the Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School Cafeteria.

In announcing the award winners for 2004, Cathy May presented plaques to Ken Hornbach, educator of the year; Stephen Youngman, business person of the year; and Phyliss Hafft, citizen of the year.

May noted that Hornbach, an English and Spanish teacher at Milan High School, had received numerous accolades from the faculty and staff at Milan.

"In his 31 years of teaching at Milan, his peers say he reaches out to his students, encourages them, and has instilled a life-long desire to learn in hundreds of students. His message is, 'Every individual is responsible for his or her own success or failure.'"

Hornbach graduated from Marian College with a Bachelor of Science Degree and received his Master's Degree from Xavier University. In addition to his class load, Hornbach served as assistant football coach for 15 years and presently helps to coach the academic and spell bowl teams.

In Academic Super Bowl competition, the Milan High School Academic Team won state honors this past spring in several disciplines.

As 2004 Business Person of the Year, Stephen Youngman owns and operates Youngman's Service Station in Napoleon, "following in the footsteps of his father and his uncles in providing superior customer service."

According to May, "Youngman exemplifies what consumers expect of business owners."

Noting that he picks up and delivers vehicles in all kinds of weather and works in unexpected emergencies, May said, "He does this all with a smile and a thank you. He is not
only a good business person; he is a good neighbor."

As 2004 Citizen of the Year, Phyliss Hafft of Versailles received commendation for the many hours she has devoted to helping others who have been stricken with cancer.

A breast cancer survivor of more than 30 years, Hafft has served as the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery volunteer and has counseled many women after breast can
cer surgery and treatment.

She has also been a part of a breast cancer support group at Margaret Mary Hospital and a "Tell a Friend" coordinator for Ripley County. For several terms she served as president of the Ripley County Unit, American Cancer Society.

Hafft is a member of the Versailles Baptist Church, where she has taught the older adult Sunday School class for many years, served as church treasurer, a member of the adult choir, and a church pianist. Even with the return of cancer the past few years, she continues to teach the Sunday School class and participate in women's missionary work.

Chamber President Shirley Franklin welcomed new members into the organization and presented certificates to the following: A Hearing Service, Busch Landscaping, Eight Leg Web Management, E-Z Rent to Own, Gilpin Monuments & Signs, Guenther Law Office, Howard's Basket & Soap.

Also, Lonneman Drywall, Nebulas Group, Inc., Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., Ripley County Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, Second Best Treasures, Tan & Tone, Tom's Reproductions, Tyson School Apartments, Victorian & Lace, Wiedeman Heating & Electric, and Wood Perfections.

President Franklin also welcomed State Representative Cleo Duncan as a new member of the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce.
Elected to the 2005-2007 Class of Board of Directors were Gene Feith, Bill Foster, David Baugh, Darla Westerfeld, Marianne Wiggers, and Pat McKittrick.

In introducing speaker William "Gus" Moorhead, Marianne Wiggers said he was a long-time educator, having coached 17 years and served as principal of South Ripley Jr.-Sr. High School for 23 years, a resident of Versailles for over 50 years, and the father of four children, all of whom are public school principals.

Moorhead's speech applied special sayings he likes to best practices in both business and athletics. Using his years of experience, he talked about the value of organization, communication, hard work, and positive thinking.

"Communication is a great part of success in both business and athletics," he told the audience.

Prior to the turkey dinner served by Lois Lunsford and the cafeteria staff of the elementary school, Wilbur Myers gave the invocation.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Honored as recipients of the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce 2004 plaques are Educator of the Year Ken Hornbach, Citizen of the Year Phyliss Hafft, and Business Person of the Year Stephen Youngman. All three were recognized at the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting awards dinner on Thursday, September 9, at the Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School Cafeteria. The three will ride in the Pumpkin Show Parade in Wilbur Myers' convertible.