Merrill Chamber announces Businesses of the Year

The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of their 2012 Businesses of the Year awards at their annual dinner held on Oct. 11 at the Eagles Club of Merrill.
Each year business members of the chamber nominate and vote on businesses of the year in four different categories and the winners are announced at the chamber’s annual dinner held in October. This year’s awards were presented by Chamber President Gail Bloch and Executive Director Debbe Kinsey.
The 2012 Businesses of the Year by category are: Large Business of the Year is Church Mutual Insurance presented to Mike Ravn, CEO; Mid-sized Business of the Year is Park City Credit Union presented to Val Mindak, President; Small Business of the Year is Brickner’s Park City presented to Jim and Maria Brickner, Owners; and Hometown Business of the Year is Merrill Ace Hardware presented to Tim and D’Lacey Haight, Owners.
In addition, the Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Kaili Schaupp who represents Lincoln Community Bank. 
The chamber also unveiled the winning painting for their 2nd Annual Very Merrill Christmas Card and introduced the artist Ted Nicholson. This year’s painting depicts a retro-scene of Merrill’s historic Old City Hall building and their annual Christmas parade with Santa riding on a fire truck. Nicholson was also the winning artist of the chamber’s holiday card last year.
The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce was established in 1911 and has continually served Merrill businesses for 101 years. For information on chamber programs contact them at (715) 536-9474 or visit them on the web at www.merrillchamber.org