Nine to be honored from across the Meramec Region
ST. JAMES—Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will be presenting nine volunteer awards at its Annual Dinner on Oct. 24 at Osage View in Linn. Each year, MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time, talents and give support to their communities.
Individuals and community organizations being recognized by MRPC for 2024 contributions to their communities are:
- Tracy Staples, nominated by Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Steve Black;
- Fraternal Order of Eagles – 4340 Aerie, Vienna, Mo, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman;
- Ava Kloeppel, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman;
- Ashley Harris, nominated by MRPC Board Member Steve Vogt;
- Stan Podorski, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson;
- Brice Mobray, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson;
- Chrysa Niewald, nominated by MRPC Board Member Kevin McFadden;
- Dashayla Bean, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson; and
- The Old Stagecoach Stop Foundation, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson.
The public is invited to attend the event in Linn. The deadline for reservations is Sept. 26, 2024.
Jan Haviland, owner of Haviland Corporation, is offering a facility tour starting at 4:45. A reception at Osage View will follow the tour. The reception is sponsored by Darryl and Corliss Griffin, Archer-Elgin, Legends Bank – Linn and the City of Linn, and begins at 5:30 p.m. Dinner, catered by Annie’s Station, will be served buffet style at 6:30 p.m. with a program and awards presentation following. Dinner will be Annie’s glazed grilled chicken, roast beef, loaded mashed potatoes, green beans, garden salad, dollar rolls, cheesecake and German chocolate cake.
The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner for 2024. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient is kept secret until announced at the Annual Dinner.
Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as MRPC chair. A professional staff of 30, led by Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
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