By Vince Luecke, Perry County News
TELL CITY - Annual business honors handed out Thursday recognized three Tell City businesses: a longtime grocery store, women's clothier and Main Street gift shop.
Also honored among local nonprofit organizations was United Way of Perry County.
The eighth annual business-awards ceremony sponsored by the Perry County Chamber of Commerce was held at the Schergens Center. Large Business of the Year honors went to Noble's IGA, with Celebrations owner Larky Flanagan named Entrepreneur of the Year. Maurices received the award for Small Business of the Year.
Noble's IGA was recognized for its presence in the community since 1956, one of the first local supermarkets.
"And it's still a store where someone will bag your groceries and carry them to the car," chamber Vice President Colleen Smith said in presenting the award.
She also credited the store for allowing nonprofit groups and churches to raise money by collecting store receipts.
Celebrations is a party and gift store in the 600 block of Main Street that offers name-brand items to local shoppers, said Smith, who credited owner Larky Flanagan for turning a once-vacant building into a "bright, friendly place to shop."
Clothing retailer Maurices was recognized for its offerings of fashionable, affordable clothing. Store manager Lynn Fulkerson, who accepted the award with first assistant Jamie Fulkerson, used the opportunity to quiet rumors the store would soon close.
"We're a strong company and we are not closing, but we will move locations," Lynn Fulkerson said. The store will move later this year from Plaza East to the Tell City Shopping Center across from Wal-Mart.
Other Nominations
Other businesses nominated for awards were McDonald's in the large-business category and Advanced Rehabilitation and Cromwell Radio Group in the category for small business. Additional entrepreneurship nominations went to Catholic Charities, Glenn Wood Hills Camp and Retreat and Leadership Perry County.
This year's Applause Award, given to a nonprofit organization, went to United Way of Perry County. The organization not only serves as a steward for community gifts that support community organizations, Chamber Executive Director Cheri Taylor said in presenting the honor, but spearheads projects that provide gifts and clothing to youngsters around the holidays.
Taylor said United Way's Stuff the Bus project invites the public to donate school supplies to students in several school districts and a coalition of food pantries it has helped to organize promotes those groups' work among those in need.
Evening's Speakers
Speaking during the evening was Tell City Councilman Tony Hollinden, who updated attendees on a Tell City-Perry County health initiative. A gathering March 12 at Tell City High School kicks off the program, which will continue through August. A $3 fee gets participants a T-shirt. More than 125 people have already signed up, Hollinden said.
Perry County Commissioner Gary Dauby also spoke, sharing a slideshow of early Indiana maps. Dauby pointed out that the farm Abraham Lincoln moved to in 1816 was in an area that was then part of Perry County. Spencer County wasn't formed until 1818.
Dauby also commended the work of County Highway Superintendent Ed Feix and Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Hauser, both of whom led recovery efforts after storms in September, January and February.
