The Greene County Chamber and Tourism Annual Meeting was held Friday.

The highlight of the night was the announcement that Peg Raney was the 2017 Above and Beyond the Call (ABC) Award winner. She has served as a 4-H club leader, Jefferson Area Chamber Director, a retired teacher of 26 years, and is currently serving as Jefferson Matters: Main Street Program Director, as well as secretary for Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation. She talked about what the award meant to her.

“I know who has received this award in the past. I can almost name the people. I have admired every single one of them because they have been so giving of the community. And for people to look upon that to me too, I’m just honored.”

The Chamber also recognized several businesses for their Chamber Membership Milestones. Those honored for ten years included: The Gardens Assisted Living, Country Blessings and McLaughlin Imprint and Material. Businesses that received their 25-year plaques were: Angie’s Tea Garden, Jefferson Kiwanis Club and John’s Appliance and T.V. One business has been a Chamber member for 50 years and that was Wahl-McAtee Tire and Service.

Other highlights included the slate of new Chamber Board Officers. Mike Holden is the President, Tim Pound is Vice-President and Ora Stevens is Treasurer of the Board. Holden is challenging everyone to do one thing this year.

“Instead of saying the ‘Why’s” we need to start asking ourselves and saying, ‘Why not?” And it’s one of those, to be rather blunt, either step up or shut up. You can either be part of the solutions or be part of the problem. And I believe in Greene County moving forward and let’s do it together.”

Chamber members also got to see a presentation of all of the changes the Chamber went through in 2017 with Tourism and Events Coordinator Michael Reese.