PRESCOTT – The Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated community achievements of the last year, honoring several people for exceptional commitment to making the community stronger at its annual dinner Wednesday night.

The event was held at the Old Ptacek’s Event Center, 1449 Orrin Road, and it kicked off with a social hour where attendees could bid on a variety of silent auction items and participate in contests. The dinner was sponsored by Foley Company, First National Bank, Prescott Chiropractic, Vision Source and Ptacek's IGA.

Board president Chad Steger of First National Bank opened the meeting by introducing Megan Langer of the Port of Prescott as a new member of the chamber board of directors. He also reported that the chamber was seeking business sponsors for new community banners that will adorn downtown Prescott this summer.

“We’re going to have businesses or individuals sponsor those banners. You’re going to get your name on the bottom of those,” he said.

The chamber also plans to start every-other month morning coffee meetings in February. Meetings will be held at lunch then in alternate months.

Lisa Johnson of First National Bank was honored by the chamber as the Community Person of the Year and Educator of the Year went to Emily Calabrese, who teaches kindergarten at Malone Elementary. Two surprise awards went to Langer of the Port of Prescott Hotel as Business of the Year, and outgoing longtime board member Kris Sampson of Croix Insurance received the Service Appreciation Award.

In presenting the award to Johnson, who is active in many Prescott organizations and community efforts, Steger said, “Everybody knows Lisa, and if you don’t, you’ve heard of her.”

“She’s extremely deserving of this award. She’s had a continued commitment to Prescott,” Steger said. “She’s always willing to help out. She’s always willing to pitch in. We really appreciate everything she’s done.”

In accepting the honor, Johnson said, “My dad always said you have no right to complain unless you do something about it. So, I guess this award shows I complain way too much.

“I’m so proud to live and work in Prescott. I’m thankful for what Prescott has. I’m really excited for what’s coming, especially the Coulee River Trails. I feel the reason why Prescott is so amazing is because of most of the people in this room,” said Johnson. “We have such great people and businesses in Prescott. There is a reason why people come to Prescott to buy a car, shop at our grocery store or our cute boutiques, eat or drink here. It’s because you know where else can you get such friendly, caring people.”

The educator of the year was nominated by the community and Prescott School District faculty, and Calabrese drew praise from all. In addition to teaching kindergarten, she is the Prescott High School track and field coach and also helps out with the cross country program.

Said Calabrese, “I just wanted to say thank you to the chamber for this recognition. It really does mean a lot. My husband Carl and I made Prescott our home about six years ago, and there’s truly no place that we would rather be. I love all the hats I wear with the district, whether it be teaching or coaching. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of my teammates and my colleagues at Malone Elementary and especially the administration, for being so patient with my busy schedule of teaching and coaching.

“Teaching is a difficult profession, and this last year has been especially tough in many different ways, but every ounce of time and energy that we spend helping these students learn these skills is worth it. We get to watch them become the amazing humans they are and enter the world where they can show how amazing they are and that they come from Prescott.”

The choice of The Port of Prescott as Business of the Year was an easy one, said Steger.

“By filling one of Prescott’s biggest needs, it was easy to select the business of the year. Not only did Megan Langer renovate and add to the aesthetic of downtown and the service the boutique hotel has provided is helping make Prescott a destination and not just a passthrough town,” he said. Sampson has spent decades working for and promoting Prescott.

“As we all know, Kris Sampson is very, very visible and involved in this town, and we owe her a great deal of gratitude for all the work she’s done,” board member Kimberly Braun of Lucille’s said. “We will miss her guidance and advice, her enthusiasm and knowledge, as she stepped down from the board this year to focus on the bigger picture for our community.”

Pictured are Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce annual award recipients: (from left) Service Appreciation Award winner Kris Sampson, Business of the Year Award winner Megan Langer of The Port of Prescott, Community Person of the Year Award winner Lisa Johnson and Educator of the Year Emily Calabrese. Photo by Sarah Palodichuk.

Silent auction items get the once-over at the Prescott Area Cahmber of Commerce Annual Dinner last Wednesday at the Old Patacek’s Event Center. Photo by Sarah Palodichuk.