The Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce decked out the Old Ptacek’s Event Center for a big tailgate party.

That was the theme of this year’s Annual Dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and attendees represented their favorite teams.

Honored at the celebration were Prescott Chiropractic as Business of the Year, Dallas Eggers as Community Member of the Year and St. Joseph Parish School music teacher Monica Laust and Prescott School District fifth grade teacher Jamie McDonough as Educators of the Year.

The event featured raffles and games and a perfect tailgate menu put on by the Ptacek’s crew. Emcee for the evening was former chamber coordinator Casey Johnson who stepped down last year but retained a seat on the board of directors. New chamber coordinator is Jasmine Westland.

Lisa Nelson handed the president’s gavel to incoming president Chad Steger. Both work at First National Bank of River Falls.

Nelson thanked volunteers for their efforts in putting together the fun evening.

“It’s a super important fundraiser for us, and I think it’s a really good, fun time with a lot of fun people,” Nelson said. “I would like to thank everyone who took part in planning this event or is working tonight. Anybody want to help next year? We’re a really fun group.”

She credited the work of Johnson over the last several years and the transition to Westland’s leadership during a busy time for the chamber.

“The job Casey did was truly amazing. She has been our coordinator for the last four years, and she will be missed. She’s not leaving us completely. Thank goodness for that,” said Nelson. “Jasmine came in during a crazy time of planning a lot of events, probably the most chaotic time there ever could have been. She did an amazing job. We are lucky to have her. She comes in with a lot of experience and great ideas. She is also very approachable. Please reach out to her if you need anything.”

Steger said a big focus of the chamber is helping to promote tourism, and he also serves as the board’s representative to the Prescott Tourism Commission.

“I facilitate between the two organizations to make sure that we’re coordinating events in Prescott that increase tourism,” he said.

It was a big year for both organizations, with several annual events in place and a brochure put together to highlight businesses and attractions. The group also has a program to help businesses holding events.

“If you’re doing anything with your business in town where you can promote tourism into the city, let us know. We have a grant program where we’ll help you fund portions of that event,” said Steger. “The plan is to get as many grant applications as we can.”

The award recipients then took center stage. Eggers has done it all for the community. He’s received a National Teaching Award, he’s a Prescott Hall of Fame member and has been named the Wisconsin Baseball Volunteer of the Year. He donates his time tirelessly to the Prescott Area Historical Society, which is his pride and joy, and he is active in the CAB Company (Crazy About Baseball). He was a founding member of the Prescott Foundation and has served on the Freedom Park Board of Directors.

Dr. Carina Patnode is in her 10^th year as owner of Prescott Chiropractic. She works alongside Dr. Marisa Hamre, Dr. Casey Webber and a dedicated staff. They were credited for their strong community roots and their commitment to wellness.

Laust came to St. Joseph’s in 1983 and is known as an excellent music teacher, but also for the diverse educational options she offers students. She has helped bring technology to the forefront of the school and has taught just about everything at the school. She was a Herb Kohl Fellowship recipient in 2018 and has been recognized as an Arts Hero by the Hastings Prescott Arts Council.

McDonough has taught in Prescott schools for 17 years and is a leader within the schools’ Professional Learning Community with innovative teaching methods. She has been involved with several community organizations as well.