STURGIS — The Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday recognized its members through the annual chamber awards dinner.

The ceremony recognized the membership's work and contributions to the community. The master of ceremonies Tom Duke, kept the audience entertained with humor and stories in between the issuing of several plaques. He was joined at the podium by Roxanne Persing, who is in her second year as chamber director.

The first award recognized outgoing 2022 chamber president Matt Scheske, who thanked the audience for their support.

The rest of the evening was dedicated to the presentation of awards. The 2022 honorary board member award went to Leonard Eishen, who served as chamber president in the early 1980s. The Phoenix Award was given to The Sparrow House, accepted by Libby Hooley.

The Outstanding Customer Service award was given to Maria's Mexican Restaurant

Barry Lindblom, owner of Meyer Automotive Service, was named the 2022 recipient of the the Outstanding Community Service award.

The chamber's 2022 Ambassador of the Year awards went to Emily Stemen and Nick West.

Bret Hamlin, the chamber president, through a pre-recorded video presentation, thanked the board and the leadership, whom he called "rock stars."

"We wouldn't exist without you; we exist because of you," he said to the members.

The chamber currently has 268 members, up 25 from last year. Hamlin said that, emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the chamber is highly focused on helping its membership "promote, direct and grow" business.

"I love the direction we're going and we're going to keep moving ahead full-steam," Hamlin said. "We're dedicated to you."

Persing thanked the attendees for their support over the past year and for helping the chamber look toward the future.

"We're growing tremendously," Persing said.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis chamber dinner recognizes members