October 29 , 2020 The Beacon • 15

Coshocton County Chamber hosts virtual awards ceremony

Chamber of Commerce had to make the tough decision to cancel its annual chamber dinner this year , but it wanted to still honor the winners for 2020 with a virtual awards video .

The Employee of the Year was presented by Coshocton Rotary President Christy Guarke to Carol Hadrosky , Peoples Bank , and Barbara Karr , Coshocton County Clerk of Courts .

The Young Leader of the Year was presented by Dr . John Berry , president of Central Ohio Technical College , to Jandi Adams , director of Clary Gardens . Curtis Lee , Coshocton County commissioner , presented the First Responders Award to Jon Mosier .

Kirby Hasseman , vice president of the board and CEO of Hasseman Marketing , presented the Coshoctonian Award to Tom Edwards , owner / CEO of Auer Ace Hardware . The Coshoctonian Award recognizes an individual ’ s long-term contribution to the well-being and economic climate of the community . The recipient must be a resident of Coshocton

County , and the award recognizes the totality of a person ’ s contribution to the community during his or her lifetime . There have been no posthumous awards .

Edwards is a man of service . From the Army , to city council , to a Rotarian who exemplifies “ service above self ,” he has lived his life in the service of others . In addition to running Auer Ace Hardware , Edwards ’ resume also includes board member of the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce , board member of Coshocton County Port Authority , Coshocton Foundation Distribution Committee , the Coshocton Rotary Club , board member of Kids America , eight years on Coshocton City Council and an adjunct at COTC .

“ When you look at this woefully incomplete list ( sorry , there just isn ’ t time ), you might wonder why an entrepreneur and business owner would take all of this time to serve his community ,” Hasseman said during his speech about Edwards . “ You might wonder , but I actually asked him . Tom said , ‘ It ’ s pretty simple . You have to take care of the golden goose .

Submitted Kirby Hasseman , vice president of the board and CEO of Hasseman Marketing , presented the Coshoctonian Award to Tom Edwards , owner / CEO of Auer Ace Hardware .

Coshocton County is our golden goose . If you stop taking care of the goose , it stops laying golden eggs . Each of us has the chance to care for our golden goose . We just need to step up and do it .’”

Amy Crown , executive director of the chamber of commerce , was pleased they could find a way to honor these community leaders . “ We are happy that our virtual awards ceremony can help us to recognize these welldeserved winners ,” she said . “ We very much look forward to being back together for the 2021 annual chamber dinner that will take place on Friday , Sept . 10 , 2021 .”