Ilsa Minor | Daily Press The award winners from Thursday’s Annual Chamber Dinner at the Island Resort and Casino pose for a photo with their award at the end of the evening. Show are, from left, Dennis and Londe Merrill of First United Methodist Church; Bruce Moore of Highline; Ted Prati of Bark River Harris School; Jenny Gylock of the Escanaba Parks and Recreation Department; Adam and Heidi Hausler of Mr. Bike and Ski; Molly Barron and Jim McNeil of Delta Force P.I., with K-9 Delta; Delta Force program graduate Kevin Chown; Julie and Tony Lambert of Leigh’s Garden Winery; and Robert Micheau of Visit Escanaba.

Ilsa Minor | Daily Press
Members of the Delta Force class of 2023, a community leadership training program, graduated Thursday night during a ceremony at the Delta County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at the Island Resort and Casino. Delta Force participants spent the last year learning about the assets the area has to offer in areas ranging from education to industry. Members of the Delta Force class of 2023 are Amanda Freele, Amber Hanson, Amy Reddinger, Ashley Davidson, Ashley Edwardsen, Brandy Schwartz, Derek Light, Desiree Calouette, Emily Noblet, Heidi Haeusler, Ismael Lopez, Jen Rogers, Jessica Beaver, Joshua Racine, Julie Lambert, Kaili Murray, Kimberley Maloney, Lacey Crabb, Liz McCall, Mandi Jasso, Matt Valiquette, Olivia Fix, Paige Jacobs and Patricia West.

HARRIS — Music was in the air at the Island Resort and Casino Thursday for the Delta County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, a celebration of individuals and businesses that have made an impact on the community. This year, the theme of the event was “Sounds of Music.”

Following a business meeting — during which the Chamber board members gave the first award of the night, the Inspiration Award, to Deb Doyle, who is leaving the board after moret han two decades — the Delta Force class of 2023 was recognized with a graduation ceremony. Delta Force participant Julie Lambert of Leigh’s Garden Winery gave a speech about the impact of the program, which aims to increase community involvement and awareness.

“If you haven’t had the chance to go through this program and the opportunity comes up please take advantage of it. You will be amazed what we have in our bright, growing, small community already and should be excited for what’s to come in the next few short years,” said Lambert of the program.

After a brief pause for guests of the dinner to visit the buffet, the program continued with the awards portion of the night.

First on the docket was the Educational Excellence award, sponsored by the Community Foundation for Delta County. The award was presented by Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District Superintendent Doug Leisenring to Ted Prati, special education teacher at Bark River Harris School.

“My important mission, now as a teacher is to make sure the students are prepared to graduate and become successful members of the community, and any success that I’ve had in being able to do that could not be possible without the tremendous support of the Bark River Harris staff and administration and the fine professionals at the Delta-Schoolcraft ISD special education group, Lakestate Industries, and Michigan Rehabilitation Services. So as a part of that team, I’d like to say thank you and accept this for all of us,” said Prati.

The next award of the night was the Community Ambassador Award, sponsored by Peninsula Federal Credit Union. The award, which was presented to Julie and Tony Lambert of Leigh’s Garden Winery, is given to businesses and the individuals that run them that go the extra mile to make the area more appealing for travelers and, in the process, become travel destinations themselves.

“One of our sayings is ‘a rising tide lifts all ships,’ and so that’s what we’re all about at the winery, in our community, our family, is making sure that we do what we can to life everybody up because if we all thrive, we all thrive,” said Tony.

The Outstanding Delta Force Alum Award, sponsored by the Daily Press, recognizes a graduate of the Delta Force program graduate that has gone above and beyond to use the skills and connection they gained through the program to better the community. The award was presented to Kevin Chown, of the Delta Force Class of 2022, who used his expertise and contacts help bring the Northern Lights Music Fest and Keith Urban to Escanaba and to serve as the community’s tour guide for TV crews and others showcasing the area.

“It’s a program that brings us together. It helps you to find your place. It helps you to find your ‘lane,’ as I like to say, where you’re able to offer your own personal talents,” said Chown of Delta Force.

The Business Partner of the Year Award, sponsored by Visit Escanaba, was awarded to Heidi and Adam Hausler of Mr. Bike and Ski. The award recognizes individuals that make a point of working together for the betterment of the area.

“Heidi and I lived very transiently for quite awhile and the one thing that we missed the entire time was community and giving back. We wanted to be part of it. And being back now … for a few years, it’s been amazing to be accepted back in and to be shown the amount of support that we’ve been shown over the last few years,” said Adam.

The annual Century Award, sponsored by the Delta County Economic Development Alliance and U.P. Michigan Works!, recognizes a local business or organization that has become an institution in the community by continually existing for at least 100 years. This year, the award was presented to First United Methodist Church of Escanaba, which sent a group of its members to welcome each and every group of tourists coming off the cruise ships that visited Escanaba this summer. The award was accepted by Londa and Dennis Merrill on behalf of the church.

“It was a major teamwork effort from start to finish,” said Dennis. ” The folks that came off the boat, we talked to them coming and going, they were very complementary of the city of Escanaba, how pretty it looked, how clean it was, how friendly the people where that they had come in contact with. “

The Record Breaker Award, presented by the Upper Peninsula State Fair, was presented to Visit Escanaba for the introduction of the Northern Lights Music Fest.

“Thank you for supporting our organization. We will continue to work hard promoting our community and can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store,” said Jared Drown, of the Visit Escanaba Board.

The Change Maker Award, which was sponsored by Billerud and recognizes an individual who has brought about big changes in the community was awarded to the City of Escanaba Recreation Department.

“This summer, Escanaba was truly the place to be. It is the hope of the board and (Escanaba Parks and Recreation Director Kim Peterson) that we are able to continue growing many different types of activities and make them available in our community,” said Escanaba Recreation Board Member Jenny Gylock, who accepted the award.

Each year the Chamber recognizes a “Business of the Year” that has made a special impact on the community. This year, two businesses were bestowed the honor, Highline Internet and Delta Force PI.

Representing Delta Force P.I. were co-owners Jim McNeil and Molly Barron, who were joined on the stage by their bomb-sniffing canine Delta.

“Delta Force P.I. is a small business that has found a niche. It is a good example of how you don’t have to be an expert in business to get started, rather you just have to find where your skills and community needs meet and most importantly, surround yourself with the right people,” said McNeil.

For Highline, President and General Manager Bruce Moore accepted the award — with four tables of Highline staff looking on from the audience.

“This is an absolute honor for me to represent my team in accepting this award for business of the year,” said Moore, adding the company planned to invest over $200 million in the Upper Peninsula over the next three years.