3 honored at chamber luncheon
NEW BREMEN — Two individuals and one local business were honored in front of their peers at a luncheon on Tuesday afternoon.
Brian and Steph Alig, Casey Rammel and Minster Local Schools Superintendent Brenda Boeke were all award winners at the annual luncheon held at Faith Alliance Church by the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce.
Owners of Speedway Lanes in New Bremen, Brian and Steph Alig were recipients of the Community and Business Pride Award, or Business of the Year.
The Aligs were nominated for their work to “provide a space that is open and welcoming to the entire community.”
During the COVID-19 shutdown, the Aligs took the time to do a major remodel to the bowling alley which included a new ceiling, installing LED lighting throughout the entire building and adding tile flooring to the kitchen and storage areas.
“Affectionately known as ‘The BA,’ Speedway Lanes has been one place to provide a space for community folks to gather, for obvious reasons of entertainment, delicious food and drinks,” Chamber Director Sara Topp read from the nomination letter. “Especially in the last two years, it’s been a place where people can gather just to be together in times of celebration and in tragedy. They also provide ample space for groups to hold meetings, work to create special meals for families, local groups, companies, get-togethers and special occasions. Brian and Steph truly care about the surrounding community and put in lots of hours to ensure a safe, fun and welcoming home to everyone.”
While Brian was unable to attend on Tuesday, Topp pre
sented the Aligs with their award last week at the New Bremen-New Knoxville Rotary Club meeting at the bowling alley.
The second award of the luncheon for Outstanding Business Person of the Year was given to Casey Rammel, owner of Champion Nutrition in New Bremen, which opened its doors last summer.
“She has shown generosity and compassion by going above and beyond the short time her shop has been open to support a variety of local causes,” said Topp. “She frequently features specials drinks and donates a portion of profits to a local family or organization. She truly cares not only for the members of the New Bremen community, but all the surrounding communities as well.”
Some of the recent causes Rammel has helped include: the New Bremen Firemen’s Picnic, the Wuebker Memorial Playground at Carthagena Park, the family of Ryan Lageman, Benson
Family house fire assistance, the Tri Star Eternal Scholarship, the Puthoff Boys Educational Fund, the Ukrainian Family Relocation Efforts, New Bremen and New Knoxville School Scholarship Funds and Teacher Appreciation Week.
“It is evident how Casey runs her business and treats her customers and employees,” said Topp. “She is an extremely caring person who always looks for ways to be supportive and helps make the community a better place.”
The final award of the day — the Special Achievement Award — was given to Minster Local Schools Superintendent Brenda Boeke.
Boeke has served as school superintendent since 2011 and served as the elementary school principal for 14 years, from 1997 to 2011.
In her first year as superintendent, Boeke oversaw the closure of the former Hanover Street elementary building and consolidation of staff and equipment down from three buildings to two, and on her watch, Minster implemented all-day, everyday kindergarten in the school year of 2012 to 2013 and oversaw the high school renovation project from 2017 to 2019.
“During this time, faculty and staff were continually surprised by her construction know-how and the ability to read blueprints. We think she may have missed her true calling in construction management,” Topp said. “During her tenure, both of the buildings were designated as Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Brenda was instrumental in completing the necessary application work for each building. She has been a leading advocate for local control of education and deregulation at the state level. She is in frequent contact with lawmakers and has testified several times during legislative sessions. Brenda is, and forever will be, a passionate advocate for each student, especially those with special needs.”
Boeke will retire as school superintendent this July.
Also new this year was the decal design contest for the chamber.
Topp said that she reached out to New Bremen Local Schools Technology Director Brian Puthoff to see if they had any classes that could help.
Puthoff and Shannon Heckman implemented the idea into their interactive media class.
“This was a real-life experience for them, as well to being able to design and let us critique,” said Topp. “We ended up having 15 designs to choose from.”
After consideration, the contest was narrowed down to two final design choices, and New Bremen senior Lydia Heckman’s design was chosen.
Topp said she would like to rotate this between Minster, New Bremen and New Knoxville schools in the future.
Also on Tuesday, St. Marys Police Chief Jake Sutton was given a standing ovation following his presentation prior to the awards ceremony.
Sutton talked about leadership and what it takes to be a good leader, using examples and lessons from books to talk about his own experiences in his life and career.