"Community Spirit" was the theme. The Annual Awards Banquet for the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Chamber members, guests and friends at the Shewami Country Club (Wednesday).

The Professional Award was presented to the Watseka Festival Committee. The members have turned a local community fundraiser into an annual event that puts the community on the map for summer time fun. The annual festival, now calling Legion Park home, includes family fun with a carnival and kids events, along with musical entertainment. Two stages offer musical groups performing on two different nights, Friday and Saturday. The Festival fun is in late August.

The Festival Committee has several volunteers handling the event with support from the City of Watseka.

The Chamber of Commerce also honored two Staff Achievement award recipients -- Amy Schroeder of the IMH Therapy Department and Debbie Gudeman of the First Trust & Savings Bank.

Times-Republic selects Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement winners >>

Watseka resident Bill Nutter earns the Citizen-of-the-Year honors. Nutter has directed the Toys for Tots program in Iroquois County for 14 years. In 2023, the volunteer effort benefitted 750+ children.

Bonita Schroeder of Watseka was named the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. She’s been a lifetime supporter of several youth programs and a community volunteer.

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