Lancaster, Joslyn Honored at Chamber Centennial Banquet

(THE WORK OF ART COMPLETED BY JAMIE STANG AS THE CHAMBER CENTENNIAL BANQUET BEGAN SATURDAY NIGHT)

Tod Lancaster has been honored as 2017 Effingham Citzen of the Year while Ken Joslyn is the recipient of the 2017 Effingham Volunteer of the Year Award.

The honors were presented at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce Centennial Banquet Saturday night at the Thelma Keller Convention Center.

(TOD LANCASTER WITH EFFINGHAM DAILY NEWS PUBLISHER DARRELL LEWIS)

The Citzen of the Year Award is sponsored by the Effingham Daily News, while the Effingham and Teutopolis News Report sponsors the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Lancaster received the award while serving as Master of Ceremonies of the event. The irony was rich as Lancaster had just talked about the prestigiousness of the Citzen of the Year Award before Daily News Publisher Darrell Lewis began listing the attributes that earned Lancaster the award.

In accepting the award, an obviously overwhelmed Lancaster, who had no idea he was to be the recipient, reflected on the decision by he and wife Marge to make Effingham their home more than 30 years ago and to get involved in the community in a significant way. Many of Lancaster's siblings from other states came to join Marge and their daughters in surprising Tod.

Lancaster was recognized for his work on behalf of the Chamber, his support of the referendum that led to the construction of Effingham High School, his work in First Presbyterian Church and a host of other volunteer endeavors.

As for Joslyn, News Report Publisher Steve Raymond said he was glad to hold the banquet on Saturday night because that meant church the next day when he could make amends for telling Joslyn "a whopper" to get him to the event.

(VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR KEN JOSLYN WITH EFFINGHAM AND TEUTOPOLIS NEWS REPORT PUBLISHER STEVE RAYMOND)

Joslyn was recognized for a host of volunteer activities, but chief among them his work on behalf of the library at Central School where he helps and encourages the over 600 students at the school to read.  Joslyn is also known as "The Candyman" at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital where he keeps the gift shop stocked with candy and gum.

Joslyn, a long-time employee of the Daily News, was also active for years in the Effingham High School Band Boosters and for his work at First Presbyterian Church; all in all, a good night for the Presbyterians.

(TOM WRIGHT OF WRIGHT'S FURNITURE AND FLOORING)

Two local businesses were honored with Excellence in Business Awards. This year's recipients were Wright's Furniture and Flooring and Stevens Industries. Tom Wright accepted on behalf of the Wright family, while Company President Todd Wegman accepted on behalf of Stevens.

(2017 CHAMBER BOARD CHAIRMAN MEL STOCK PRESENTS AN EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD FOR STEVENS INDUSTRIES PRESIDENT TODD WEGMAN)

A host of special touches marked the Chamber Centennial celebration, including a birthday cake crafted by Homebuilders Plus that will be featured throughout the year at various events including a big summertime celebration around 4th of July weekend. Many of those working on the Centennial observance wore period clothing to Saturday night's event.