Those who have lived in Cottage Grove for some time may be familiar with The Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. If not, the Chamber is “a voluntary association of local businesses and community leaders committed to promoting [a] tricity economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial and educational interests.” In other words, they work to engage and unite businesses located in St. Paul Park, Newport, and Cottage Grove.

Annually, The Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce takes a moment to commend people and businesses that contribute magnificence. They do this through the Evening of Excellence. This year, the President of The Chamber, Wayne Butt, hosted the ceremony on a Zoom call that was later uploaded to Youtube. To begin the night, he apologized, “Apologies to not be able to be there in person and be able to handshake and be there in person to hand these off to you but via Zoom we are going to do it remotely.”

Even with the limitations that COVID-19 placed on 2020’s Evening of Excellence, Butt remained positive. Before handing out the awards, he exclaimed, “Congratulations, well deserved everyone.”

The first individual to be recognized was The Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year. Ms. Lisa Bush is a first grade teacher at Cottage Grove Elementary School. One of her colleagues sent The Chamber a letter recommending Bush for the title. Butt read this message aloud. Bush was nominated due to her “positive, kind, patient, and happy” character. The letter went on, “‘She is animated and makes learning fun for her students…she encourages students to never give up and reminds them to use a growth mindset by reminding them they will get it even if not yet.’” It was for those reasons that Lisa Bush became 2020’s Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year. The principal at CGES, Theresa Blume, seconded Bush’s accomplishment. During the ceremony, she further illustrated Bush’s worthiness, “I have the privilege of working with Lisa… what sets Lisa apart from other educators is her incredible commitment to ensuring that every student that enters her classroom feels that their uniqueness is awesome…she recognizes and celebrates diversity among her students and families.”

After all of the wonderful attributes of the first grade teacher were revealed, she responded, “I’m blessed, truly blessed and very thankful and appreciative of the honor thank you.”

The second award that Butt presented was The Volunteer Of The Year. For 2020, Steve Dennis was selected. Dennis is the owner of Dennis Brothers Liquors as well as a second term City Council member in Cottage Grove. Butt explained that he earned this title “based on all of the volunteerism that Steve Dennis has done not just this year but all the past years.”

When it came to donating time and energy, Dennis did a variety of tasks.

See Evening of Excellence Page 2 Excellence Award

From Page 1

Outside of his career, he has participated in committees all over Cottage Grove, such as The Holiday Train Committee. In addition, he has done a lot of public speaking and has organized bagging fundraisers at Cottage Grove’s Cub Foods. After highlighting the many good deeds of Dennis, Butt voiced, “Congratulations, Steve Dennis.”

Next, Butt declared Randy Bachman The Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year. Bachman is a commercial banker at Merchants Bank here in Cottage Grove. He was nominated anonymously, but for a great reason. Butt elaborated, “They are recommending and rewarding you for the achievements within the chamber for the holiday train committee, the government affairs chair, and chamber board of directors that you currently stepped up to the plate and became the second vice president of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce.”

After being commended, Bachman expressed, “Thank you so much!”

Prior to announcing the Business Person of the Year, Butt crowned 3M as The Cottage Grove Area’s Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. Pamela Regan collected the trophy on the company’s behalf. According to Butt, this particular business deserved the award because of “all of the monetary things that 3M has done for the community”. 3M is a large and powerful corporation, yet, in 2020 they supported the community with their people and resources. Acknowledging the honor, Site Manager, Allen Chasten expressed, “…I get to do this and be a part of this on behalf of 700+ employees here, so they’re the ones that I really want to make sure get appreciated for what they do here everyday…”

Later in the evening, Mary Reimann was given The Hero Award . “‘Mary has thrown herself into supporting others this past year,’” Butt read from her letter of recommendation.

Throughout 2020, Reimann did many benevolent and heroic things within Newport, St. Paul Park, and Cottage Grove. First, she sewed 2,500 face masks with her family and donated them to local hospitals and organizations. Additionally, as the chair and director of the community choir, Spirit Song, Reimann kept her performers engaged during the pandemic. In the summer, although the season had come to a close, Reimann held virtual rehearsals. Also, she is a volunteer at Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf. Reimann’s nominator concluded in their letter to The Chamber, “‘I’ve always been amazed at Mary’s energy to connect with people and get things done…she has definitely risen to the challenge during this time of COVID.’” Once Butt completed reading this letter of recommendation, Reimann thanked The Chamber in a unique way. She took a moment to recognize essential workers, caregivers, and common citizens. “There are just so many heroes right now…if each of us does our part it makes a difference.”

Even so, she was grateful to receive The Hero Award. “Thank you very much, this is very meaningful,” Reimann remarked.

At this point in 2020’s Evening of Excellence, there was one last honor to deliver; The President’s Award. However, maybe this should be rephrased as The President’s Awards. As president of The Chamber, Butt awarded three different women this honor. First, was Laurie Levine, the Executive Director of The Cottage Grove Area’s Chamber of Commerce. She was selected due to the “cheerful act” she maintained during a challenging year within the board. Butt let her know, “You are so remarkable and so loved by everyone here in the Chambers…congratulations Laurie.”

To which Levine responded, “Thank you, it’s much appreciated.”

Kelli Mickelson was the second recipient of The President’s Award. Mickelson serves on the executive board alongside Levine as the Past President. She was awarded for her insight and commitment. Butt elaborated, “I can’t thank you enough for all of the knowledge…I want to thank you with a 2020’s president’s award for all that you’ve done with the chambers for the last four years…”

Levine made it known that her colleague deserved the President’s Award “more than anybody.”

Angie Butt was the last person to receive the President’s Award, but she was certainly not the least of winners. The reason Butt recognized her as well was because of how she communicated between city council and The Chamber of Commerce in 2020. Once all three of these hard-working women were recognized by President Butt, he concluded, “All three of you gals in my life…big thank you to all three of you.”

The night of December 16th truly was an Evening of Excellence. It proved that countless selfless individuals reside here in Cottage Grove as well as in Newport and St. Paul Park. In the description of the ceremony’s Youtube video, The Cottage Grove Area’s Chamber of Commerce wrote a message meant for these quality people and organizations, “The Chamber would like to congratulate the award winners for all of their time and work in the community!”

Laurie Levine receives President’s Award.

Wayne Butt presents Angie Butt with President’s Award.

Pamela Regan receives The Business of the Year Award for 3M.

3M Site Manager, Allen Chasten, thanks The Chamber on behalf of 700+ employees .