Cape chamber honors businesses, individuals

While the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce promotes and supports local businesses year-round, its annual banquet is an opportunity to give special recognition to a few individuals and businesses that have distinguished themselves.

Patrick Furniture and Realty Executives of Cape County were the businesses honored at this year's banquet.

Patrick Furniture, a 50-year chamber member, was acknowledged for its investment in the organization. Realty Executives of Cape County was honored with the 2015 Small Business of the Year Award for its contributions to the region. Bill and Susan Cole accepted the award on behalf of Realty Executives, which was established in 2003.

Two outstanding individuals were honored, as well.

Paula Myers was posthumously named the 2015 Ambassador of the Year; it was her sixth time receiving the honor. Myers, who passed away in November, had been a chamber member since 2005.

Myers "lived and breathed the chamber," said Kim Voelker, the chamber's membership development specialist. Myers' sister accepted the award.

Winning the Rush H. Limbaugh award was Dennis Vollink, pesident of Drury Southwest. Jim Limbaugh presented the award, which is given to an area businessperson who has expended exceptional effort on the community's behalf over an extended period.

"There is no finer example of quiet leadership" than Vollink, Limbaugh said.

Vollink told the crowd of about 850 that in all his travels and after "all the impossible projects" he has accomplished while with Drury, "the neatest thing we are able to talk about is that we're from Cape Girardeau."

Congratulations to all individuals and businesses recognized for their achievements. Your example sets the bar for businesses throughout the area.