Jackson's best

Recognizing the hard work and efforts of business, industry and civic leaders in making Jackson a better community, the chamber of commerce presented several awards during its annual banquet last week.

The awards went to well-deserving recipients.

Patsy Johnson was honored for her years of community service.

She received the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award.

The award is named after a prominent Jackson civic and community leader and is given to someone who has made significant contributions to the city.

In her 77 years as a Jackson resident, it's surprising that Patsy Johnson hasn't been honored until now.

Johnson has been a teacher, basketball coach, band director, hunter safety instructor, costume seamstress, Scout sponsor and tour guide.

Her recent work includes sewing costumes for and participating in the Lewis and Clark bicentennial celebration, leading a Jackson Senior Girl Scouts program and staying active in her church and a quilting group.

Maevers Management was named Business of the Year.

The company, owned by Lester, Jim and Tim Maevers, helped revitalize the city's business scene. Maevers built the Branding Iron restaurant and revamped the old IGA building into a bowling alley and family entertainment center.

The company also recruited several new businesses to the Boulevard Plaza in Jackson.

Nordenia USA was recognized as Industry of the Year.

The German-based packaging manufacturer has long been one of the area's biggest employers and added 100 new workers last year as part of a plant expansion.

There are many good businesses and community leaders who deserve recognition for their hard work in making Jackson a better place to live and work.

Those honored by the chamber are only a few of the residents and businesses that make Jackson such a fine community.