On top, Tim Todd (left) receives the El Award; center, Ray and Carol Schneider get the Volunteers of the Year awardy; and bottom, Jean Corsi receives the Lady Laker award.
Montague Mayor Henry Roesler, Jr. outdrew his friend, Tim Todd, at the recent White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner.
Standing before chamber members and guests in the dining room at Michillinda Beach Lodge on Nov. 9, Roesler gave the younger Todd a surprise of his life.
Todd, who had been invited to the dinner under the guise that he was accepting an award of appreciation for his DECA students at Montague High School which have been active in working at several community festivals over the years, was surprised to learn his was the recipient of the coveted El Award.
The El Award is named in memory of Eleanor Polley, a former executive director of the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The award is given to a person for his or her involvement in the community.
In his introduction of Todd, Roesler recalled a story of when he first met the award recipient. Roesler, police chief of Montague about 50 years ago, was approached by Todd, a young boy. Todd challenged Roesler to a “finger” gun draw.
After that first encounter, Roesler said the pair continue to draw each time they meet each other.
“I think we have drawn 2,406 times, and I have won 1,209 times and he has won 1,999 times,” Roesler joked.
Todd, with a “you got me” look on his face, accepted the “weighty” award which is a bronze eagle sculpture.
Todd, who would challenge his friend’s mathematics on who won the most draws, has been the founder and advisor of the Montague High School DECA chapter which is an international marketing education student organization. His students have won many state and international awards, and many of the former DECA students have gone on to careers in marketing and business.
DECA members have been active in local fundraisers and festivals, including the Pumpkinfest and Cruz’In.
Todd has been involved in the community as the DECA advisor, and as chairman of the City of Montague Downtown Development Authority. He also was active in the business community when his family owned Todd Pharmacy (1959-1999).
Todd said he learned community service from his father and uncle who were pharmacists in the business. His father, Bob Todd, was on the Montague city council for 20 years, and his uncle, Jim Todd, was active in the Showboat variety show fundraiser for many years.
Also winning awards at the chamber banquet were Whitehall businesswoman, Jean Corsi, who received the beautiful glass Lady Laker, and Ray and Carol Schneider who were given the Volunteer of the Year recognition.
Corsi was given the Lady Laker by Helen Fink and Mary Twa, chamber board members. Fink was last year’s Lady Laker recipient.
Corsi, a former GTE employee, purchased the Corner House Gallery and Gifts in Whitehall 1993. The store sells clothing and unique art, jewelry and gifts, including creations of over 70 Michigan and American artists and companies.
In addition to operating the store, Corsi has been active in the business community. She has served on the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce board, and is currently a committee member for Whitehall’s “Cool Cities” Downtown Blueprint effort.
In presenting the award, Mark Zickel, owner of Pub 111 in downtown Whitehall, said Corsi is a big booster of local businesses, buying locally for her business and personal needs and encouraging others to do the same.
And, he added, “She had a gift of delivering the hard message in a kind manner for the good of the community.”
And, Zickel said, Corsi has been a leader in keeping her business open when others closed theirs. “She was open Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“She is a class act,” he said.
Corsi humbly accepted the Lady Laker. “A lot of people in the community are deserving of this,’’ she said. “Thank you very much.”
The Schneiders, whose son, Steve, works at the chamber of commerce office, have volunteered their time at the Riverview (flea) market in Whitehall, at chamber sponsored festivals, in maintenance at the chamber building and in holiday decorating.
Amy VanLoon, executive director of the chamber, said 2009 has been a positive year for the organization even though tourism was down 10 percent.
The chamber has 25 new members and has a total of 320.
And, this past year the chamber opened the Caboose Museum next to the chamber office.
Brad VanBergen, chamber board chair, encouraged members and guests at the banquet to be involved in the community, and work toward expanding the local economy. “It takes people to put on events,” he added.
