Eleven to be honored at MRPC Annual Dinner Oct. 23 in Salem

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will be presenting eleven awards at its Annual Dinner on Oct. 23 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Each year, MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time and talents and give support to their communities.

Individuals being recognized by MRPC for Outstanding Contributions to a Community are:

• Charles (Chuck) Ray of Bourbon, nominated by MRPC Board Member Mary Heywood;

• Kelly Money of St. James, nominated by MRPC Board Member Taisia Gordon;

• Joann Goethe of Waynesville; nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson;

• Dana Richter of Steelville, nominated by Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Steve Black; and

• Wade Guffey of Belle, nominated by MRPC Board Member Steve Vogt.

Two individuals are being recognized as Outstanding Local Elected Officials:

• Dent County Clerk Angie Curley of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson; and

• Maries County Clerk Rhonda Rogers of Belle, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman.

One individual is being recognized as an Outstanding Local Agency Representative:

• Rolla City Administrator John Butz of Rolla, nominated by MRPC board members Kent Bagnall and Dawn Bell.

Three youths will be among those honored for their volunteer efforts. They are:

• Reese Snodgrass of Vienna, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman;

• Brooklyn Zamora of St. Robert, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson; and

• Victoria Busch of Belle, nominated by MRPC board member Steve Vogt.

The public is invited to attend the event in Salem. The deadline for reservations is Oct. 9. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993.

A reception sponsored by Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying and Architecture, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America Local Union Missouri 1839, the city of Salem and Dent County will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The reception will feature a silent auction, live music, performed by Lake of the Ozarks Council of Governments Executive Director Mitch Shields and a 50/50 raffle, sponsored by Stites Insurance Agency LLC, Sherry Stites, Shelter Insurance. Dinner, catered by Vintage Apron Catering, will be served buffet-style at 6:30 p.m. with a program and awards presentation following. Dinner will be creamy Italian chicken breast, roast beef, Vintage Apron’s signature salad, homestyle green beans, buttery mashed potatoes, a homemade yeast dinner roll and a variety of fall themed desserts.

The 2025 Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient remains a secret until announced at the Annual Dinner.

For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin serves as MRPC chair. A professional staff of 24, led by Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.