GOSHEN — Two family businesses, one regional grocery chain’s store, some city employees and an outspoken community member were honored today, Dec. 6, 2012, at the Goshen Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.

Mattern’s Butcher Shop and Corner Deli received the small business of the year designation from the chamber, while the chamber’s Maple Leaf awards went to the Olympia Candy Kitchen and to the local Martin’s Super Market. Vince Turner was recognized as volunteer of the year, and the chamber offered a special award to the Goshen Parks and Recreation Department.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Announcing the award for Mattern’s, the chamber’s Chris Smith said, “They’ve continued to innovate and grow in the community. They’ve also been involved in 4-H and other charities in our community.”

Dustin Mattern said their store, in business for 3 1/2 years, was a family dream. “It’s great to work alongside your family,” he said.

He credited the community, saying, “if it wasn’t for the Goshen community and all the friends we know, we wouldn’t be up here.”

At the end of the day, Mattern said, “that’s one of the best parts when you get home at the end of the day, is to say that you work with your family.”

MAPLE LEAF WINNERS

Kare Andersen of Olympia Candy Kitchen, too, talked about working with family. The business has been here for 100 years, and Andersen is the fourth generation of the family to work there, with some of the fifth generation working with him.

“This is a great honor, especially in our hundredth year,” Andersen told the crowd gathered at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds.

“We couldn’t do it without everybody that’s here today, so thank you very much.”

The large-business award went to Martins, and Randy Jones said the company worked for 20 years to come to Goshen, finally opening a store here in 2006. “It is with great pride that I do accept this award on behalf of Martin’s Super Markets. It’s an honor to accept this award from an organization that places such a high focus on service to the community as we do,” he said.

OTHER AWARDS

Turner was uncharacteristically at a loss for words when he was announced as volunteer of the year. “I have four children and eight grandchildren, so I’ve learned to be on my guard, but you surprised me. Thank you,” Turner said before sitting down.

Glenn Stutzman, outgoing chairman of the chamber board, said he wanted to give special recognition to the people responsible for the city’s parks and trails and recreation amenities. Sheri Howland, head of the parks department, said to the chamber crowd, “We truly appreciate your encouragement and your support.”

THE NEXT YEAR

When Stutzman turned over the gavel to Dr. Larry Brooks, Brooks said, “I am humbled to be in this position.”

He told the crowd, “We’re going to be working together on a number of things” over the next year, most of them continuations of 2012’s priorities for the chamber.

The goals, in addition to raising money for facilities work on the chamber offices, are:

• Influence public policy.

• Focus on education for work force development.

• Position Goshen as a prime location for business development.

• Build on the branding initiative that rolled out this year.

“This economy shows resilience here in Goshen and that’s because of all of you,” Brooks told the group.

“We’re proud of the entrepreneurial spirit here,” he said.