2 Berea Volunteers to Receive Grindstone Award

After years of giving back to the community, a Berea married couple will be recognized with the Chamber of Commerce’s Grindstone Award. The award will be presented to Tom and Marie Herr at the 49th annual Grindstone Dinner.

The award has been an annual Berea tradition since 1967, wherein outstanding citizens are recognized for their continuous service to the community. The Herr’s will be the first couple awarded since 2011.

Citizens are nominated for the award by chamber members, local organizations, churches and residents who believe their nominee has contributed significantly to the quality of community life. According to the Chamber of Commerce's website, nominees should have provided service to citizens in a way that has markedly "made a difference."

There are a number of criteria for nominations. For example, the nominees must be awarded for good deeds not connected to their employment. In other words, doing good in the community isn't the nominee's job, but their passion. Residency in Berea is not required to be nominated, but it is heavily considered, according to the website.

This year’s ceremony will also showcase the winners of the 2016 Courtesy Award. Those awarded include Kailie Babey of Spudnut Donut Shop, Kim Dettmer of The Education Foundation, Susan Kelley of the Berea City School District and Ken Loeding of Aristocrat Berea.

The banquet will be held at Crowne Plaza on Thursday, April 21 at 6 p.m. It is priced at $39 per ticket. Email chamber@bereaohio.com or call (440)-243-8415 for reservations.