Twelfth annual community banquet

The public is invited to the 12th Annual Community Banquet celebrating the Citizen and Business of the Year, sponsored by the Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC). This community event takes place Saturday, October 18 at the Moorcroft Town Center. Please enter on the west side of the building through the double doors of the gymnasium and proceed left to the library.

Social hour starts at 6 p.m. with cash bar and background music. A prime rib dinner follows at 7 p.m. and then the awards ceremony will commence, at which time Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement will be announced.

This year’s theme is based on the popular mystery game CLUE with Marybeth and Brian Runnels emceeing. Tickets can be purchased at Diehl’s Supermarket or West Texas Trail Museum or from any MACC member.

The Business nominees are Healing Hearts Home Health, Gifts, Thrifts, and -ifts and the Moorcroft Public Library.

Healing Hearts Home Health opened its doors in May of 2018. Owning her own Home Health Agency has been Lacy Davis’ dream since she was a certified nurse assistant at the age of 15. With the support of family and friends, Lacy made her dream a reality. Northeast Wyoming is designated as a medically underserved area and the need for more choices in health care is an important piece in keeping area residents healthy and safe. By participating in local events and organizations, Healing Hearts Home Health supports the community not just in times of illness, but also in times of health. Lacy is proud to be a life-long resident of Moorcroft and is dedicated to building a business that provides care to its residents with the same loving care one would provide for their own family. 

Gifts, Thrifts, and –ifts is owned and operated by Neal and Dee Gray. It was always Dee’s desire to own a store and Neal was supportive and a valuable partner in helping Dee realize her dream. Neal and Dee combined their talents and abilities to build a quality antique and gift store. They can be found at auctions and estate sales searching for that special item someone requested or discovering a priceless antique for their store. Dee’s beautiful quilts adorn the store, catching the visitors’ attention as they walk through the door. Neal’s exceptional woodworking is displayed throughout their organized and nicely decorated store. Not only do the Gray’s manage a downtown business, but they generously share the blessings their store offers by donating to good causes such as the Harvest Feastival, Business Expo, Jubilee, Heritage Round-Up, Interfaith Community, and Christmas Basket Project, to name a few.

A local library is an essential part of any community and Moorcroft Public Library fits the bill entirely when it comes to community involvement. The employees at the Moorcroft Public Library create activities that accommodate a wide range of ages and interests for their 729 library users. With 17,990 items in the library, visitors are greeted with many opportunities to increase their pleasure and knowledge. The library conducts story hour, crafts, art projects, painting workshops and book clubs to give individuals a variety of experiences. They provide meeting rooms, offer research, access to internet, present traveling exhibits and display local exhibits in a pleasant reading atmosphere. The staff is knowledgeable, available, and eager to assist visitors with their requests and wishes, whether it is to suggest a good book or help with research. The library personnel are community volunteers and contribute to local events such as the Scholastic Book Fair, Harvest Feastival, Business Expo, Heritage Round-Up, Jubilee, Rib Fest and Chamber ribbon cuttings, to mention a few.

The Citizen nominees are Char Delfino, Neal Gray, and Cynthia Clonch.

Neal Gray and his wife, Dee, returned to his home town after retiring and immediately pursued several activities. Neal is currently the president of the Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Jubilee Committee, board member of the Crook County Museum District, and director for the Moorcroft Interfaith Community Choir. Neal is highly commended for his diligence and commitment to the Jubilee this year, utilizing his organizational, solicitation and leadership skills. It is Neal’s desire to help make Moorcroft a nicer and more attractive place where visitors and new residents feel welcomed. Neal is instrumental in several humanitarian projects in our community. He is always willing to help anyone in need. Neal continues to make time for his father, visiting and tending to his health and well-being. Neal entertains at nursing homes and Senior Centers in the surrounding area, playing guitar and singing the good old songs that our elderly citizens love. Leadership runs in the family because Neal’s father, Richard Gray, received the honor of Lifetime Achievement in 2014.

Char Delfino and her husband, Brian, have three children and seven grandchildren. Char runs a wonderfully busy business filled with lots of children who have become honorary grandbabies. Char is the owner and care provider at Happily Ever After Daycare in Moorcroft. Char belongs to the Moorcroft Ambulance Service and serves as vice president. She receives much fulfillment going on calls and serving the community in any possible way she can. Char is active on the Moorcroft Baseball board and willing to assist in any capacity with parks and recreation. One of Char’s favorite volunteer activities is hosting the town Easter Egg Hunt each year. Char also serves on the Parent Advisory Committee and assists with the Halloween party each year. Char recently joined Moorcroft Community Development where she will participate in the scarecrow contest, Christmas light pole project and future endeavors. Char is a natural caregiver and children are her pride and priority.

Cynthia Clonch values the small town atmosphere and has been committed to the Moorcroft community for the past 15 years. Cynthia’s greatest pride is her husband, Don, and their ten children and eight grandchildren. She believes in leading by example and that it is imperative and a privilege to be involved in family, school, church and community activities. Cynthia currently serves as secretary for Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce, Moorcroft Interfaith Community and Moorcroft Senior Center. She enjoys accompanying the Moorcroft Interfaith Community Choir and has served as accompanist for the Catholic Church for nearly 50 years. Cynthia values her experience as secretary for Crook County Promotion Board and MHS Booster Club and expresses coaching baseball and softball and assisting her husband coach basketball were highlights of her volunteerism. Cynthia is Director of West Texas Trail Museum and enjoys her job tremendously, acknowledging the Heritage Round-Up, Jubilee, field trips and student research among her favorite job responsibilities because they involve school and community interaction.

The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to…We are CLUELESS. Come to the Banquet and find out!