Recognizing Moorcroft's citizens and businesses of 2023

The Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) switched things up this year for the awards ceremony of the Citizen and Business of the Year. The awards are usually given in October but the fall seems to be busy and then the holiday season kicks off.

It is later than we anticipated but the Chamber Banquet was held Monday, February 26, 2024.

The event was held at MACC's newest member's facility, Keyhole Country Club, where they catered a delicious dinner. Entertainment that evening was by Rocky Courchaine, director of the Crook County Museum and his program Murder and Mayhem of Crook County. After Rocky's program, the awards were handed out.

Citizen of the Year nominees include:

Dave Elliott, who has been the face of most of the Town of Moorcroft's maintenance projects. You can always find Dave helping someone out when needed and going the extra mile in doing all that he can do to help with a problem. He is the first to help us hang banners on the light poles and the first to help us take them down. He offers his support in anything that the chamber does in town. Dave and his wife, Kandi live here in Moorcroft and have raised their family here.

Ben Glenn, who is no stranger to being nominated to the Citizen of the Year contest. Ben is currently the mayor of Moorcroft and a positive role model for our youth. He has helped coach many of our youth in various sports. He also owns one of the town construction companies, Glenn Construction, and is always available to help with projects in our area. He and his fiancée, Candace, are always ready to help those in need and enjoy raising their tribe in Moorcroft.

Our Citizen of the Year winner is Toni Kornemann, who has managed Coffee Cup Fuel Stop for as many years as you can remember. A long time resident of the area, Toni supports the community, large and small. From the youth groups to many other businesses, she is willing to lend a helping hand when able. We would like to take this time to congratulate her on putting Moorcroft area first!

Business of the Year nominees includes:

It was a tough competition this year with the most votes we have ever seen for one business, due, in part. to the support of family and friends.

Mousse Lodge, owned and operated by Susie Millard and Michelle Hullinger. The Mousse Lodge has been open since 2001, providing the latest in trends to the folks of Moorcroft. They help serve our community in many ways, but it's the best place to stop and grab a cup of hot cocoa during the light parade every year.

Criss Cross Chaos Boutique is run by Jordan Miller. This cute little boutique is a treasure to have in Moorcroft and started as an online boutique in 2014; Jordan turned it into a brick and mortor in 2023. Jordan and her husband also bring to Jubilee the goat roping, a classic move from a two-time collegiate goat roping champion. Jordan's passion is to bring and highlight small businesses in her store as well as bringing the latest western fashion to all.

Dirt Road Radio, KYTD 103.1, formerly the Country Twins Radio of Belle Fourche moved to Moorcroft in 2022 with a new location and a new name, but one thing that remains the same is the voice of the radio, Karl Grimmelmann. Matt and Andrea Wood purchased the station and moved it Moorcroft, where it has been a staple, especially the morning report. Mondays and Fridays, our very own Monte Reichenberg brings us the happenings of Moorcroft and Cindy Mosteller wraps up the middle of the week, on Wednesdays. Dirt Road Radio is instrumental in bringing your high school sports games live, on the radio and also helps keep you informed on the day to day news.

Our winner this year is Rush Creek Properties, owner Heidi Blakeman has brought affordable housing to those in need in Moorcroft. She works hard as a member of the town council and even harder maintaining the beautification of Moorcroft. Heidi can be found supporting the youth sports of Moorcroft as well as making Moorcroft a better place to live. She also donates her time helping with the food pantry.

The biggest award of the night is our Lifetime Achievement Award. The Banquet Committee has the toughest job of all in selecting the recipient of this award. It gets harder and harder every year, but this year the award goes to Marge Reed! Marge has been an asset to Moorcroft for many years and is always willing to help anytime she can. Keeping Moorcroft beautiful is one of her goals and she is admired for all the hard work she does. You can find Marge picking up trash at the Spring Fling or supporting the youth at sporting events, the community clubs have an advocate in Marge and she is a great volunteer. She raised her family here in Moorcroft and now devotes her time to her grandchildren. She is one half of the Garden Gnomes of Moorcroft and we congratulate her in all of her accomplishments.

Thanks to all that joined us Monday night in honoring these folks who have made Moorcroft a better place.