2013 Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce banquet

Dedicated volunteer Democrat Photo/Lisa Schlichtman Local banker and avid volunteer Landon Fletcher was honored with the 2013 Community Service Award, which was presented during Saturday night's annual Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce banquet. Fletcher is pictured above with his award and surrounded by members of his family. From left, are: Steve and Stacy Runnels; his wife, Brenda; Fletcher; and Leslie and Tyler Smith.

Leading by example Democrat Photo/Lisa Schlichtman The torch of leadership was passed on Saturday night as new Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce President Dusty Reid welcomed guests to the chamber's annual banquet. Reid also took time to honor outgoing president Gary Whyte for his dedication and commitment to the chamber over the past year. Pictured above, from left, are: Whyte; chamber speaker Peter Herschend; Mindi Artherton, chamber executive director; and Reid.

Business commitment Democrat Photos/Lisa Schlichtman Commerce Bank and Willis Insurance were honored as the winners of the 2013 Community Business Involvement Award. Both businesses, which are located on Cassville's downtown square, celebrated 125th anniversaries this past year. Pictured above left are Commerce Bank President Mike McCracken and Vice President Debra Mitchell accepting the bank's award from Gary Whyte, outgoing chamber president.

Pictured above right are members of the Willis Insurance team receiving their award from Whyte. From left, are: Jerry Marple, Jeremy Marple, Bob Allen, Annette Henderson and Whyte.

Business beautification awards Democrat Photos/Lisa Schlichtman McDonald's in Cassville was honored as one of two Business Beautification Award winners announced during Saturday night's chamber banquet. In the photo above, Steve Lewis, area supervisor, accepts the award on behalf of local McDonald's owners, Bill and Walter Mathews, from Gary Whyte, outgoing chamber president.

Democrat Photos/Lindsay Reed Restaurant updated The Cassville McDonald's also underwent an extensive remodeling project this year. Construction crews updated the exterior and interior of the restaurant. The project also included the installation of a dual lane drive through, which is designed to decrease wait times for drive through customers. The local restaurant now features McDonald's newest facility design.

In the photo below, Carolyn and Bob Bishop, pictured at left, Whyte, and Chuck and Pat Pilant, pictured at right, accept the second Business Beautification Award of the night for their work on the exterior and interior renovation of the building that now houses Towneley Furnishings on the corner of Main and Eighth streets.

Democrat Photos/Lindsay Reed Beautiful business Carolyn and Bob Bishop were honored at this year's Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce banquet for the work that has been completed on the exterior of the building located at the intersection of Eighth and Main Streets in Cassville. Lowe Construction completed an extensive remodeling of the building, which is owned by the Bishops. The building, pictured above, now features a brick facade, beautiful showroom windows and a new storefront entrance.

Chuck and Pat Pilant also completed an extensive remodeling project inside the building, which houses their business Towneley Furnishings. The rustic showroom, pictured below, now features shabby chic exposed brick and beams, which is complimented by newly installed wood paneling, floors and barn-style doors. Towneley Furnishings continues to offer individual unique used furniture and new and vintage home décor. The business has added a line of British and Irish food items and snacks and a variety of new gift items. "We want to make it different than any other place around," said Chuck Pilant. Towneley Furnishings also continues to offer its line of 25 cent greeting cards. A re-opening event will be scheduled at the business later this year.