Jack and Peter Herschend, John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg, and Dimitri Tsaharidis were among the award honorees Friday night at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau 62nd Annual Black Tie Celebration.
About 520 people attended the gala at Chateau on the Lake Resort.
The chamber issued awards in six categories:
• Capts. Ron and Laura Key, directors of Salvation Army Branson since 2004, received The Mary Award, named after Mary Herschend and Mary Trimble for their roles in the development of Branson and excellent service to others. In 2008, the Keys oversaw the care, feeding, clothing and general support of more than 10,000 people, including assisting those who fled to Branson after disasters in Louisiana and Texas.
• Brothers Jack and Peter Herschend of Herschend Family Entertainment and Silver Dollar City were recognized with The Pioneer Award, which highlights at least 15 years of outstanding service to the community. The Herschends arrived in Branson in 1950, and after their father died, they helped their mother build Silver Dollar City. They've built other Branson attractions and oversee many charitable and environmental ventures.
• John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg, owners of the Titanic Museum Attraction, received The Ambassador Award, which acknowledges those who have brought positive attention to Branson. Joslyn and Kellogg began promoting Branson in 1995 when Kellogg brought "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" to town for a show. Their events at the Titanic museum garner national coverage for Branson. They serve on several boards and committees, and Joslyn is active with the Boys and Girls Club.
• Restaurateur and developer Dimitri Tsaharidis was honored with The Beautification Award, given to those who have enhanced the appearance of the community. Tsaharidis was born in Greece and came to Branson in the 1980s to open Dimitris, a gourmet restaurant on Lake Taneycomo. In 1993, he built a floating glass restaurant on the lake. Tsaharidis also has developed CastleRock office complex and Chappy Mall downtown.
• Linn Windle, a Missouri Highway Patrol sergeant in the Branson area, received the Community Spirit Award, given to a person or organization whose efforts have benefited the community in the past two years. Windle became known as the "pie man" for his baking and donating of hundreds of pies and cookies to hospitals, nursing homes, businesses and government offices; last year, his goods raised more than $10,000 at charity fundraisers. Windle, who like all recipients did not know of the award in advance, brought pies to the event to award as door prizes.
• Branson Fire Department Division Chief Ted Martin was given the Care For Kids Award for his service to the community's children. Martin, who is a foster parent, teaches fire prevention and safety to students in the Branson School District and is involved with K-Life and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. He also started a program in which fire fighters mentor boys in the Future Men school.[[In-content Ad]]
April 7 was the official opening day for Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant Show Me Chuy after a soft launch that started March 31; marketing agency AdZen debuted; and the Almighty Sando Shop opened a brick-and-mortar space.
