Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Chamber honors community leaders

• Dr. Charles Spears was honored with the Mary Award for his many years of service as a physician in the Branson community.

• Mark Trimble, past owner of Shepherd of the Hills and Fantastic Caverns, was recognized with the Pioneer Award. Trimble helped create a marketing effort during the national gas shortage of the 1970s that led to the formation of the Ozark Marketing Council.

• Jim and Sue Alkire of America’s Best Campground received the Ambassador Award for promoting Branson at RV and camping trade shows and rallies.

• The Beautification Award was awarded to God & Country Gardens, whose owners Dick and Dawn Easton converted a former Branson Go-kart track into a landscaped area on West Highway 76.

• The Community Spirit Award went to Tim Connell of Connell Insurance. Connell has provided and served numerous holiday luncheons to the employees of Tantone Industries, a Taney County sheltered workshop.

• The Care for Kids Award, a new annual award sponsored by the Silver Dollar City Foundation, was given to Mary Pierce, a site supervisor at Hollister Schools for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.