Randy Romens named chamber’s Citizen of the Year
Randy Romens, the coordinator of Glenwood’s Brews, Blues & BBQ celebration, is this year’s recipient of the Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year award. He will be among several individuals, organizations and businesses honored at the chamber’s annual Betterment and Beautification Dinner and Awards program March 3 at the Bella Terre reception hall.
Romens first pitched his idea for the Blues, Brews & BBQ celebration to the Glenwood community in 2014 with the desire to bring a Fourth of July celebration to Glenwood that would become an annual event. Held at Glenwood Lake Park, the event has taken off and is expected to attract hundreds of people to the community again this year.
“I’m humbled by the award,” Romens said. “It’s quite an honor, but the event has been successful because of the support from the community, my family and my friends.”
A nomination letter sent to the chamber of commerce said Romens is a promoter and go-getter for the Glenwood community.
“I don’t think you will find a more positive person in Glenwood that endorses and promotes Glenwood,” the letter stated. “His positive attitude is the main reason the event has been so successful.”
Blues, Brews & BBQ has raised over $6,000 for the Mills County Trails initiative. Romens is the vice president of the Mills County Trails Board, a team of volunteers working to bring recreational trails to the county.
Other honorees at the awards dinner will include Chrissy Vinton, Junior Citizen of the Year; Hooves and Paws Rescue of the Heartland, Club / Organization of the Year; Brooke Lincoln of Shear Genius, Start-up Business of the Year; Dr. Mike Kenkel and staff at Kenkel Family Chiropractic, Community Connection Award; Northeast Elementary Principal Joan Crowl, Educator of the Year; the staff at El Porton Mexican Grill, Customer Service Award; Dr. Paul and Devon Albertson and staff at Glenwood Family Dentistry, Business Transformation Award; Brian Koonze and staff at Vermeer of the Bluffs and Henry Clark of Clark Storage, Brick and Mortar Awards; and Scott Erickson, Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce President’s Award.
Ticket reservations for the awards dinner are being accepted at the chamber of commerce office until Thursday, Feb. 25.