Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—Charles “Chuck” Ray and Dana Richter were honored with outstanding community service awards during the Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet, held Oct. 23 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Each year, MRPC honors residents, local agency representatives and local elected officials in the Meramec Region who contribute to their communities by volunteering their time, talents and support going above and beyond the call of duty. This year’s event was hosted by Dent County, the City of Salem and the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. 

Ray, nominated by MRPC Board Member Mary Heywood, is co-owner of CDR Natural Health Food store – celebrating 30 years in Bourbon. He started the Bourbon Community Development Group that serves as a chamber of commerce. The group started with an annual car show and an annual barbecue contest that draws many tourists to Bourbon. Ray has been instrumental in helping establish a tourist information/Route 66 Welcome Center building to boost the Bourbon community. He works with Bourbon Boosters and other community groups to boost Bourbon and was an active member of MRPC’s Naturally Meramec program to promote agri-tourism businesses throughout the region.

Richter, nominated by Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Steve Black, demonstrates outstanding leadership capabilities and has contributed significantly to the advancement of organizations by volunteering for Crawford County MU Extension Council, Steelville Sports Club, Steelville Booster Club, Ozark Trailblazers, Steelville Chamber of Commerce, Crawford County Fair Board, Crawford County 4-H Council, Outdoors and More 4-H Club, Impact 100, Crawford County Cattlemen’s Association, Steelville High School Alumni Association and Steelville High School Scholarship committee. Richter exemplifies what a volunteer should be – attending meetings, serving as an officer, donating her time and money and working tirelessly on committees and projects to ensure that every job is completed. 

“It was so good to come together in-person and honor our volunteers,” said MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge. “We are only able to honor a few volunteers each year, yet we extend our gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers in our region who truly make our region such an amazing place to live, work and visit. We are successful because of our volunteers. We hope that by recognizing a few volunteers, we can inspire others to volunteer their time and invest in their communities.” 

The night included a reception that began at 5:30 sponsored by the Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying and Architecture and The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local Union Missouri 1839. Pepsi- Cola of Rolla donated soda and Jim Holland donated Curling Vine Winery for the event. Reception music was performed by Mitch Shields, executive director of the Lake Ozarks Council of Local Governments. A silent auction, held during the reception, raised $1,488 and a 50/50 raffle sponsored by Sherry Stites, Shelter Insurance and Stites Insurance Agency LLC, which raised $1,146 split between the winner and MRPC, to offset the costs of the dinner. Approximately 181 people attended this year’s event. The dinner was catered by Vintage Apron of Salem. 

Other leaders who were recognized for contributions to their communities are:

• Dent County Clerk Angie Curley of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson, 
• Rolla City Administrator John Butz of Rolla, nominated by MRPC Board Members Kent Bagnall and Dawn Bell, 
• Maries County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers of Belle, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman, 
• St. James Chamber Director Kelly Money of St. James, nominated by MRPC Board Member Tasia Gordon, and
• Wade Guffey of Belle, nominated by MRPC Board Member Steve Vogt.

This year’s other youth award recipients were: 

• Brooklyn Zamora of St. Robert, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson, 
• Reese Snodgrass of Vienna, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman, and 
• Victoria Busch of Belle, nominated by MRPC Board Member Steve Vogt.  

The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, was presented to Joann Goethe of Waynesville for 2025. 

Goethe, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson, has called Waynesville home since 1995. Since that time, her home has been a haven for veterans, newcomers and neighbors who need help or a kind word. Goethe often mentors new families offering rides to medical appointments, supplying school essentials or dropping off hot meals at Thanksgiving. She is heavily involved in “Fostering Together,” fostering over 80 children in a span of 30 years. She saw families struggling to clothe their new arrivals, so in 2020, she established the Foster Closet, where foster parents could find clothes, supplies and a friendly face. With her help, countless foster children have arrived into a foster home with new clothes in a new backpack. Every Christmas, Goethe launches a gift drive, raising money, gathering volunteers and delivering wrapped gifts to foster kids. 

Goethe also volunteers her time as a key organizer of several major local events, including the Freedom Festival, Oktober Festival and Christmas on the Square and raises money for local nonprofits. 

“Because of her dedication and example, countless young volunteers have stepped forward to help with the Foster Closet, local festivals and holiday drives,” said Wilson in his nomination form. “She shows that one person’s kindness can ripple through an entire community. Her life is marked by a simple truth – by offering your resource, your time and your heart – you can light a path for others to follow.”

The Lender of the Year award was also presented during MRPC’s Annual Dinner. Working in partnership with the Meramec Regional Development Corporation (MRDC), MRPC recognizes lending institutions who partner with MRPC/MRDC on local business projects. For 2025, the Lender of the Year award was presented to Town and Country Bank.   

Staff members were recognized at the 2025 awards banquet for years of service included: 

• Eva Voss, Senior Community Development Specialist, 5 years of service; 
• Fredd Burton, Maintenance Technician, 5 years of service; 
• Jill Hollowell, Environmental Program Specialist, 10 years of service; 
• Kelly Sink, Project Development Manager, 25 years of service; 
• Linda Loughridge, Fiscal Officer, 30 years of service; and
• Tammy Rigsby, Senior Housing Coordinator, 35 years of service. 

Each year, MRPC employees are asked to select one staff member who performs above the call of duty, exhibits exemplary work performance, voluntarily promotes the organization and exhibits a positive work ethic and attitude. MRPC’s 2025 employee of the year was Samantha Sherman, Senior Community Development Specialist. 

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin serves as chair of the board. A professional staff of 24 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

-30-