WAYNE – Community members packed into the Beaumont Event and Concert Hall just north of Wayne to celebrate their accomplishments of 2021.
Following a postponement from earlier this year, ‘A Red Carpet Affair’ was the theme for the Wayne Area Economic Development annual Banquet Sunday evening.
After a social hour for an opportunity to go over the silent auction items, dinner was served prior to the live dessert auction which had multiple items go for over $900 and the highest dessert went up to $1,200.
Proceeds from the silent auction will fund two scholarships at Wayne State College while proceeds from the dessert auction will go towards the American Flags along Highway 35 in the City of Wayne.
True View Photography also provided a photo booth early in the evening while Ace Hardware & Home offered a raffle drawing.
Executive Director of Wayne Area Economic Development, Luke Virgil led the night while thanking his staff along with the WAED board members, special events committee and others who donated their time and funds to the event.
Wayne Area Legacy Fund Grant recipients were then announced. Carroll Park, IKE’s Lake and the Wayne Public Library will total $5,600 of grant funds from the Legacy Fund with still more funds to grant this year.
Moving into the awards ceremony, more accomplishments were recognized from last year.
The 2021 Most Valuable Patron was Rainbow World Preschool and Child Development Center; the 2021 Business of the Year was Discount Furniture; the 2021 Educator of the Year was Diane Gentrup and the 2021 Citizen of the Year was Jill Brodersen.
