Tom Brokaw, an American journalist and author, once said “It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference.”
Surrounded by passionate local entrepreneurs, Myra Cox, chairwoman of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, used Brokaw’s quote as a fitting way to open her keynote address at The Tribune’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The event took place on Thursday, June 27 at Elkin’s First United Methodist Church. The more than 100 attendees represented nearly 40 businesses and organizations from Elkin and the surrounding area.
The Readers’ Choice Awards is an annual competition where Elkin readers vote for their favorite local businesses and organizations to receive various awards, like Best Burger and Best Cup of Coffee.
This year, readers cast nearly 14,000 votes in total.
Sandra Hurley, corporate director for APG Integrated Services, greeted attendees upon arrival with some opening remarks.
“It is a great place to live and a great place to do business,” she said about Elkin.
After David Steelman, executive director of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, gave the invocation, attendees filled their plates with a lunch from Mazzini’s Italian Restaurant. Steelman was described as “a believer in being positive” and a “difference maker” by Paul Hammes, CEO of Hugh Chatham Health, during his speech after the meal.
Hammes represented Hugh Chatham Health, the premier sponsor of the event. Hammes said the Readers’ Choice Awards are “a big deal,” stressing the importance of pausing to recognize the good work being done in the community. He also stressed the importance of community itself.
“When we do things together, we are so much stronger,” he said.
After Hammes, Cox took the mic to deliver the keynote address.
She told a story about hosting a foreign exchange student from Argentina named Paloma. She recalled how much Paloma loved going to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. During the exchange year, there’s no telling how much money Cox spent at Elkin’s Starbucks — but the joy it brought Paloma was priceless, Cox said.
“This customer was super satisfied,” she said of Paloma.
Businesses like these — businesses that insight joy and respect from their customers — are what make for a strong and prosperous community. She said the Elkin businesses in the crowd before her were the “best of the best,” and she praised them for building strong, trustworthy brands.
“I’ve lived in Elkin for eight years, and I have been a super satisfied customer,” she said.
After Cox’s speech, Hurley, assisted by Tribune Publications Manager Holly Lamm and Mount Airy Media Group General Manager Serena Bowman, gave out the dozens of awards, from Best Biscuit (won by Bojangles) to Best Customer Service (won by Comb’s Butcher Shoppe).
Some recipients received their first-ever Choice Award, while others, like Pamela McLean of Inspired Creations by Pamela, carried on a winning streak. She won a Choice Award for Best Artwork/Framing for the fourth year in a row and for the fifth time ever.
For McLean, her business is about more than money. She said it’s all about using her God-given talents to uplift and help others.
“I just consider it a blessing,” she said.
The full list of winners will be in this week's special tab.
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