Public service award recipients from various emergency personnel departments during the Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce 22nd annual banquet Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

BEVERLY — Residents, leaders and first responders from the community gathered Thursday at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Beverly for the 22nd annual Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce award ceremony and dinner.

Chamber Chairman Sam Skinner began the event with recognition of local leaders including members of the board of education, chamber of commerce board and local government including the Washington County Commission.

The gathering brings the community together to recognize groups and individuals for their outstanding work.

The awards included scholarships to two Fort Frye students, public service awards, Paul King Founders recognition, community service recognition and a business of the year award.

“We’ve been giving out our service awards for 43 years now,” said Skinner. “We want to recognize the people who serve our community.”

Public service awards presented by Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce during the commerce's annual banquet Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Presented by the Marietta Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, the recipients for the 2026 awards were:

*Village of Beverly: Police Chief Matt Rummer, introduced by Beverly Mayor Jim Ullman

*State Highway Patrol: Trooper Hunter Mahoney, introduced by Sgt. Jeremy Border

*Marietta City Police Department officer of the year: Patrolman Devon Moss, introduced by Chief Katie Warden

*Washington County Sheriff Department employee of the year: Lt. Eric Augenstein, introduced by Sheriff Mark Warden

State Highway Patrol Trooper Hunter Mahoney, right, tells a joke after receiving his award during the Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce annual banquet Thursday. Commerce chairman Sam Skinner stands to the left. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

*Washington County EMS EMT of the year: Chief Fred Hupp, introduced by Squad Chief Jim Black

*Washington County Fire Association volunteer fire fighters of the year: Assistant Chief Dan Foy, introduced by Chief Mark Wile, and Chief Deputy Chad Stengel introduced by Fire Chief Josh Harris

*Marietta Fire Department fireman of the year: Lt. Matt Alloway and firefighter Dan Hammer introduced by Chief CW Durham III

*Paul King Founders: Steve and Christine Wainwright

*Community Service: The Beverly Library

Washington County Sheriff Department Lieutenant Eric Augenstein, middle, speaks after accepting his public service award from Sheriff Mark Warden, right, during the Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce annual banquet Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

*Business of the year: The Citizen Bank Co.

Each award recipient was introduced by a leader in the respective department who spoke highly of the recipient and the work they’ve done.

There were kindhearted stories shared amongst departments about how the award receipt, Augenstein for example, stepped up to the plate when leadership was needed.

“Among the most important titles this man carries is that he is also a son, a father, a husband and a grandpa,” Warden said. “Our employee of the year is holding the future of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.”

Each recipient had an opportunity to give a speech if they chose to do so upon introduction. Each recipient was given a plaque to memorialize the hard work they put in over the course of the year.

Christine and Steven Wainright of Wainwright's Fine Jewelry speak after winning the Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce Paul King Founders award at the annual banquet on Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

After a few hours of awards and speeches and photos, the audience participated in a raffle for flowers provided by Greenleaf Landscapes and cupcakes from Lisa Sweet Stop.

Skinner thanked everyone who made the dinner possible, including the Catholic Women Association and Youths who prepared the dinner for the evening.

Visit www.mvbwcc.com for up-to-date information and upcoming events.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com