For the first time in its inception, there was a tie for the Ashley Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. Kirk Rueb and Marvel Gross each received a plaque during the Chamber’s annual banquet on April 4 at the Wild Rose Cafe in Ashley.

Gross presented a surprised Rueb, owner of Ashley Super Valu, his award for his community involvement in fundraising and other volunteer efforts for numerous organizations including the Chamber, Ashley County Club and Ashley Lions Club.

Chamber member and Ashley Mayor Denny Hoffman followed with a presentation to Gross for her tireless promotion of the community. She has spearheaded the Chamber’s Oktoberfest promotion, Chamber fundraising efforts, and is active with the Tri-County Tourism board that promotes McIntosh, Emmons and Logan Counties. “If you see a local event, you’ll find her in the background, working at it,” Hoffman said later.