Jan. 23 The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its 89^th Annual Gala at Catawba College’s Crystal Lounge. Over 200 Chamber members attended the Gala. This year’s award winners included: Patterson Farms Inc., Chamber Champion Small Business of the Year; Martha Bostian, Paul E. Fisher Volunteer of the Year; and, Dr. Michael Bitzer (Catawba College), Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award.

The Chamber Champion Small Business of the Year award, Patterson Farm, Inc. was recognized with Doug Patterson, Vice-President, accepting the award on behalf of his family business. The farm provides its customers with the highest quality produce, plants and service at a competitive price. The company is a model corporate citizen and is involved in school visits and class tours, agri-tourism, the Rowan County United Way, the Salisbury-Rowan Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce.

Martha Bostian (The Post Group), recipient of the Paul E. Fisher Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award, went “above and beyond the call of duty” in her volunteer hours for the Chamber. She has been the Top Producer in the Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign for the past two years, chairs the very successful Annual Trade Show, and attends numerous ribbon cuttings in her role as an Ambassador.

Dr. Michael Bitzer (Catawba College) was honored with the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. Bitzer serves as moderator of the Chamber’s Candidate Forums and received national and international news coverage in 2014 for his insightful political perspective on North Carolina’s U.S. Senate Race.

More information: rowanchamber.com.