A crisp October evening, the sound of 
waves rolling against the shoreline in the North Dakota wind, and a red carpet lined with stars welcomed guests to The Shores at Woodland Resort. Inside, the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties awaited as nearly 300 guests gathered for a celebration a century in the making.
On October 9, the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100th Annual Business & Community Awards, marking a milestone that brought together a century of history, generations of local businesses, and the people who continue to shape the Lake Region. From flapper dresses and feathered accessories to familiar faces and a room full of laughter, it was an evening worth getting dressed up for. But beneath the sparkle and celebration was something even more meaningful: a community coming together to recognize the people who make it such a special place to live, work, and do business.
The celebration began before guests even entered the room. A red carpet lined with stars recognizing our sponsors welcomed everyone to the evening, complete with our very own paparazzi ready to capture the occasion. Inside, guests were greeted by a stage celebrating our once-in-a-century milestone, with Devils Lake providing a beautiful backdrop. Photos of ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings from throughout the Chamber's history offered glimpses into the businesses, buildings, and people who have helped shape our community.
There's something pretty remarkable about looking back through a century of those moments. Some businesses have changed names, some buildings have found new purposes, and some faces are now part of our community's history. But the excitement of opening a business, breaking ground on something new, or celebrating a milestone is just as meaningful today as it was decades ago. We were also delighted to welcome back three former Chamber executive directors to celebrate with us. Having people who helped guide the organization through earlier chapters of its history made the evening even more special.
Of course, one of the best parts of our annual gala is recognizing the businesses and individuals who are making a difference in the Lake Region today.
This year's Business & Community Awards honored six outstanding recipients:
New Chamber Business of the Year: Electric Beetle
Woman-Owned Business Achievement Award: Harvested Blooms
Excellence in Small Business Award: H.E. Everson
Long-Standing Chamber Member of the Year: Dakota Wash Master / Minnie H
Devils Lake Chamber Member of the Year: Devils Lake Park Board
The Spark Award: Terra Eriksson
Each recipient represents something we value in our business community, whether that's the courage to start something new, the dedication to keep growing, or the willingness to make our community a better place. To all of our award winners, congratulations! Your work, dedication, and contributions deserve to be celebrated, and we're grateful to have you as part of the Lake Region.
One particularly special moment came as we celebrated H.E. Everson and Frank Fritel, who marked his 65th anniversary with the company on the very same day as our gala! Sixty-five years with one company is an extraordinary milestone, and we couldn't have asked for a more fitting evening to recognize it.
While the evening gave us plenty of reasons to look back, it also gave us an opportunity to think about where we're headed. Our guest speaker, Arik Spencer, spoke about the importance of Chambers in today's changing economic landscape. From advocating for businesses and addressing workforce needs to bringing people and ideas together, chambers continue to play an important role in helping communities navigate challenges and recognize opportunities.
There's a shift happening in Devils Lake that we can feel. More conversations about collaboration. More people willing to try something new. More recognition that helping another business succeed doesn't take anything away from our own success. The Lake Region is full of talented people with great ideas, and we're seeing what can happen when those people connect, share resources, step outside their comfort zones, and lend a hand without expecting something in return.
That's the kind of community we want to keep building.
Looking around the room that evening, it was clear we weren't simply celebrating individual achievements. We were surrounded by people who wanted to see their neighbors succeed, their businesses grow, and their community thrive. And after 100 years, that spirit is still one of our greatest strengths.
To our sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, Chamber board members, and everyone who contributed to the celebration, thank you for helping us make our centennial gala one to remember. To The Shores at Woodland Resort, thank you for providing such a beautiful setting for this milestone. And to Candace with Iceberg Images by Candace, thank you for capturing the smiles, celebrations, and memories throughout the evening. We're grateful for the care you bring to documenting our Chamber events.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who joined us. For 100 years, the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce has been part of a community shaped by people willing to invest in their neighbors, take chances on new ideas, and work toward something bigger than themselves.
One hundred years looks pretty good on us. Let's see what we can do with the next hundred!
