Chamber honors Biz Person of Year, others at banquet

The Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce honored some of the community’s top businesspeople, entrepreneurs, volunteers and nonprofits during its annual banquet last week.

Charlie Creighton, CEO of Colony Tire, was honored as Business Person of the Year during the April 18 event at Hayes Farm. Brian Roberts of Waterman’s Grill was named the Chamber’s Small Business Person of the Year.

The Cupola House Association was recognized as the Organization of the Year; Amber Hardy of East Carolina Real Estate was honored as Volunteer of the Year; Eddie and Melissa Field received a Voluntarism Award; and Dee Spruce was honored as a Destination Downtown Edenton Main Street Champion.

The Edenton-Chowan Environmental Group was also honored with the Mayor’s Award for Environmental Recognition.

Chamber Executive Director Susan Creed said she about 250 people attended the event, which was held under a tent and catered by the Herringbone and Cotton Gin Inn Culinary.

Robert Leath, executive director of the Elizabeth Van Moore Foundation, which manages the Hayes Farm, gave a “passionate and informative” history of the Hayes property and the impact its preservation “will have on our community,” Creed said.

Creighton was honored for not only his business success but his “love for the community and a philanthropic heart.” Roberts’ Waterman’s Grill was described as an Edenton “icon with over 25 years of success that continues to thrive in a competitive industry.”

The Chamber said the Cupola House Association and its all-volunteer board continue to grow their involvement in the community with Easels in the Garden, the community Christmas trees on the Cupola House grounds, and other events.

Hardy volunteers for many organizations and has served as president of the Chamber for two years. She started the Breakfast with Santa in conjunction with the American Legion Auxiliary and also took on responsibility for the Christmas Flotilla when another organization dropped the project.

The Fields were honored for helping tourists into Edenton through their successful Vinyl Night show at Edenton Bay Trading Company over the past 10 years.