COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Longtime Coldwater Community Schools music teacher and community advocate Diane Pridgeon was named Citizen of the Year during the 65th Annual Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce Awards dinner at the Dearth Community Center Thursday night. Pridgeon is now retired, but still serves on the boards for the 4-H Foundation and the Tibbits Opera Foundation.
The Business of the Year award was presented to Dr. Matthew Christopher and Associates, D.D.S. of Coldwater and Union City.
Other awards went to the Branch County Association of Realtors for Outstanding Community Program, Coldwater Director of Police and Fire Services Mark Bartell for Outstanding Public Service, longtime Bronson High School teacher Don Hicks for Educator of the Year, and Chamber administrative assistant Shelly VanDongen was given the “Whatever It Takes” Award.
A crowd of over 260 people attended the awards dinner. The event also marked the official leadership transition for the chamber board, with Quinn White taking over as President to replace Russ Hickey.
