10/18/2012: ASHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS ANDERSON AUTO BODY WITH THE SERVICE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 2012!!
From Left to Right: Livia Genise (Camelot), Aurel Jarcov, Dave Anderson, Galina Apreotesi
It was hard to keep it all a secret for two weeks from their father, but Galina and Aurel, managed to keep the award under wraps. As Livia Genise, artistic director of the Camelot Theatre, started describing characteristics of the recipient of the service business of the year award, you could see Dave's facial expressions unravel as he began to realize "Hey, that could be me she's talking about." As Livia continued expaining the work and background of the winner of this award you could see Dave as he began sitting up straighter, his cheeks becoming a little more red, and his face tightening and becoming a bit more serious. You could see that nerves were starting to fill his body, as he prepared for the possible visit to the stage. What was he going to say?? As Livia announced the winner, and called Dave Anderson, owner of Anderson Auto Body to the stage to receive the esteemed award, Dave looked over at his children with an overwhelmed and shocked expression. Being a fit man, who works out daily and eats very healthy, the vibrant owner of the shop walked swiftly to the stage, leaving in the dust his son and daughter, who were trying desperately to keep up with their father. Dave gets on stage, is handed the SERVICE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR award, a glass pumpkin blown by Gathering Glass Studio, and exclaims "I am so nervous, I hope I don't forget how to speak English!" The crowd of over 300 local business owners broke out in laughter, as Dave continued his "thank you" speech in English, with no problems. He explained to everyone how shocked he was that he had been recognized for this award, and that he really would have never, in a million years, expected that he would be on stage. He told the crowd of his amazement that he could be where is today, coming from a poor village in Romania with literally nothing to speak of, and making it all happen in this beautiful country he is so grateful to call home. As he closed, said a final thank you to the audience, he turned to his daughter and son, and exited the stage a proud, humbled business owner! October 18, 2012 marked a day that Dave will not soon forget, a culminating moment where goals were not only achieved, but were recognized by a community!
It must be said: Thank you to all of our staff for making us shine, for the hard work that you do, and for the consistent quality that is provided to all of our customers. Thank you to our customers for your continued patronage, for telling your friends and family about our shop, and for helping us to keep our doors open. It is because of you that we are in business, and we are thankful that we have the opportunity to serve such an amazing community.
Here is the link to the Ashland Chamber of Commerce site to view all award recipients at the 2012 Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.
