Chamber banquet honors Custer’s best

Three individuals, two couples and a business were honored last Thursday evening at the Custer State Park Event Barn, as the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual end-of-season awards banquet.
Among the winners were Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley and his wife Jen, who were presented with the Citizen of the Year Award.
Presenter Bobbi Schmidt told the audience Marty has done so much for the community of Custer over the years, from passing out Halloween candy in costume, to assisting at parades.
“You can find this individual at most every community and school function in addition to walking the mean streets of Custer and keeping the peace,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt also told of the Mechaleys’ efforts in helping nine girls escape the clutches of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
“They asked for no recognition or pay, doing it only out of the kindness of their heart and a desire to help people in need,” Schmidt said.
Upon receiving the award, Marty said he was proud of everyone in the sheriff’s office and dispatch center, adding the reason the sheriff’s office and dispatch can do their jobs so well is the community support that is received.
Jen Mechaley touched on the couple helping the girls leave the FLDS, saying they appreciated everyone being so kind and supportive of what they had done.
“It was a big undertaking, but there is a reason we did it; it was the right thing to do,” she said. “We got a lot of positive support from a lot of people. We appreciate that. It was something that was questionable, but we decided to do it for the right reasons.”
The next award was the Extra Mile Award, which was presented to Ronni Calvird, local owner of American Family Insurance.
Presenter Erica Van Horn said Calvird is the epitome of who should win the award, which is given to an individual who goes above and beyond for their community while providing good customer service.
“This person is the perfect example of just that, and I am certain many in this room tonight will agree,” she said.
Van Horn told of all the community tasks Calvird undertakes, including purchasing popcorn bags for home sporting events, selling raffle tickets at basketball games, volunteering for Gold Discovery Days events and organizing the Southern Hills Realtors for Kids event that raises money for children in the community.
“Whatever the need may be, if it is within her power she will do it or help make it happen,” Van Horn said.
Calvird said she was speechless upon receiving the award, but said she loves Custer and loves everyone in Custer.
“We need to continue to make it a great little town for everybody,” she said. “It takes a village.”
Janet Boyer, owner of Custer Car Wash, Beggin’ Burro and Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co., won the Individual of the Year Award, with Hallie Webster presenting the award.
Webster described Boyer as someone who someone who constantly thinks of others and puts the needs of the community, schools, sports organizations, senior projects, their employees and individual needs in front of her own.
“This person has served on the planning commission, YMCA board, YMCA fundraising board, planned and sponsored teacher appreciation and fifth quarter events, judges for 4-H,  is on the committee to bring back the nursing home in Custer, initiated the beautiful downtown street lighting, has taught in both Custer and Hill City, and the list goes on,” Webster said. “So much of what Custer is today has a lot to do with this woman’s mindset, determination and her love for Custer.”
Webster went on to say Boyer goes above and beyond without hesitation donating time, expertise and always making sure others achieve success humbly without taking anything in return.
“I am only as strong as the shoulder that I get to walk amongst, and those are your shoulders,” Boyer said upon receiving the award. “Custer is the last great bastion of everything that we want the world to be.”
Boyer said Custer people are good people who show those who come to town how people should be.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for everything you give,” she said.
Miner’s Cup was presented with the Business of the Year Award, with presenter Carrie Moore saying while the business may have only been in the community for a handful of years, its roots run deep.
“In fact, you would think they have been around much longer, given the amount of support and activity it has had in the community,” Moore said. “This business is also one of the reasons why my pants don’t really fit from time to time. There are just so many good-tasting items.”
Moore said Miner’s Cup was a long-time dream for owner Miranda Boggs, a Custer native. At the heart of her business, Miranda wanted to be here for the community.
“Miner’s Cup has always and will always be open year-round,” Moore said. “Miranda takes great pride in serving her community, employing her community and giving back to her community.
Moore added Miner’s Cup participates in nearly every community parade and event in some way or form and even creates specialty drinks and menu items to celebrate homecomings, community events and holidays. Miner’s Cup also gives back to community organizations by donating to various fundraisers and auctions, as well as donating coffee and snacks.
Boggs was overwhelmed with emotion upon receiving the award, saying she was truly surprised and barely made it to the event, as she was dealing with plumbing issues in her shop.
“I really care about Custer. The community matters. People who are here in the winter matter,” she said. “Obviously we need the tourists, but there are people who miss out on things when tourism-based businesses close down. I want to be there for them.
“I love seeing so many of your faces come through every day. We love you guys, I love you guys.”
The final award of the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Charley and Norma Najacht, longtime owners of the Custer County Chronicle. The two spent over two decades as owners of the newspaper before selling it last October.
Most of their newspaper careers were spent by each other’s side, and the Najachts have have been recognized by their peers for their newspapering talents and accomplishments. Over the years each has won more than 100 awards in SDNA’s annual contests for writing, commentary, photography and advertising, presenter Amy Bailey said. In 2019, the two were elected to the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame. They were only the second husband and wife team to be elected to the hall.
The two had nearly 100 years combined in newspaper experience behind them when they sold their newspapers in 2021.
“It’s been a long haul. But you live long enough, you get an award like this,” Charley joked. “It’s been so rewarding. When we got out of the corporate newspaper world, I wanted to buy a newspaper and be a part of a community. We found one in Custer.”
Norma called it an honor and a privilege to have covered the news in Custer for all those years.
“I thank you for the opportunity that we had,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Earlier in the evening the Outstanding Customer Service Award was awarded, although Dave’s World owners Dave and Patty Ressler were not able to attend the banquet.
Presenter Duane Martinz said winning the award requires a “very high level of communication, guarantees customer support and exceeds expectations.”
“This nominee provides each of these services with every facet of their business,” he said.
Martinz said when customers contact Dave’s World they receive a greeting full of enthusiasm and positivity, and time is taken to answer every customer question, helping them to have the highest quality Southern Black Hills Experience possible.
“All this effort takes an amazing team,” Martinz said, before naming those who work at the business, adding those involved are constantly striving to follow their tag line, “creating memories, making friends.”