SHERBURNE – Commerce Chenango recognized two community members, a local business owner and a non-profit Wednesday at the organization’s 10th Annual Membership Appreciation Luncheon, held at the Fox Run Event Center in Sherburne.
Those recognized were this year’s recipient of the Woman Owned Business of the Year, Danielle Marshman Williamson of Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor; Non-Profit Agency of the Year, the Chenango River Theatre; Ambassador of the Year, Kerri Green; and Employee of the Year Award, Kassie Golden of Canasawacta Country Club.
Commerce Chenango Interim President Sewain Conklin presided over the event, which was sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, Raymond and Integrys Energy Services. He was joined at the podium by the immediate past chair of the organization’s board of directors, Kevin Walsh, and its current chairman, James Currie of Frontier.
Woman-Owned Business of the Year
Danielle Marshman Williamson, owner of Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor in Oxford, received the Woman-Owned Business of the Year award.
“In a rural area like Chenango County, we must recognize the value of growing our small business sector, encouraging and nurturing a diverse mix of firms to build our future economy,” said Conklin, as he described the award, and the value of minority and woman owned businesses to the economy.
“Danielle ... was chosen to receive this award because of her commitment to believe in herself, her business and Chenango County,” he explained.
According to Conklin, Williamson first worked at Hoppie’s while still in high school. In 2006, armed with a degree in hotel and restaurant administration and with several years of experience in the hospitality industry under her belt, she had the opportunity to take over the business.
“She believed it was meant to be hers,” he said, explaining how Williamson had scrubbed the place from “top to bottom” and returned the shop to its historic state before re-opening the business with a new menu and new logo. Since that time, she has expanded the scope of the restaurant to include catering.
“She loves what she does and does it well, with dedication, commitment and most of all with integrity,” Conklin said.
He quoted Blueox President Neil Bartle, a long-time friend of the Marshman family, who praised Williamson’s work ethic, commitment to the community and her cooking.
“Danielle brings a lot to the Oxford business community as well as the entire area. ... I know I speak for many, many folks when I saw we are all very, very proud of her,” he said.
Williamson was humble in her acceptance of the award.
“I have never received an award like this,” she said, recalling watching others receive such recognition at past events. “I would never have thought that I would be standing up here receiving it myself.”
She credited her family, Dave and MaryEl Emerson, her employees and customers for their support. She had special words about her father, Dan Marshman who took his own life in 2001.
“My father had a huge impact on my life and those of you who knew him, know that he was dedicated to Oxford and Chenango County,” she said. “I could never live up to his abilities, but he did teach me to always be there for others. I have done this by becoming involved with suicide and depression awareness and prevention.”
In June, Williamson will walk in his memory as part of Team Chenango in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Overnight, an 18-mile dusk ‘til dawn walk through New York City to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.
Non-Profit Agency of the Year
