The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce earlier this month lauded a number of area businesses for their contributions to the community during the 91^st annual Charlemagne Awards presentation. The 2012 winner of the Charlemagne Award was Marce Van Glabek.

The chamber, in a release, said the Charlemagne Award is a lifetime achievement award given to an individual with a distinguished history of service to the community, regardless of St. Charles Chamber of Commerce membership. In 1968, the chamber created the award, which was based upon a legend written by C.V. Amenoff, who served as a mayor of St. Charles from 1969-1973.

Also honored was Merilee Curtis, whom the chamber named the recipient of the L.E.A.P. Award, given annually since 1995 to a woman who exemplifies leadership, excellence, achievement and professionalism in helping women.

The chamber also handed out other awards, including one to the Law Offices of Jotham S. Stein P.C. Stein is a candidate for St. Charles mayor.

Civic Image Award

Created in 1993, the award recognizes chamber members for “humanitarian efforts and/or civic or personal projects outside of business” that enhance the image of the community. The 2012 winners are:

• City of St. Charles
• Greater St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Haines Middle School 8^th Grade Football Team
• Pottawatomie Garden Club of St. Charles
• St. Charles Arts Council
• St. Charles Park District

Community Development Award

The Community Development Award was created in 1989 to honor significant investment in the business community by a chamber member. The award goes to businesses for new construction or extensive remodeling or renovation projects. The 2012 winners are:

• Ameriprise Financial
• Aquascape
• Autumn Leaves of St. Charles
• Cadence Physician Group
• Culver’s of St. Charles
• Law Offices of Jotham S. Stein P.C.
• Savers
• Spotted Fox Ale House
• St. Charles Toyota
• Szechwan Restaurant
• Wild Monk

Stein, in a release his campaign issued last week about the award, said, “I am honored to receive the Charlemagne Award for Community Development for the renovations to my St. Charles office on Third Street in the historic section of our city. I want to thank my assistants Valerie Axen and Cindy Goodrich for their fantastic help turning our building into a place we can all be proud to come to work. I am fortunate to have employees who are committed to my business and have a great sense of style.”

Community Image Award

The Community Image Award was created in 1978 to honor chamber members who have made significant improvement to their business or business location to such things as landscaping, interiors, exteriors, signs, structure, and development of new structures. The 2012 winners include:

• Alps Wire Rope Corporation
• Onesti Entertainment Arcada Theatre
• In Motion Whole Health
• Moss-Norris Funeral Home
• Select Health Chiropractic