As John Stanforth accepted an award recognizing his construction business’ longevity at the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting, he told a story of some landscaping done at his house in 1997.

It was around Thanksgiving, cold, rainy and miserable, he recalled. Trying to get the job done before winter, the landscaping crew was working right through the hardships. Looking out his window into a hard downpour, he saw the crew couldn’t even push the wheelbarrow through the mud.

The crew actually consisted of two guys who carried the wheelbarrows full of mulch over the ground. Stanforth said when he saw that, he knew their business was going to make it.

Those two men were brothers Mike and Tim McCarty, who formed McCarty Gardens together in 1996. Their Sabina business was honored with the Small Business Achievement Award Thursday at the meeting. Mike accepted the award and dedicated it to his brother, Tim, who passed away in November 2006 as the result of a car crash.

As McCarty made his way to the podium, Chamber President Karen Haley said, “Mike and Tim have always taken great pride in providing top quality products with excellent customer service. They are a community-minded business, giving back to many projects such as CMH’s Charity Ball, the Foster J. Boyd, M.D., Regional Cancer Center, Earth Day, Project Trust, United Way, Community Care Hospice, the many community parks, Sabina 2000, our schools and colleges, Leadership Clinton and, of course, the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce.”

Speaking into the microphone, Mike McCarty said, “A lot of the reason we are who we are is because of my brother, Tim, so this goes to him. Thank you.”

The Large Business Achievement Award was presented to Liberty Savings Bank. Haley detailed the transformation the bank has gone through from its beginning in 1889 as the Lynchburg Building and Loan Association to its position when James Powell purchased it in 1984 to today with expansion into three additional states — Colorado, South Carolina and Florida. The bank has increased its network of retail offices to 40 full-service financial centers. Owners are Jim and Jack Powell. Accepting the award were Geoffrey Phillips, Scott Holmer, Jerry Herskowitz, Darlene Hicks and Sherri Donner.

Mark Bush with Bush Auto Place was named Business Leader of the Year. The award was established in 1996 to recognize and celebrate individual acomplishments. Haley said Bush plays a significant role in shaping the chamber and has contributed to its collective success for more than 25 years.

“[He] is indeed a humble and generous man. I am proud to say I have served with him as a member of the Business Advisory Council at Laurel Oaks for the last 12 years, if not more,” Haley said. Bush has been a member of MRDD for the past 10 years, a YMCA board member, part of the Clinton County Foundation and serves as a board member with the Wilmington Youth Football. In 1987, he began managing his father’s business and became owner in 2002.

“This award is our way of saying thank you to your friend and ours,” said Haley.

“Now, that was a shock. I just want to say thank you very much to Clinton County, the surrounding counties and Wilmington for supporting us very well for 30-some years,” he said.

Gary Kuntz, chair of the chamber’s board of directors, welcomed the large crowd, acknowledged sponsors and introduced the 2008 Board of Directors, who are Mary Houghtaling, Jack Tamplin, Michael Schmitt, Terry Scherz, Martin Godly, Galen G. Gordon, Bill Marine, Karen Buckley, John Limbert and Phil Swindler.

Haley introduced keynote speaker Timothy McBride, senior vice president for U.S. hub operations at DHL Express USA. After McBride spoke, Haley gave him a copy of “A Place Called Home” in appreciation.

The meeting was sandwiched into the noon portion of the regional leadership seminar sponsored by the community leadership programs of Clinton, Warren and Clermont counties.

Haley talked of the chamber’s successes, first praising the accomplishments of the Highland Fayette Clinton [HFC] Safety Council, which the chamber created four years ago.

“Within this short term, we have already distributed over $671,000 to area businesses. This is on top of the already 50 to 90 percent savings that our members get through their premium discounts,” she said. “We are also striving to be the Safety Council of the Year.”

The chamber has been publishing a newsletter for seven years distributed within the News Journal. Haley has written a business news column for 12 and a half years in the WNJ. The chamber also has produced its third edition of the Clinton County Profile Publication, which is distributed locally, regionally, nationally and globally. The chamber’s newly designed Web site also has scored a high number of visitor hits. Since January, the chamber’s site has received more than 240,000 hits and 119,000 visits. The pages most looked at are resources, economic development and membership.

Haley is in her third term as a board of director of the CEOs of the state of Ohio. The Clinton County Alliance for Economic Development group has grown and is facilitated by Clinton County Administrator Mark Brooker and Regional Planning Director Chris Schock. The chamber also has created monthly business network discussions where business come together to build relationships.

An ambassador program was unveiled in September 2007. Ambassadors include Darlene Hicks with Liberty Savings Bank, Mark Bryan with Bryan Financial, Lori Holcomb with the Wilmington News Journal, Jennifer Furber with DHL Express and Brian Bourgraf with Ferno Washington. These business members help the chamber at events throughout the community.

Hicks was recognized at the meeting for her outstanding service as an ambassador.

Introducing Hicks, Haley said, “She’s been vital. She’s been very important to the program. Actually, she helped create it.”

In 2007, four outreach educational programs were produced at the Murphy Theatre with The Von Trapp Children that kicked off the chamber’s 50th anniversary. In September, the chamber held an anniversary celebration recognizing members over the last 50 years. Haley said over the course of one year, more than 5,000 business members and guests attended the annual home and garden show, the Von Trapp event, the annual meeting, the golf outing and other chamber business meetings.

Haley said an aggressive calendar has been planned for 2008. On Sept. 16, the chamber will host Disney Institute at the Roberts Centre. Facilitators from Orlando, Fla., will help businesses do business management among other things. Since its inception in 1996 to 2007, the chamber’s annual meeting and recognition luncheon has honored and recognized 60 businesses and individuals.

Haley also recognized area businesses who are or have crossed milestones this year. Ned Thompson was recognized for Executive Bancorp’s 10-year anniversary. John Stanforth was honored for John Stanforth Construction’s 30th anniversary. Naylor Furniture passed a huge milestone, Haley said, reaching its 60th anniversary.

Haley also recognized Fisher Lumber, which is going out of business after 143 years. Established in 1865 by James W. Fisher, it is now owned by David Camp. Haley said it is the oldest business in Clinton County which has stayed in the original location. Cindy Camp accepted the award on behalf of her husband, thanking the company’s many supporters over the years.

“We are coming to the close of an era. Things change. But we really appreciate the support of the people who have been there for us,” Camp said.

“Part of history will be gone, but never forgotten,” Haley said.