The Audubon Chamber of Commerce held its annual Community Banquet & Auction, Monday. Awards presented during the evening include: 2016 Citizen of the Year – Kate Hargens; 2016 Junior Citizen of the Year – Rebecca Nelson; 2016 Community Service Award – Audubon County Fair Board.

Kate Hargens won the Citizen of the Year Award for, among other things: spearheading – through grant applications and fundraising efforts – the establishment of the Children’s Nest Childcare Center in conjunction with the Friendship Home;  Being a prominent spokesperson for the Audubon County Early Childhood Organization; being active with her church committee; serving on the Rose Theater Renovation Board; and serving on the grant-writing advisory council for the Audubon School District’s “Launch” Program. She and her husband, Dr. Travis Hargens, have three children.

Rebecca Nelson – daughter of Bob and Janet Nelson – won Junior Citizen of the Year for being an active part of her school and community, and being an “Intelligent, compassionate, unselfish and focused young lady.” Nelson is Vice President of the Audubon School District’s National Honor Society, and has served as Student Body President. She’s been heavily involved in preserving the historic Ross Elevator, and has packed lunches for needy children as well as having fed hungry youth for the New Opportunities organization’s Summer Feeding Program. She’s also certified in CPR. After she graduates this spring, Rebecca plans to attend either the University of Iowa or UNI, majoring in Speech-Language in hopes of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist.

And, the Audubon County Fair Board won the 2016 Community Award for their efforts to organize and run the Audubon County Fair, hosting numerous activities all-year around, and for maintaining and keeping-up the fairgrounds. Current Fair Board members include: Greg Jensen; Deanna Hansen; Gary VanAernam; Steve Randeris; Mike Bauer; Randy Blohm; Dan Madsen; Austin Hansen; Trent Petersen; Joe Vais; Neal Mesek; Steve Hansen, and Taylor Lewis.