Profiles for 2017 Winners
Duane R. Lund Award for Lifetime Achievement
Steve Sveom
The ancient Greeks had two words for time. Chronos which is quantitative - it measures chronologically - like clock time- seconds, minutes hours and years.
For example, Steve and Toni along with their two children, Naomi and Daniel came to Faith Lutheran Church in June 1992 with previous calls in Brooklyn, New York and Bemidji, and retired Dec. 31, 2016. Currently Naomi, her husband Nick and son, Philip live in Slovakia where both Nick and Naomi are ELCA teachers in a local school. Daniel is doing an Orthopedic surgery residency in Omaha, Neb. Steve and Toni, who teaches kindergarten English language learners part time, now live in Maplewood. Where Chronos is quantitative time, Kairos is qualitative. It’s a measure of moments, not seconds. Kairos refers to the right moment, the opportune moment. Some Kairos moments would be: the time he delivered the sermon from the roof of the church, although there was a time the police and rescue squad did help Steve off the roof. There was the sermon while standing on top of a tall step ladder in the sanctuary. This was the moment Steve realized he did have a fear of heights. And then there was the infamous Elvis Presley sighting as part of the food shelf fund raising program; this was the time Steve realized he was no Elvis. Because of moments like these, we realized we were sharing time with a special and talented person.
About leadership, Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People really don’t care how much the leader knows until they know how much the leader cares.” It can be said that Steve genuinely cared about people not only in our church but in our community. As Jesus said in his parable of the Talents, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Steve brought to our church the Holden Evening Service, service of anointing and laying on of hands, wrote scripts for Bible School, participated in youth trips to Atlanta and New York, encouraged support for the food shelf.
Steve was also a “good and faithful servant” in our community with his involvement in the Staples Food Shelf, the Ministerial Association, Dollars for Scholars, youth baseball, Central MN Boys Choir, Staples Motley Area Arts Council, Staples Motley Beyond Poverty, CARE Ministry and volunteer chaplain work.
Steve also embraced his role in the community with his ‘open door’ policy to all in our community’. He willingly baptized, married, and buried any who came to the church seeking assistance. Steve was a “good and faithful servant” for Faith Lutheran Church and our community.
The ancient Greeks had two words for time. Chronos which is quantitative - it measures chronologically - like clock time- seconds, minutes hours and years.
For example, Steve and Toni along with their two children, Naomi and Daniel came to Faith Lutheran Church in June 1992 with previous calls in Brooklyn, New York and Bemidji, and retired Dec. 31, 2016. Currently Naomi, her husband Nick and son, Philip live in Slovakia where both Nick and Naomi are ELCA teachers in a local school. Daniel is doing an Orthopedic surgery residency in Omaha, Neb. Steve and Toni, who teaches kindergarten English language learners part time, now live in Maplewood. Where Chronos is quantitative time, Kairos is qualitative. It’s a measure of moments, not seconds. Kairos refers to the right moment, the opportune moment. Some Kairos moments would be: the time he delivered the sermon from the roof of the church, although there was a time the police and rescue squad did help Steve off the roof. There was the sermon while standing on top of a tall step ladder in the sanctuary. This was the moment Steve realized he did have a fear of heights. And then there was the infamous Elvis Presley sighting as part of the food shelf fund raising program; this was the time Steve realized he was no Elvis. Because of moments like these, we realized we were sharing time with a special and talented person.
About leadership, Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People really don’t care how much the leader knows until they know how much the leader cares.” It can be said that Steve genuinely cared about people not only in our church but in our community. As Jesus said in his parable of the Talents, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Steve brought to our church the Holden Evening Service, service of anointing and laying on of hands, wrote scripts for Bible School, participated in youth trips to Atlanta and New York, encouraged support for the food shelf.
Steve was also a “good and faithful servant” in our community with his involvement in the Staples Food Shelf, the Ministerial Association, Dollars for Scholars, youth baseball, Central MN Boys Choir, Staples Motley Area Arts Council, Staples Motley Beyond Poverty, CARE Ministry and volunteer chaplain work.
Steve also embraced his role in the community with his ‘open door’ policy to all in our community’. He willingly baptized, married, and buried any who came to the church seeking assistance. Steve was a “good and faithful servant” for Faith Lutheran Church and our community.
Outstanding Citizen
Gail Honek
Humility. Compassion Caring. These are words best used to describe Gail Honek, this year’s recipientof the Outstanding Citizen Award.
Gail is known in the community as a positive, motivated and dedicated person who is always looking for ways to help people. These are traits she credits to her childhood and being raised to treat people as she wants to be treated. Specifically, Gail credits spending time with her grandmother, who taught her the importance of caring and supporting children throughout their lives.
This strong foundation of faith and love in her childhood led her to a career in social work. Gail worked for 15 years as a social worker for Wadena County Social Services, then as a school social worker at Motley Elementary and Motley-Staples Middle School for 20 years. Gail believes that this work energized her and renewed her faith in the good in all people.
Gail and her husband Tom moved to Staples in 1975 after meeting at Bemidji State University. Tom, a teacher, worked for the Staples-Motley School district until his retirement. They raised three children, Carrie, Tim and Michelle, all of whom are Staples-Motley graduates.
While raising the children, Gail gave back by her involvement in 4-H, church activities, sports, music and extracurricular activities. After raising her children and her retirement, Gail continued to look for ways to continue to make a difference in other people’s lives.
While Gail loves to care for her six grandchildren, she is also active in many community programs. She has been in Kinship since 2009, having served as a board member and partner. She is active in Staples ’93 Lions, having served as president and organizing activities such as the Christmas For Kids and Easter Eggstravaganza.
Gail has been a board member of CARE Ministries since 2009, involved in the Back to School Fair, Great Coat Giveaway and community meals. She is an active member of Sacred Heart Church, Staples, and as a Circle 15 member. Gail and Tom deliver communion to homebound church members.
She has been active in the Staples Motley Beyond Poverty group, having served as Chair and currently as secretary. In this organization she has worked on the Community Connect Day, Meth Forum, Step Beyond (women’s support group) and National Night Out. She is also an active member in Todd County Citizens Against Drugs, Lakewood’s Healthy Kids Collaborative, Todd and Wadena County Corrections and CCY advisory boards, Chair of the Retired Educators of MN (REAM), and a member of the Paint the Town committee.
Gail’s tremendous dedication to making her community a better place makes her the 2017 Outstanding Citizen.
Humility. Compassion Caring. These are words best used to describe Gail Honek, this year’s recipientof the Outstanding Citizen Award.
Gail is known in the community as a positive, motivated and dedicated person who is always looking for ways to help people. These are traits she credits to her childhood and being raised to treat people as she wants to be treated. Specifically, Gail credits spending time with her grandmother, who taught her the importance of caring and supporting children throughout their lives.
This strong foundation of faith and love in her childhood led her to a career in social work. Gail worked for 15 years as a social worker for Wadena County Social Services, then as a school social worker at Motley Elementary and Motley-Staples Middle School for 20 years. Gail believes that this work energized her and renewed her faith in the good in all people.
Gail and her husband Tom moved to Staples in 1975 after meeting at Bemidji State University. Tom, a teacher, worked for the Staples-Motley School district until his retirement. They raised three children, Carrie, Tim and Michelle, all of whom are Staples-Motley graduates.
While raising the children, Gail gave back by her involvement in 4-H, church activities, sports, music and extracurricular activities. After raising her children and her retirement, Gail continued to look for ways to continue to make a difference in other people’s lives.
While Gail loves to care for her six grandchildren, she is also active in many community programs. She has been in Kinship since 2009, having served as a board member and partner. She is active in Staples ’93 Lions, having served as president and organizing activities such as the Christmas For Kids and Easter Eggstravaganza.
Gail has been a board member of CARE Ministries since 2009, involved in the Back to School Fair, Great Coat Giveaway and community meals. She is an active member of Sacred Heart Church, Staples, and as a Circle 15 member. Gail and Tom deliver communion to homebound church members.
She has been active in the Staples Motley Beyond Poverty group, having served as Chair and currently as secretary. In this organization she has worked on the Community Connect Day, Meth Forum, Step Beyond (women’s support group) and National Night Out. She is also an active member in Todd County Citizens Against Drugs, Lakewood’s Healthy Kids Collaborative, Todd and Wadena County Corrections and CCY advisory boards, Chair of the Retired Educators of MN (REAM), and a member of the Paint the Town committee.
Gail’s tremendous dedication to making her community a better place makes her the 2017 Outstanding Citizen.
Chairman's Award
Duane Strack
The nominators all decided it was time to let our communities of Motley and Staples know about a low key and quiet contributor/volunteer in our midst. It was not hard to find adjectives to describe Duane Strack.
A loyal volunteer of Living Legacy Gardens for the past fourteen years. Question to Shirley Judd as to what’s going on with those piles of dirt and can I help? Okay, I’ll be there on Tuesday. Dependable or let someone know he couldn’t make it. Creative as in I’ll bring a tool or make one. Reliable in the spring, summer or fall to weed, prune, mulch, set up the ponds and fountain, resetting the brick pathways to make it easier to maneuver a stroller or wheel chair through the gardens, help build a pergola and butterfly house, fund raising, wreath making in the fall to name a few of his activities. All these things he does with a goal in mind from start to finish. Duane is a wonderful and very positive asset to the gardens.
Duane joined the Motley Area Historical Society because he felt he could bring some new ideas that would help rejuvenate the group. He became president and helped build the Bell Tower in The Motley Veterans’ Park where the old school bell is housed. In 2010 he headed up The Gathering which was a very successful showcase of 47 area families. This day told the story how families helped mold the area.
Another group was the Staples Motley Area Arts Council. He came in as a director and became president. He organized a lot of the information on the computer. Duane did a lot and still does setup as needed for summer Music in the NP Park. He was always available for setup and take down for artists at Centennial Auditorium. Prairie Fire Children’s Theater was also another area he helped with in the summer for over 70 children ages 7-18.
Duane volunteers on a regular basis. He does not expect recognition, but thanks for letting him know he does make a BIG DIFFERENCE in our communities.
Duane was born in Stearns County, lived on a farm, educated in St. Cloud, is a retired Municipal Sales Rep. for DeZurk in Sartell, built a cabin in 1969 and in 2000 a retirement home on Lake Alexander which he sold in 2015 and moved to Motley, managed 40 acres of wildlife area for upland game habitat in western Morrison County, Chief Executive Officer for Amasa, Inc., past secretary for Brainerd Lakes Audubon Society, current member of England Prairie Pioneer Club in Verndale, enjoys nature walks, Pickle Ball and being a Motley Rocket.
The nominators all decided it was time to let our communities of Motley and Staples know about a low key and quiet contributor/volunteer in our midst. It was not hard to find adjectives to describe Duane Strack.
A loyal volunteer of Living Legacy Gardens for the past fourteen years. Question to Shirley Judd as to what’s going on with those piles of dirt and can I help? Okay, I’ll be there on Tuesday. Dependable or let someone know he couldn’t make it. Creative as in I’ll bring a tool or make one. Reliable in the spring, summer or fall to weed, prune, mulch, set up the ponds and fountain, resetting the brick pathways to make it easier to maneuver a stroller or wheel chair through the gardens, help build a pergola and butterfly house, fund raising, wreath making in the fall to name a few of his activities. All these things he does with a goal in mind from start to finish. Duane is a wonderful and very positive asset to the gardens.
Duane joined the Motley Area Historical Society because he felt he could bring some new ideas that would help rejuvenate the group. He became president and helped build the Bell Tower in The Motley Veterans’ Park where the old school bell is housed. In 2010 he headed up The Gathering which was a very successful showcase of 47 area families. This day told the story how families helped mold the area.
Another group was the Staples Motley Area Arts Council. He came in as a director and became president. He organized a lot of the information on the computer. Duane did a lot and still does setup as needed for summer Music in the NP Park. He was always available for setup and take down for artists at Centennial Auditorium. Prairie Fire Children’s Theater was also another area he helped with in the summer for over 70 children ages 7-18.
Duane volunteers on a regular basis. He does not expect recognition, but thanks for letting him know he does make a BIG DIFFERENCE in our communities.
Duane was born in Stearns County, lived on a farm, educated in St. Cloud, is a retired Municipal Sales Rep. for DeZurk in Sartell, built a cabin in 1969 and in 2000 a retirement home on Lake Alexander which he sold in 2015 and moved to Motley, managed 40 acres of wildlife area for upland game habitat in western Morrison County, Chief Executive Officer for Amasa, Inc., past secretary for Brainerd Lakes Audubon Society, current member of England Prairie Pioneer Club in Verndale, enjoys nature walks, Pickle Ball and being a Motley Rocket.
Outstanding Youth
Tesla Anderson
Tesla graduated from Connections High School in Staples-Motley in 2017. She is the daughter of Denise Johnson and Ray Anderson and has lived in Staples her entire life.
School staff nominated Tesla for this award because she has proven herself to be a caring, giving, intelligent youth lady. Specifically, she has volunteered to help in the special education department at Staples-Motley High School above and beyond a typical volunteer. Every day she helped the most vulnerable students who need assistance walking, eating, etc.
Each week Tesla helped in Adaptive Phy Ed including swimming with students. Over the past two years, she has spent countless hours volunteering.
She became an advocate for students with special needs, earning the Level 1 Special Olympics coaching certification as well as acting as a Unified Partner in some events. Last spring, she paid a prom fee so she could attend the Special Education prom. She helped at prom, but also just enjoyed dancing with the other attendees.
Right before graduation, she took the Para Pro certification test and hopes to work as a paraprofessional in a school system.
School was not always Tesla’s favorite past time. As a young teenager, she often chose NOT to go to school, which resulted in truancy charges. When asked what changed, she replied that she just realized non-attendance wasn’t an option.. She thought “I just have to make the best of it.”
During her junior year she joined Connections, began volunteering, and stepped it up to become a student who staff would say was a “go to” student. She was always willing to lend a helping hand.
She has managed to do this volunteer work while successfully completing her senior year with A’s and B’s and while holding down a job 4-Legged Lodge in Motley.
Her future plans include continuing pursuing paraprofessional work in a school and hopefully working in the music industry.
Tesla graduated from Connections High School in Staples-Motley in 2017. She is the daughter of Denise Johnson and Ray Anderson and has lived in Staples her entire life.
School staff nominated Tesla for this award because she has proven herself to be a caring, giving, intelligent youth lady. Specifically, she has volunteered to help in the special education department at Staples-Motley High School above and beyond a typical volunteer. Every day she helped the most vulnerable students who need assistance walking, eating, etc.
Each week Tesla helped in Adaptive Phy Ed including swimming with students. Over the past two years, she has spent countless hours volunteering.
She became an advocate for students with special needs, earning the Level 1 Special Olympics coaching certification as well as acting as a Unified Partner in some events. Last spring, she paid a prom fee so she could attend the Special Education prom. She helped at prom, but also just enjoyed dancing with the other attendees.
Right before graduation, she took the Para Pro certification test and hopes to work as a paraprofessional in a school system.
School was not always Tesla’s favorite past time. As a young teenager, she often chose NOT to go to school, which resulted in truancy charges. When asked what changed, she replied that she just realized non-attendance wasn’t an option.. She thought “I just have to make the best of it.”
During her junior year she joined Connections, began volunteering, and stepped it up to become a student who staff would say was a “go to” student. She was always willing to lend a helping hand.
She has managed to do this volunteer work while successfully completing her senior year with A’s and B’s and while holding down a job 4-Legged Lodge in Motley.
Her future plans include continuing pursuing paraprofessional work in a school and hopefully working in the music industry.
Outstanding Organization
Staples Area Men's Chorus
Members of the chorus include: seated, from left, Ron Denning, Eugene Floistad, Eli Uban, Dick Newmann, Don Hoffmann; second row, from left, Dave Fabian, Bob Klick, Dave Anderson, Mike Gold, Rob Freelove, Dave Bengtson, Lowell Sanvik, Jerry Reck, Ken Klose, Bernie Nelson; third row, from left, John Gorton, Kevin Olsen, James Downs, Steve Sing, Doug Larsen, Christian Breczinski, Mike Blessing, Gary Paskewitz, Jim Uhlman; back row, from left, Robin Collins, Pat Lunneman, Erik Dovre, Jurgen Brunkhorst, Jim Sauer, Tim Rice, Andrew Bates, Derek Prindle, Steve Uban, Adam Marquardt, Caleb Horn. Some members were not available for the photo.
Whether you’ve heard them whilst they donned a matronly scarf singing “Finnan Haddie” in falsetto, listened as they solemnly sang the verses of a patriotic song or parts of a major work by Vivaldi, you have no doubt been wowed and thoroughly entertained by the Staples Area Men’s Chorus.
This organization of boys and men has been a cultural resource to Central Minnesota since 1935. Since its reformation in 1971, the SAMC has had the mission to provide high quality and diverse choral experiences for singers and audiences of all ages in Central Minnesota.
Since 2002 the group has hosted a day-long event called “Real Men Sing”. Choirs of young men from area middle schools, high schools and colleges are invited to sing together (over 200 strong) with the SAMC while being directed by Dr. Axel Theimer, a former Vienna Choir boy, Dr. Christopher Aspaas, who provided a commissioned work to the choir, and many other noteworthy directors and clinicians. With help from grants and ticket sales, the group provides all the music, food and muscle to set up the event. The only thing required of the attendees is transportation.
The concept of the Real Men Sing event was originally to recruit men to the choir but has transformed into the simple goal of helping young men realize that they can continue their passion of singing for the rest of their lives.
The SAMC’s performance schedule begins each October when they host Real Men Sing. In early December they join with other local choirs in either a community Christmas concert or a major work accompanied by an orchestra. In the spring they hold their more informal “Afterglow” concert as well as a dinner theatre or a collaboration with other groups. They also do a performance at the care center in Staples and attend a “Big Sing” event with other adult male choruses from surrounding states.
In addition to these performances, they also are frequently asked to perform for other events durng the year. This past February they were invited to join other members of the Associated Male Choruses of America in a performance at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City.
President, Kevin Olsen, shared that each member learns, “A Toast”, an adaptation by former member, Paul Montan, to salute the audience. We now salute the Staples Area Men’s Chorus in a job well done - thanks for keeping Staples “The City That Sings!”
Members of the chorus include: seated, from left, Ron Denning, Eugene Floistad, Eli Uban, Dick Newmann, Don Hoffmann; second row, from left, Dave Fabian, Bob Klick, Dave Anderson, Mike Gold, Rob Freelove, Dave Bengtson, Lowell Sanvik, Jerry Reck, Ken Klose, Bernie Nelson; third row, from left, John Gorton, Kevin Olsen, James Downs, Steve Sing, Doug Larsen, Christian Breczinski, Mike Blessing, Gary Paskewitz, Jim Uhlman; back row, from left, Robin Collins, Pat Lunneman, Erik Dovre, Jurgen Brunkhorst, Jim Sauer, Tim Rice, Andrew Bates, Derek Prindle, Steve Uban, Adam Marquardt, Caleb Horn. Some members were not available for the photo.
Whether you’ve heard them whilst they donned a matronly scarf singing “Finnan Haddie” in falsetto, listened as they solemnly sang the verses of a patriotic song or parts of a major work by Vivaldi, you have no doubt been wowed and thoroughly entertained by the Staples Area Men’s Chorus.
This organization of boys and men has been a cultural resource to Central Minnesota since 1935. Since its reformation in 1971, the SAMC has had the mission to provide high quality and diverse choral experiences for singers and audiences of all ages in Central Minnesota.
Since 2002 the group has hosted a day-long event called “Real Men Sing”. Choirs of young men from area middle schools, high schools and colleges are invited to sing together (over 200 strong) with the SAMC while being directed by Dr. Axel Theimer, a former Vienna Choir boy, Dr. Christopher Aspaas, who provided a commissioned work to the choir, and many other noteworthy directors and clinicians. With help from grants and ticket sales, the group provides all the music, food and muscle to set up the event. The only thing required of the attendees is transportation.
The concept of the Real Men Sing event was originally to recruit men to the choir but has transformed into the simple goal of helping young men realize that they can continue their passion of singing for the rest of their lives.
The SAMC’s performance schedule begins each October when they host Real Men Sing. In early December they join with other local choirs in either a community Christmas concert or a major work accompanied by an orchestra. In the spring they hold their more informal “Afterglow” concert as well as a dinner theatre or a collaboration with other groups. They also do a performance at the care center in Staples and attend a “Big Sing” event with other adult male choruses from surrounding states.
In addition to these performances, they also are frequently asked to perform for other events durng the year. This past February they were invited to join other members of the Associated Male Choruses of America in a performance at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City.
President, Kevin Olsen, shared that each member learns, “A Toast”, an adaptation by former member, Paul Montan, to salute the audience. We now salute the Staples Area Men’s Chorus in a job well done - thanks for keeping Staples “The City That Sings!”
Outstanding Business
Longbella Drug
As one of the longest continuously operating businesses in the community, Longbella Drug has a history of serving the community in a friendly, knowledgeable and conscientious manner.
The business was started prior to 1917 by Phil Adams and was purchased by Sam Skaife in 1926. The pharmacy was originally located in the 100 block of 4th Street NE, Staples, approximately where the main entrance to First International Bank and Trust is now located.
Following his education at the North Dakota Agriculture College (now NDSU) School of Pharmacy, C. Richard (Dick) Longbella served with the 87th Infantry Division during World War II in France and Germany from 1943 through the end of the war. Dick came to Staples in 1946 to work for Sam Skaife. After Sam’s death in 1962, Dick purchased the business.
The pharmacy moved to its present location at 421 E. 2nd Ave. in 1947, occupying only the east half of what is the current store. The west half was a men’s clothing store owned by Lew Ahlness. Ahlness’s store closed at the end of 1963 and the drug store eventually took over the entire space.
Longbella kept the Skaife name for the business until 1971, when he officially changed the name to Longbella Drug Store. Dick died suddenly of a heart attack in 1983 and his wife, June took over the business with assistance from their two youngest children, Lani and Chad. Lani and Chad took over the business after June’s death in 2003 and continue its present operation.
Lani and Chad expanded the business to include locations with the Lakewood Health System clinic in Motley in 1998, the Pillager clinic in 2003 and at the Lakewood Hospital and Clinic, Staples, in 2006.
In addition to providing professional pharmaceutical services, Longbella Drug offers a wide variety of gift items for sale. Over the years, the business has also provided a friendly, family atmosphere for many employees.
As to the future, no major changes are anticipated for the business. The family traditon may be carried forward by Lani’s son, Tanner Roberts, who is currently studying to become a pharmacist and Chad’s son Grant, currently working towards a degree in Business Administration.
Having survived and continuing to thrive as a small locally owned business in the age of the “big box” retail milieu, Longbella Drug is the 2017 honoree as the Staples Motley Community Foundation’s Outstanding Business.
From left are Debbie Gruhn, Alice Sunde, Lani Longbella Roberts, Chad Longbella, Tanner Roberts, Mike Mertens and Sally Mathewson. Some employees were unavailable for the photo.
As one of the longest continuously operating businesses in the community, Longbella Drug has a history of serving the community in a friendly, knowledgeable and conscientious manner.
The business was started prior to 1917 by Phil Adams and was purchased by Sam Skaife in 1926. The pharmacy was originally located in the 100 block of 4th Street NE, Staples, approximately where the main entrance to First International Bank and Trust is now located.
Following his education at the North Dakota Agriculture College (now NDSU) School of Pharmacy, C. Richard (Dick) Longbella served with the 87th Infantry Division during World War II in France and Germany from 1943 through the end of the war. Dick came to Staples in 1946 to work for Sam Skaife. After Sam’s death in 1962, Dick purchased the business.
The pharmacy moved to its present location at 421 E. 2nd Ave. in 1947, occupying only the east half of what is the current store. The west half was a men’s clothing store owned by Lew Ahlness. Ahlness’s store closed at the end of 1963 and the drug store eventually took over the entire space.
Longbella kept the Skaife name for the business until 1971, when he officially changed the name to Longbella Drug Store. Dick died suddenly of a heart attack in 1983 and his wife, June took over the business with assistance from their two youngest children, Lani and Chad. Lani and Chad took over the business after June’s death in 2003 and continue its present operation.
Lani and Chad expanded the business to include locations with the Lakewood Health System clinic in Motley in 1998, the Pillager clinic in 2003 and at the Lakewood Hospital and Clinic, Staples, in 2006.
In addition to providing professional pharmaceutical services, Longbella Drug offers a wide variety of gift items for sale. Over the years, the business has also provided a friendly, family atmosphere for many employees.
As to the future, no major changes are anticipated for the business. The family traditon may be carried forward by Lani’s son, Tanner Roberts, who is currently studying to become a pharmacist and Chad’s son Grant, currently working towards a degree in Business Administration.
Having survived and continuing to thrive as a small locally owned business in the age of the “big box” retail milieu, Longbella Drug is the 2017 honoree as the Staples Motley Community Foundation’s Outstanding Business.
From left are Debbie Gruhn, Alice Sunde, Lani Longbella Roberts, Chad Longbella, Tanner Roberts, Mike Mertens and Sally Mathewson. Some employees were unavailable for the photo.