Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce hosts annual dinner
The Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce Saturday honored one of the most respected music educators in all of Illinois during its annual banquet held at the Pinckneyville Inn.
PCHS director of music Stephen Cannedy and wife Tricia shared the night with two other honorees. The Person of the Year was Rhonda Shubert. The Business of the Year was the weekly hometown Pinckneyville Press newspaper.
For three decades, Mr. Cannedy has been the face and conscience of music at Pinckneyville Community High School. Mr. Cannedy attended Lincolnwood High School in Raymond, Illinois. He received his Bachelorand Masters degrees in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University. Mr. Cannedy has been a guest director for festival bands, IMEA Chairman, and hosted Marching Contest and other musical events. Mr. Cannedy directs the concert band, pep band, marching band, Music Makers, poms, and is the Fine Arts Department Chair. Mr. Cannedy resides in Pinckneyville with his wife Tricia and daughter Ali. In his brief remarks he gave a great deal of credit to principal Dustin Foutch and Supt. Keith Hagene for the success of the program.
Rhonda Schubert has been an almost perennial nominee for Person of the Year. Her work in the community as church and youth leader and community organizer has been so strong, the chamber felt it was overdue in honoring her good works.
It was a working night for camera-toting staff members of the local Pinckneyville Press newspaper who weekly bring the news of the community to its readers. The newspaper received the Pinckneyville chambers Business of the Year honor.
The Pinckneyville Inn hosted the event.
The theme of the night was "The Magic in the Chamber" with chamber president Jessica Holder recognizing members of the chamber board and members. The 6 p.m. social hour was followed by a catered dinner that featured Italian beef and pasta and a performance by magician Chris Egelston.
The business meeting and awards portion of the evening began at approximately 8 p.m.