North Central Chamber honors businesses, service at annual ‘Night of the Rising Stars’

The stars were indeed shining bright Tuesday night inside the grand ballroom at Twelve Acres in Smithfield, where the North Central Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards dinner.

Entitled “Night of the Rising Stars,” the event featured a keynote address from first term Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, along with honors for outstanding accomplishments in the business, professional and educational communities.

The event’s highlights were many, and included Gene Hutnak Photography being named the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year.

“A photograph is so much more than a picture,” said Chamber Executive Director Deborah Ramos, “and Gene Hutnak Photography captures whet matters most in life.”

Ramos praised owners Gene and Linda Hutnak while presenting the prestigious honor, and noted how the couple believes strongly in giving back to the community and donates part of the proceeds from special events to organizations such as Animals Depend on People Too, A Wish Come True, Tri-Town and Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Stephen and Sherri O’Connor, who own and operate Nickle Creek Vineyard, were honored with the Chamber’s Rising Star of the Year award.

The vineyard, which is named after the O’Connors’ children Nicholas and Kyle, began producing and selling its first wines three years ago. To date, Nickle Creek has produce more than 1,500 cases of premium wine and offers 15 different varieties.

Washington Trust, which is well known for giving back to the community in a number of ways, was honored with the Chamber’s annual Community Service Award.

Shortly after Washington Trust opened its Johnston branch on Atwood Avenue, the state’s oldest operating bank signed on as the official sponsor of the Chamber’s Apple Festival, which is held every September inside Johnston War Memorial Park.

“While all banks do community service, The Washington Trust Company does more than simply throw money at it,” Ramos said. “In keeping with the bank’s level of service and attention to detail philosophy, local branch manager Dan Orovitz and his employees take an active role in supporting the local community and businesses in their footprint.”

Rosemarie Borengasser of KTS Embroidery & Promotional Solutions was honored as the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year.