Civic Contributor Award
Incoming Chamber president Hal Benedict (left) and Past-President Michael Holliday (Right) present the Civic Contributor of the Year Award to Bluff City Theater co-founders Joe Anderson and Wesley Yargus on January 16th.

Bluff City Theater was honored  by The Hannibal Chamber of Commerce on Saturday night as the recipient of the Civic Contributor of the Year Award for 2015.  Awarded to a business, organization or individual that contributes for the betterment of the community by supporting local or regional assistance programs, encouraging involvement, contributing to community organizations and non-profits and working with the area school districts.

In presenting the award, outgoing president of the Chamber, Michael Holliday, noted the theater’s commitment to enriching the lives of Hannibal residents by bringing high-quality professional theater to the community and its many programs for children and youth, offered under the acronym YETI, the Youth Education in Theater Initiative.

In accepting the award on behalf of the theater, Executive Director Joe Anderson remarked that when he and Wesley Yargus visited the city three years ago, moving here was the furthest thing from their mind.  However, the historic charm of the city, its friendly people and the many opportunities to make a difference convinced them to make a commitment to Hannibal.

He went on to say that the task would have been impossible without the support of countless individuals, sponsors and donors who came together to help launch and support the work of the theater.

“We are very honored to be included in the very prestigious company of previous winners of this award”,  Anderson said after the event.  “Previous honorees include Continental Cement, Hannibal-Lagrange University, General Mills and The Riedel Foundation among others”.

Anderson concluded his remarks by noting that anything is possible when the people of Hannibal work together for a common cause.