The Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual meeting at the PI Pub Sports Bar & Restaurant Wednesday, October 14.  Business members and Friends of the Chamber convened to socialize, share some laughs, review the year’s finances and accomplishments, and to present the Annual Citizen of the Year Award.

Sarah Johnson, Presque Isle Chamber Board Member, announced and presented the “Citizen of the Year” award to Denim ‘N Dessert (D ‘N D) Readers Theatre. During the award presentation, comments from nomination letters were shared alongside a brief history of the group. In addition, Johnson noted this a fitting award as October also serves as the 30th anniversary celebration of the National Arts and Humanities Month as well as the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Denim ‘N Dessert started 11 years ago with the goal to create dramatic and comedic fun in the Northwoods. One nomination letter said, “We give residents a chance to strut their stuff on stage acting or in building and decorating sets, running lights, gathering props and selecting costumes. This is something many have wanted to do all their lives, and because of our technique of using scripts on stage, they don’t have to worry about memorizing lines. It’s a win-win!”

The group not only brings laughter and memories to the community, they also help area businesses and commerce.

Free, thrice-yearly performances bring hundreds of people to Presque Isle every year. Many of those people stop at establishments during their visits, or make plans to return and enjoy the small town feel and camaraderie. Furthermore, D ‘N D is a generous group that uses their performances to support other non-profits in the area, and they bring joy to groups that need a little boost from time to time, including holiday performances at the K Care Senior Center in Minocqua.

D ‘N D’s next free performance is “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie, hosted on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, at the Community Center in Presque Isle. Performances start at 7 p.m. with tickets available at the door; donations are always appreciated.

For more information on this event or other area happenings, please visit PresqueIsle.com, find the Presque Isle Chamber on Facebook, call the Chamber office at (715) 686-2910, or contact Director, Sara Fieweger at presqueisle@centurytel.net.