Investing in New Melle’s Future: Meet Our 2025–2026 Chamber Scholarship Recipients

Geries Shaheen • 11 August 2026

The New Melle Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize four outstanding students as recipients of our 2025–2026 Chamber Scholarships: David Neier, Logan Humphrey, Ella Coulter, and Parker Williams.

One of the Chamber’s most important investments is in the young people who will carry our community forward. This year’s recipients represent an impressive range of interests, from agriculture and veterinary medicine to the skilled trades, accounting and law.

What they share is even more important: hard work, community involvement, leadership and a desire to use their education to make a difference.

David Neier , Fighting Hunger Through Agriculture

For David Neier, community service began remarkably early.

At just nine years old, David learned about food insecurity and the Backpack Impact Program. As a young hunter, he wondered whether the deer he harvested could become food for families who needed it. That idea became Hunt for Hunger.

David initially hoped to collect around 500 pounds of venison. His first season brought in more than 1,500 pounds for local food pantries, and the effort continued growing over the following nine years.

Today, Hunt for Hunger has provided tens of thousands of pounds of venison to food pantries throughout the area. David has also served his community through mission trips, youth programs, food-packing initiatives and work with children with special needs.

David plans to attend St. Charles Community College, pursuing an associate degree in Agriculture before transferring to the University of Missouri for his bachelor's degree. His long-term goal brings his story full circle: finding new ways to address food insecurity.

Logan Humphrey , Building a Future in the Skilled Trades

Logan Humphrey discovered during high school that his future wouldn't necessarily be found behind a desk.

After developing an interest in working with his hands, Logan was selected for the two-year electrical trades training program at Lewis and Clark Technical School. There he developed skills in electrical theory, wiring, troubleshooting, tools and workplace safety.

He also became involved with SkillsUSA, putting those abilities to the test in competitions involving electrical codes, conduit bending, installation and other real-world trade skills. His performance earned him the opportunity to represent Lewis and Clark in electrical wiring competition.

Logan will continue his education in the Electrical Technology program at State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, with the goal of progressing from apprentice to master in the electrical field.

His accomplishments extend well beyond the classroom. Logan has participated in National Honor Society, varsity track and field, community clean-up days, Wreaths Across America, Special Olympics fundraising, youth mentoring and other community activities.

For a Chamber made up of local businesses, we're especially excited to see a young person recognize the opportunities available through the skilled trades—and perhaps even entrepreneurship someday.

Ella Coulter , Agriculture, Animals & Coming Home to Serve

For Ella Coulter, agriculture isn't simply an academic interest. It's part of her family's history and part of the life she found after moving to New Melle.

Showing cattle and swine taught Ella responsibility, patience and perseverance. She remembers placing near the bottom of her class at the Missouri State Fair as a sixth grader. Years of work later, she raised a bull that earned Grand Champion Bull at the Southwestern Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas.

Her involvement in Boone Country 4-H also connected her deeply with New Melle. Ella served as Treasurer, Secretary and President and participated in community traditions including New Melle Country Christmas, local parades and county fair activities.

Those agricultural roots ultimately led her toward veterinary medicine. Experience working at Mid-Rivers Equine Centre and shadowing a veterinarian gave Ella firsthand exposure to the profession and strengthened her desire to serve both animals and agricultural communities.

Ella is now studying Animal Science at Kansas State University, where she has become involved in organizations including ASI Mentors, Block & Bridle, Pre-Vet Society and Collegiate Cattlewomen's Club. Her goal is to become a large-animal veterinarian—and, one day, return home to serve the New Melle community.

We rather like that last part.

Parker Williams , Accounting, Law & Advocating for Others

Parker Williams is preparing for his next academic chapter at the University of Missouri, where he will pursue a degree in Accounting after studying at Florida State University and St. Charles Community College.

But accounting isn't Parker's final destination.

His goal is to attend law school and ultimately become a tax attorney, combining an understanding of accounting, taxes and financial decision-making with a career helping people navigate complicated financial and legal matters.

Parker is particularly interested in advocating for older adults who may need assistance with issues such as estate planning, asset management or elder abuse. He describes success not simply in financial terms, but as finding a career that also allows him to make a positive difference in his community.

His academic and extracurricular achievements include the President's List at Florida State University, AP Scholar with Distinction, Honor Roll, DECA and participation in baseball, football and golf.

Congratulations to Our Scholarship Recipients!

These four students are heading down very different roads, and that's exactly what makes this year's scholarship class so exciting.

David Neier is connecting agriculture with the fight against hunger.

Logan Humphrey is building a career in the electrical trades.

Ella Coulter is pursuing veterinary medicine with hopes of returning to serve the agricultural community.

Parker Williams is combining accounting and law with a desire to advocate for others.

The New Melle Chamber of Commerce is honored to play a small part in helping each of them take that next step.

Our community's future isn't something that simply happens to us. We build it by investing in the people who will eventually lead it.

To David, Logan, Ella and Parker: Congratulations from the New Melle Chamber of Commerce. We can't wait to see where you go from here, and we hope New Melle will always feel like home. 🎓❤️

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Connect, Tour & Unwind: August Chamber Social at Grandview Garage Doors

by Geries Shaheen • 11 August 2026

The New Melle Chamber of Commerce August Social is right around the corner, and this month we're heading to Grandview Garage Doors for an evening of networking, conversation and a behind-the-scenes look at a local Chamber member. Join us on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. for Happy Hour at Grandview Garage Doors, located at 3705 Mill Street . And as always, guests are welcome! Meet Grandview Garage Doors Grandview Garage Doors is a locally owned business founded by Darren and Bonna Salyer in 2023 . Darren brings decades of construction experience, including installing his first garage door back in 1988, while Bonna brought more than 30 years of commercial banking experience to the business. Today, Grandview serves New Melle, Wentzville and communities throughout the surrounding area. Their services include garage door repair and installation, garage door openers, high-lift conversions, motorized screens and other upgrades. Come See the Showroom This month's Social is also an opportunity to get a closer look at Grandview's operation and showroom. Grandview's Design Center allows customers to compare different garage door styles, colors, materials and upgrades in person —a little easier than trying to decide what will look good on your house from a two-inch picture on a screen. But you don't need to be shopping for a garage door to come out on August 20. Come for Happy Hour, tour the showroom, and stay for the people. Building Business Through Relationships Chamber Socials are intentionally informal. There are no presentations to sit through and no complicated agenda. They're simply an opportunity to get local business owners, organizations, community leaders and neighbors into the same room. Those conversations matter. A new introduction can become a referral. A conversation can turn into a partnership. And sometimes it's simply good to know more of the people doing business right here in our community. Save the Date New Melle Chamber August Social Thursday, August 20, 2026 4:30–6:30 p.m. Grandview Garage Doors 3705 Mill Street Happy Hour • Showroom Tour • Networking Guests Welcome! Thank you to Grandview Garage Doors for hosting us. We hope Chamber members, local businesses and anyone interested in learning more about the New Melle Chamber will stop by. Come connect with us. Bring a guest. Meet a neighbor. Support local. Visit Grandview Garage Doors

July Chamber Social at The Bunker: Community, Connection & Small-Town Pride 🇺🇸

by Geries Shaheen • 11 August 2026

The New Melle Chamber of Commerce headed to The Bunker at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5651 for our July Happy Hour Social, bringing Chamber members and guests together for an evening of networking, conversation and community. Held on Thursday, July 16 , the social offered a relaxed opportunity to step away from the workday, catch up with familiar faces and make a few new connections along the way. The Chamber’s calendar confirms The Bunker at the VFW Hall as the host of our July 2026 monthly social. A Special New Melle Gathering Place There couldn't have been a more fitting setting for a July gathering. The Thiemann-Tidd Memorial VFW Post 5651 , located at 555 Foristell Road in New Melle , has long been part of the fabric of our community. The Post serves our local veterans while also providing a gathering place for events, fundraisers and community traditions throughout the year. In fact, Post 5651 has previously earned the VFW's prestigious All-American status , an achievement credited not only to its veteran members but also its Auxiliary and the strong support it receives from the surrounding community. The incredible military mural inside The Bunker provided a particularly meaningful backdrop for our July gathering — honoring the service and sacrifice of generations of American veterans. Networking Our Chamber socials are a chance for business owners, community organizations, residents and Chamber members to simply spend time together. Relationships are built through conversations, introductions and the occasional cold beverage just as surely as they are across a conference table. That spirit fits directly with the Chamber's mission as a collaborative group working to unite and support our small-town community while honoring those who came before us and those who will come after. Thank You, VFW Post 5651! A big thank you to The Bunker and VFW Post 5651 for welcoming the New Melle Chamber and providing a great place for our July Social. And, as always, thank you to everyone who came out and spent part of their evening with us. Supporting New Melle isn't limited to where we shop , it's also about showing up, getting involved and building relationships with the people and organizations that make our community what it is. We'll see you at the next one! Support Local. Connect Local. Stay New Melle. ❤️

Two New Melle Businesses, Two Ribbon Cuttings: Come Celebrate Local!

by Geries Shaheen • 11 August 2026

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Oktoberfest Returns to New Melle October 4

by Geries Shaheen • 11 August 2026

Mark your calendars and dust off your steins — Oktoberfest is returning to New Melle on Sunday, October 4, 2026! This annual community celebration brings together some of the best parts of fall in New Melle: good food, live music, local vendors, family activities and, naturally, a proper beer garden. The festivities will take place at 150 W. Hwy D in New Melle and will feature the traditional Annual Sausage Dinner , continuing a local sausage-supper tradition that stretches back decades. The Oktoberfest celebration itself began in 2021 as a way to build upon that tradition and bring the wider New Melle community together for an afternoon of German-inspired food and festivities. Food, Music & Oktoberfest Fun Food has always been at the heart of the celebration. Previous Oktoberfests have featured traditional German sausage dinners and homemade favorites, while the festival has grown to include live entertainment, activities and attractions for all ages. The 2026 Oktoberfest will feature: Annual Sausage Dinner Live Music Beer Garden Free Kids Carnival Country Market Quilt Raffle Stein Hoist Contest Disc Golf Tournament Old Time Tractors Whether you're coming for the sausage, testing your strength in the stein hoist, browsing the Country Market, bringing the kids for the carnival or simply spending an October Sunday with neighbors and friends, there will be plenty happening throughout the grounds. A New Melle Fall Tradition Oktoberfest may be relatively new, but the celebration is rooted in a much older New Melle tradition. For several decades, the local congregation at 150 W. Hwy D hosted an annual October sausage supper. In 2021 , that longstanding gathering expanded into the first Oktoberfest, creating a larger community celebration around the traditional meal. The event has continued to grow. Past celebrations have included everything from German sausage and homemade pies to live music, local craft vendors, a beer garden, Kinderfest, petting zoos, yard games and traditional German-inspired competitions. It’s exactly the sort of event that feels at home in New Melle: local tradition, families, neighbors, small businesses and community organizations all coming together in one place. Save the Date New Melle Oktoberfest 2026 Sunday, October 4, 2026 📍 150 W. Hwy D, New Melle, Missouri Bring the family, invite some friends and come hungry. From the Annual Sausage Dinner and beer garden to live music, the Country Market, kids carnival, contests and tractors, Oktoberfest 2026 is shaping up to be one of New Melle’s can't-miss fall community events.