Caitlyn Mosset, center, holds her plaque she earned after being named the 2025 Citizen of the Year by the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. Also pictured is fellow nominee Marcus Heerdt, left, and Chamber President Kelly Bednar. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star
HOT SPRINGS – A sold out crowd of more than 200 people attended the 85th annual Meeting & Awards Dinner of the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce this past weekend on Saturday, March 15.
As in previous years, the event also served as the Taste of Hot Springs, in which local dining establishments offered a wide range of main dishes, sides and desserts. Participants included Lynn’s Dakota Mart (prime rib), Sonny’s Super Foods (meat/cheese/vegetable/ fruit trays); Whiskey River (Pot Stickers); Two Cows Creamery & Bistro (Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches); Smokehouse Sports Bar & Grill (Brisket/Pulled Pork); and Winner’s Circle (soup/ salad).
Awards were presented by Executive Director Josh Kropuenske and were highlighted by the naming of Caitlyn Mosset as this year’s Hot Springs Citizen of Year.
Mosset spent her childhood in Hot Springs and, like many young adults, moved away for a bit of time. However, she has been back in town for the past 10 years and is part of the successfully run family business known as River Run Greenhouse. She has been the managing owner of the business for the past seven years. Her love of horticulture fit nicely with her desire to get involved with Keep Hot Springs Beautiful (KHSB). Going on five years this summer, Mosset has volunteered her time with KHSB and is currently serving as the Board’s President.
While numerous individuals were involved in planning for the new “Bump Outs” being created during road construction, Mosset’s expertise was greatly appreciated during the final planning stages. Her commitment to KHSB and Hot Springs is equally impressive as it is inspiring. Keeping with her selfless demeanor, Mosset is quick to point out that this was a team effort and in no way completed by her alone.
Also nominated for Citizen of the Year was Marcus Heerdt, an award-winning writer and author who has lived in Hot Springs for six years. In addition to working for the Nature Conservancy and writing for the Fall River County Herald-Star, Heerdt also volunteers and contributes time and talent to the West River History Conference, Fall River Historical Society, Black Hills Parks and Forests Association and Wind Cave National Park.
Other awards presented during the night included Retail Business of the Year (Ace Hardware); Service Business of the Year (Black Hills Federal Credit Union); Hospitality Business of the Year (Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa); Employer of the Year (Massa Dental); and Community Pride (Keep Hot Springs Beautiful).
Executive Director Kropuenske also awarded his Director’s Award to former Chamber employee Justin Gausman, for his extra help with Kropuenske’s transition into his new position with the Chamber in June 2024. Kropuenske also presented the Friend of the Chamber Award to Fall River Health Services for its substantial purchase of Chamber Bucks they give as bonuses to their employees every Christmas.
Winners of the Chamber’s two Agri-Business Scholarships were also given plaques, including Riley Lockhart and Brylee Grill.
In addition to the awards presented during the night, the area’s longstanding businesses were recognized with a special two-page spread in the night’s program. Chamber Board President Elect Brett Nachtigall summarized the list and highlighted the Chamber members who were celebrating five year milestone anniversaries in 2025, including: 5 years – Wandering Bison Coffee; Silk Road; Red Dirt & Pearls; Springs Coffee Kiosk.
30 years – Budget Host/Hills Inn; Massa Dental 35 years – Mosset Construction 40 years – First Western/First Interstate Bank; Black Hills Federal Credit Union 90 years – Coast to Coast/Ace Hardware 135 years – Evans Plunge Special recognition was also given to Massa Dental, which was not only celebrating its own 30 year anniversary, but was also carrying on the tradition of a 100 years dental practice which opened in 1925 and was operated by Dewey Sewright and then later by his son Dick Sewright. That practice started in Buffalo Gap and operated there until the 1940s when it moved into Hot Springs and became part of the Butler Clinic, which is where it remains today. Don Massa purchased the practice in 1995 from Dick Sewright.