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Anahuac honors community at chamber
banquet
Published March 23, 2007 A roomful of Anahuac residents gathered at
White’s Park to honor those working to improve their
community at Anahuac Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual
Awards Banquet on Thursday.
“It’s a very, very
nice turnout,” Linda Barnhart said. The Anahuac school
district superintendent and Chamber of Commerce member
said selling tickets to the banquet wasn’t a problem.
Everyone in town wanted to come out and show their
support to the individuals, group and business honored,
and support the chamber by bidding on some of the many
silent auction items.
Chamber director Robbie
King said the event brought in about $5,000 in profits
for the Chamber of Commerce last year, and members hope
residents will be just as generous this time
around.
“People support each other here,”
Barnhart said.
Between the good food, guest
magician and the array of auction items up for grabs,
many residents couldn’t choose their favorite part of
the event.
“It’s fun. You get to see everybody
and meet new people,” said Aaron Berklund.
The
Anahuac resident hasn’t missed an annual awards banquet
since he moved to town about two years ago.
Other event regulars, like Chamber of Commerce
members, have been marking the event on their calendar
for years, and appreciate the chance to have fun and
celebrate their town.
“We ask a lot of our
members throughout the year,” King said. “This is the
one night that we get to give back a little
bit.”
Chamber members and residents were not just
there to socialize, many of them showed up to
congratulate the award winners, like the 2007 Person of
the Year.
Sarah Cerrone was surprised to be
honored with the title for the second time. The director
of economic development was also named Person of the
Year in 1998.
“I’m very flattered,” Cerrone said.
“I think I’m the first one they gave it to
twice.”
Cerrone wasn’t expecting the award, but
her achievement came as no surprise to the many
residents she has worked with through her job, volunteer
efforts, work as the general chairman of Gatorfest and
efforts as chairman of Chambers County Day at the
Capitol.
“She has a hand in everything,” King
said.
The chamber also honored Bayside Community
Hospital, Business of the Year, the Chambers County
Historical Commission, Group of the Year, Donna
Standley, Outstanding Educator, Tommy Wilcox, Lifetime
Achievement winner, Bubba Lancon, Gatorfest Volunteer of
the Year and Bill and Donna Rhodes of Texas Temperature
Control won the Gatorfest appreciation award.
The
winners, nominated and then voted on by the chamber, all
deserved to be recognized for their role in the
community, King said. But she admits that it can be hard
to choose who to honor when there are so may people who
get involved with Anahuac’s efforts and
events.
“We’re such a small community that it
takes a lot of volunteers,” Kind said.
Barnhart
and other residents are confident in the knowledge that
community involvement is something their town will never
be lacking in.
“I’m very impressed with the way
the community of Anahuac supports the Chamber of
Commerce, the businesses and the town,” Barnhart
said.
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