It was a night to shine Tuesday evening for the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce as its members celebrated forty nine years leading this community in unity and growth.
The banquet took place in the brand new auditorium of the county complex on South Congress Boulevard, the first event to be held there.
Darrin Vincent, of the very popular and award winning bluegrass duo Dailey and Vincent, entertained the dinner crowd along with his teenage daughter Victoria Vincent.
Vincent was also the featured speaker. He talked of his family and music career and his impressions of the people of DeKalb County, a place he and his family have called home now for several years.
The program began with a silent auction, welcoming remarks by Chamber President Kathie McGlamery and County Mayor Mike Foster, presentation of the flags and pledge by members of Boy Scout Troop 347, and a performance of the National Anthem by Victoria Vincent. Invocation by Dr. John Carpenter of the First United Methodist Church and dinner music by Tomomi McDowell.
A video presentation was shown hosted by Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and Leadership DeKalb Director Jen Sherwood, featuring DeKalb County attractions and showcasing highlights of many activities and events held during the year.
Meanwhile, the retiring members of the Chamber board were recognized including Rob Willingham of Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Michelle Burklow of the DeKalb County Board of Education, Angie Meadows of the Smithville Review and the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club, and Anita Patrick of DTC Communications.
New members are Julia Cantrell of Cumberland Insurance Agency, Craig Gates, Chief Executive Officer of DTC Communications, Carol South, Marketing Director of Bumper’s Drive-In, Susan Young, Office Manager of the Customer Service Department of MTUD in the Smithville Operations Office, and Charlotte Parsley, who works in the Marketing Department of Shiroki North America.
Other member of the Chamber board are Keith Blair, Attorney-at-Law, Rhonda Caplinger of Liberty State Bank, George Oliver of the Smithville Rotary Club; Jason Ray, Leadership Alumni from the Class of 2009; Mike Williams of the DeKalb County Fair Board; Janna Gillard, publisher of the DeKalb County Guide, Valerie House, Leadership DeKalb Alumni, Bill Little, Administrator of DeKalb Community Hospital, Tony Luna of the Real Estate Team, and Lori Manns of Manns Master Mechanics.
The 2012 officers are President Kathie McGlamery, Vice President; Janna Gillard, Secretary Valerie House, and Treasurer Julia Cantrell.
(TOP PHOTO: Chamber Director Suzanne Williams with Banquet speaker and entertainer Darrin Vincent and his daughter Victoria. All three holding awards previously won by Darrin including a Grammy, held by Suzanne)
(BOTTOM PHOTO: Chamber Director Suzanne Williams with retiring Chamber Board Members Anita Patrick, Angie Meadows, Michelle Burklow, and Rob Willingham)
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