Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Night Magical At Chamber Banquet

It was a special night for those attending the annual Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Banquet Tuesday, April 6.

The Treasure of Gold Award was presented to Rachel Westmoreland, the fifth recipient of the honor typically bestowed on someone who has dedicated their life to serving others in the community.

Westmoreland taught school for 39 years, retiring in 1986 to become a poet.

Her response to learning of the award was "You people really know how to keep a secret. I never suspected this."

Westmoreland made her exit from the stage in typical fashion she left with a joke.

James and Kay Nelson, of Bluff City, were recognized as the Nevada County Farm Family of the Year for 1998.

James presented the audience with statistics showing the importance of agriculture in this region of the state.

The four ladies who have been volunteering their time to help out at the Chamber were presented certificates for their efforts.

Chamber Director Mary Godwin said these four woman have given a total of 85 hours, so far, to help out.

Next up on the awards list was the educators of the year.

Dr. Gene Ross, superintendent of Emmet Schools, gave the honor to Cindy Ward, who has taught in the district for four years.

Dr. Ross said Ward developed the school's gifted and talented program as well as the art program and is a dedicated educator.

"It's a great honor," Ward said. "It means as much as an Oscar or Emmy. I appreciate it."

Blake Epperson, principal of Nevada High School, wasted no time in naming Jack House as Nevada's teacher of the year.

House, who had been an instructor for 19 years is the dean of students for grades seven and eight at Nevada.

Epperson said House is well respected by students and teachers alike.

"It's nice to be recognized and appreciated," House said in accepting the award.

There was little doubt who would take home the teacher of the year award for the Prescott School District.

Superintendent Ron Wright presented the award to Joyce Gibson after letting the audience know some of her accomplishments.

He said it is better to be blessed than lucky and the district was blessed to have her as an instructor.

Wright said Gibson was more than a teacher, she was a mentor to students and fellow instructors alike. "I'm glad to have had the opportunity to work with her. She does what needs to be done."

Gibson was stunned at the honor, having no idea she had been tabbed as Prescott's teacher of the year.

"So much has happened since Jan. 19," she said.

Gibson accepted the plaque on behalf of the students, parents and everyone she worked with.

"We're all just pieces of a puzzle and I'm happy you let me share a piece of this puzzle for 22 years in Prescott," she said. "I will always be a teacher in heart and spirit."

This year's citizen of the year towered over the competition. The lifelong resident of Prescott graduated from Prescott High School in 1967, served in Vietnam, earned a bachelor's degree from Henderson State University and is now a certified public accountant.

Bill Taylor was given the plaque by Chamber President Chad Cornelius, who literally looked up to the recipient.

Taylor, in accepting the award, said he was "shocked and amazed" but credited his family.

The evening began, though, with the auction. Money raised will be used to help fund future Chamber events.

With Cornelius calling the auction, bids began at the actual value of items sold and went up from there.

An autographed Razorback football sold for more than $300, while an emu egg, painted by local artist Spot Daniels, sold for $350.

Matt Mosler, with KATV's Daybreak program, proved to be an entertaining speaker.

He lauded Prescott for having the best Chamber banquet he'd ever attended, bragging further on it Wednesday morning on the program.

Mosler joked about learning the proper pronunciation of Prescott and Nevada County, saying they aren't pronounced as one would expect and he'd been so informed on occasion.

He poked fun at himself for having a high pitched voice, saying the average male persona on television has the "voice of God", deep and booming.

"I love television," Mosler said, "it's better than real work. I'm humbled to be here. I talk for a living, but you are the real heroes. You go to work every day to keep the town going. I appreciate the opportunity to be here."

He joked about God having a warped sense of humor, especially in the area of hair. Mosler said men will lose the hair on their head, but grow it elsewhere usually in places hair has no business being.

Getting serious, Mosler said all of us are role models, especially parents, because young people watch what we do and emulate our behaviors.

He told the audience role models don't have to be famous athletes or big businessmen.

"All generations push the envelope," he said. "I think it's been pushed too far. Our culture has steadily declined. Decency and modesty are on the decline.

"I think an important step in this direction began when evolution was taught as fact and not theory, and we became our own morality. We've developed situational ethics."

On commercial television at this time, Mosler said, it's a race to see who will say the "F" word first. The worst part, he continued, is television is proud of it and is pushing the envelope even further.

Things people thought were horrible to hear on television 25 years ago, he said, are commonplace now. "It's dangerous."

Once the Whitewater mess ended, Mosler told the audience, there were still two sides one for and one against the president.

Both, though, have agreed since the investigation is over the country can now concentrate on more important matters, even though the economy did well throughout the ordeal.

"I don't know anything more important than the integrity of our public officials," Mosler said. "As people, we hold a high standard of moral decency and our public officials need to be truthful, faithful to their spouse and act like adults.

"I think we can start to repair the envelope," he continued. "We can't change Washington, D.C., but we can change our own little circle of the world. We can make sure our children grow up to be decent, honorable citizens.

"By being here, you are showing you are the leaders in your community. Future generations are watching you, so stop living a life and start living a legacy for your children and grandchildren.

"Put the envelope back together with self restraint, honor and decency."

Following his talk, Mosler entertained the audience with a couple of songs, with family oriented themes.

Other entertainment was provided by the Sounds of Prai