Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Chamber Banquet will rock and roll

Be ready to rock and roll at the annual Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Tuesday, April 6.

This year's Chamber banquet, which begins at 6 p.m., will be a trip back to the good old days of the 1950s with the theme being Magical Moments in Time. Patrons are encouraged to dress accordingly, though the banquet is a casual affair.

So, slick back the hair into a da, break out the poodle skirts and pedal pushers and get ready to rock and roll. There will be a costume contest for the best dressed man and woman. The entrants won't have to get on stage or parade around, as judges will circulate through the room making their decisions. The winners will receive prizes.

There will be no featured speaker this year, but, according to Mary Godwin, executive director of the Chamber, the banquet will, instead, focus on music and entertainment. The entertainment will be the Encore dance troupe from Southern Arkansas University, under the direction of Judy Vasser.

Encore is a public relations song and dance troupe and was founded in 1981 by Vasser. It has grown from 15 to about 60 students over the years.

The troupe travels throughout the Ark-La-Tex to high schools, performing on campus at SAU about six times a year.

As is the tradition, the banquet will begin with the benefit auction. Members of the Chamber are asking local merchants to donate items for the auction, but businesses can contact the Chamber about making a donation, Godwin said. Money raised from this event is used to fund other Chamber events throughout the year. Julie Stockton will be the auctioneer again this year.

Some of the items already donated include a Razorback football autographed by Coach Houston Nutt, three large decorative mirrors, several gift certificates, an air tank, a .22-caliber rifle, a Curley Wolf print, wind chimes, hair care products, make up and U.S. Savings Bonds.

This year's Master of Ceremonies will be Joe Graham, deputy prosecuting attorney and Chamber president. Graham will preside over the banquet and the different awards presented.

Those awards are: Past President Award, honoring the former Chamber president; the Nevada County Farm Family of the Year, sponsored by the Bank of Prescott; the Business Leadership Award; the Treasure of Gold Award; Educators of the Year (one from each of the three school districts in Nevada County); Students of the Year (created by former Miss Arkansas Jessie Ward, and presented to seniors in the three districts); and the Citizen of the Year Award.

This year's menu will consist of chicken spaghetti, green beans, salad, rolls strawberry cake and tea.

The committee working on this year's banquet is made up of: Jon Chadwell, Carol Newton, Godwin, Graham, Brad Crain, Barbara Lowdermilk, Booie Williams, Lanora Dalrymple, Karen Jobe, Karen McLelland, Elaine Williams, Paula Cossey, Julie Stockton, Michael Jimmerson and Brandi Karlovec.

Tickets for the banquet are $15 each and can be purchased at the Chamber or from any member of the banquet committee or Chamber board. Godwin is asking people to reserve their tickets early so the Chamber can get an accurate count for the meal.