Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Heroes to be honored at Chamber banquet

Members of the Arkansas National Guard are due to come home this month.

With this in mind, the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet will reflect the service these soldiers provided to this country. "Our Hometown Heros" will be the theme of the 2005 Chamber banquet, scheduled for March 31.

The banquet will again be held at the McRae Middle School cafetorium and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with the annual auction.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Chamber, said this theme was selected because it is hoped the local troops that have been in Iraq will be home by then, but it's not just for the soldiers. She said it's also to recognize the local heros who work to help make the community prosper and achieve, whether they be police officers, firefighters or teachers.

Dress will be casual with the decorations to be red, white and blue, mixed in with camouflage and yellow ribbons.

There will be no featured speaker at this year's banquet, Godwin said. Instead there will be a USO-style variety show with different acts.

At this time, she said, the Chamber is soliciting donations for the auction. Anyone wanting to make a donation should contact the Chamber at 887-2101.

The banquet will recognize the Farm Family of the Year, which was the Steve Wren family last year, the Business Leadership Award will be presented as will the Teacher of the Year awards from the three districts. Jessie Ward, Miss Arkansas 2001, will present the Student of the Year award for the three schools. Ward began this after stepping down as Miss Arkansas to recognize outstanding students in the county. The Golden Treasure Award will also be presented, with the evening's entertainment culminating with the Citizen of the Year Award.

Tickets for the banquet will be $15 each. They can be purchased at the Chamber, from any Chamber Board member or from banquet committee members.