Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Duke top citizen, Benton treasure

Anyone who didnt have fun at the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Banquet wasnt there.

From start to finish something was going on, be it the auction, which kicked the banquet off Tuesday, March 21, the entertainment or the honors bestowed on area people.

Brad Crain, Chamber president, summed it up in his welcome when he told those at the packed house in the McRae Middle School cafetorium to sit back, relax, and have fun.

Tears were shed at the banquet, though not tears of sadness, but rather of joy, shock and surprise. Judy Duke, Citizen of the Year, was literally speechless when presented with the honor.

Crain described the qualities a recipient of Citizen of the Year should have. He began with living in Nevada County, which Duke has for 30 years, caring about the community and doing their part to improve it, and committing themselves to a task and doing what it takes to get it done. Duke, he said, exemplifies all these qualities.

She is the current president of the Artesian Arts League, a member of the Nevada County Cancer Association, the Rotary Club, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, in the Leadership Nevada County Class of 2006, the Tri-Service Club, the Fair Association, and is a member of Central Baptist Church. Crain added she works closely with her husband on their farm, and is a doting grandmother to her grandchildren Shelby and Jack. Her daughter is Lori Arnette.

Oh my goodness, was Dukes comment upon taking center stage. Just being nominated is an honor. I never imagined Id be standing here. Thank you so much.

Duke said she loves Prescott, her family, her church family, and the people here make it easy to do the work.

The accolades began by recognizing the 2005 Farm Family of the Year, Jeff and Trish Milam, along with their two sons, Jake and Judd.

There are a lot of people we owe thanks to, Jeff Milam said. Its an honor to live in Prescott and Nevada County. We enjoy what we do and who we work with. We thank everyone who helped us.

Next up was the Treasure of Gold Award, which went to Davis Benton. Crain went through the litany of Bentons accomplishments, which included 60 years of serving the country. He was in the Navy during World War II, educated at Memphis State University, getting a degree in meteorology, worked with the National Weather Service and has lived virtually all over the world. He was instrumental in establishing the Nevada County Weather Center.

Benton, Crain said, retired in 1980, moving back to Cale, where he got into politics. Benton was recently honored as being Mayor of Cale for 25 years. He has also been married to Helen for 56 years.

Bentons comments were short. He said his wife should have received the award for putting up with him so long.

Joe Graham was recognized as the past president for the Chamber. Carrie Nivens did the intro, saying Graham made sure the troops were honored when they left for Iraq and when they returned home. Yellow ribbons were placed at the Library and Courthouse, staying up until the soldiers returned.

A special award was bestowed on the second grade class of Misty Cassels for collecting the most pennies for the United Way. Their efforts earned the students a pizza party.

Karen Ward presented the Student of the Year Awards. This award was created by her daughter, Jessie, a former Miss Arkansas, to recognize top students in the county. The student picked from Emmet was Mary Clayborn, while Randall McClure was tabbed from Nevada High School. Matt Haynie was the student of the year from Prescott.

Nivens was the presenter for the Business of the Year Award, which went to Potlatch.

Brad Fountain, plant manager, said Potlatch employs 250 people locally, and the workers are involved with various civic clubs and activities, including the annual Log-A-Load event. Potlatch people do make it better.

Prizes were awarded for the best dressed man and woman. However, there was a tie in both categories. For the women, the award went to Julie Oliver and Karen Cobb. On the mens side, it was Terry Oliver and George Cornelius. Cobb and Cornelius were unable to get on stage as they were on roller skates.

From there it was on to the Educator of the Year.

Kathleen Wicker received the honor from Emmet. Its an honor to receive this award, she said. I thank my role models and students. They are the reason Im here tonight.

Laura Bridges was the recipient from Nevada. Im delighted to be chosen by the staff, she said. We have excellent teachers at Nevada. Thank you very much.

For Prescott it was a tag team award, going to Prescott Elementary Principal Janet Gordon and PES Assistant Principal Kathy Jaines.

Jaines said without great teachers, administrators, students and parents she wouldnt be there.

Gordon said her 36 years in education has passed quickly, starting when she got a call from J. Ed Smith asking her to come and teach fourth grade social studies. However, he later asked her to teach second grade. Im blessed with the people I work with. Theyre the best teachers in Arkansas. Im blessed to have a great faculty and staff. Its all about the children. I accept this on behalf of the faculty and staff.