Center High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Chris Smith performed in the front lobby while guests arrived.
May 2, 2018 (Event Photos) - The 96th Annual Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Banquet was held Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the John D. Windham Civic Center and many of Shelby County's citizens were recognized for their accomplishments.
As has become tradition, Chris Watlington was the Master of Ceremonies for the banquet, providing entertainment to delight the audience throughout the night until the event came to a close.
The Center High School Theatre Department Improv Troop, "The Elephant's in the Room," under the direction of Watlington, performed live before the Chamber audience, "Customer Service."
As the awards ceremony was about to begin, "Cade Foehner" (Windham) made a special guest appearance and Watlington spoke with him about his most recent American Idol performance of the Little Mermaid song "Kiss The Girl."
Brian Wages, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board President, thanked all of the sponsors and supporters once again. He then commended the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce staff who are Chamber President Deborah Chadwick, Tammy Luman and Kristen Miller.
Wages spoke about the chamber and the many activities and events with which it is involved annually.
"None of these events would be possible without the support and sponsorship of the local businesses and individuals like those represented in this room tonight," said Wages. "Thank you all for your continued support, and thank you for allowing your employees an opportunity to volunteer some of their work time and resources doing chamber work."
Wages invited past-president Meg Camp to the stage to present her with a plaque honoring her service to the chamber. He commended Camp on her effective leadership and the immeasurable amount of help she was to the chamber.
"Meg was faced with what seemed like an insurmountable task, and with countless late nights, impromptu meetings and research projects in support of those she worked closely with, Meg completed every task that she was faced with," said Wages.
He congratulated Camp on a succesful year at the helm of Shelby County's Chamber board of directors and he thanked her for being there to steer him in the right direction.
Wages then presented the Chairman of the Board award, formerly the President's Award, to Andi Foster.
This year's recipient is one who doesn't recognize the word "no," She is ever gracious in accepting a request for volunteerism, whether it be of her time or expertise," said Wages. "She is President of the ambassadors, Tourism Committee Chairman for several years and played a vital role in the Total Resource Campaign for a number of years."
Wages shared Foster has accepted the position of Chairman of the Board-Elect for the upcoming Chamber year scheduled to begin January 2019.
Mary Lynn Tinkle, Timpson ISD Assistant Superintendent, had the honor of introducing the Elementary Teacher of the Year - Lucinda Simmons and Secondary Teacher of the Year - Teresa Wiist who were recently awarded at the Teacher Appreciation Reception hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. (Related article: Teacher Appreciation Reception; Simmons, Wiist Receive Top Honors - http://scttx.com/articles/teacher-appreciation-reception-simmons-wiist-r...).
Lane Dunn, AgriLife County Extension Agent of Agriculture and Natural Resources, introduced as Farm Family of the Year Doyle Carter. He was born in Shelby County in 1939 in the home where he currently resides. The original homestead was cleared by his father and another man with a cross-cut saw. e grew up on the family farm, which consisted of 10 acres of cotton along with eight acres of corn and some cows.
In 1946, the Carter family built one of the first chicken houses in Shelby County and it held 6,000 birds.
"He said that he was always handy with a hammer and nails, so he was put to work at seven years of age helping build that chicken house," said Dunn. "I've walked through that chicken house, it's still standing."
The second chicken house the family built was erected in 1950, all the birds were hand-fed using a cart with coffee cans to spread the feed and they were hand-watered as well. The birds were raised for about 12 weeks, and the average weight was three and a hald pounds. Dunn remarked the poultry industry has come a long way in Shelby County where the birds are now raised to be nine to 10 pounds in a lot less time.
"He also took another job when he had the opportunity to catch chickens. He always knew that he wanted to be in agriculture, and he always did anything that could give him an opportunity to do that," said Dunn.
Carter's family grew chickens for Purina. Dunn explained Carter's first official paying job was with East Texas Poultry Processing plant while he was a sophomore in high school. Carter attended college at Stephen F. Austin where he worked on the school farm and while he studied to be an Ag teacher.
Orange, Texas was where Carter began teaching and continued to do so four years. During that time, that was where he met his wife, Sue, before they were married. Sue Carter was very well versed in agriculture production and she had an appreciation for agriculture.
After four years in Orange, the Carters moved to Shelby County in 1967 where Carter's teaching career continued for over 47 years where he taught in Joaquin, Shelbyville and Center. Sue and Doyle had two boys, Matt and Jay, of which Matt works with the Poultry Science Lab in Center where he continues that agriculture tradition.
What originally was 50 acres owned by the Carter family has expanded greatly to an estimated 400 acres.
"He's always been known for having pristine hay meadows, excellent eye for cattle and improving his genetics constantly," said Dunn.
Dunn remarked the Carters are very mindful of nature in being stewards of the land, and Doyle Carter is a very dedicated man as exemplified by his 47 years as a teacher.
"[Carter] has dedicated his life to youth of Shelby County. He's been on the Farm Bureau Board for many, many, many years promoting agriculture," said Dunn.
Wil Blackshear, recipient of the 2017 Young Citizen of the Year award, announced the 2018 recipient to be Dr. Clayton Windham. A native to Shelby County, Windham is a current member and past-president of the Center Noon Lions Club, a committee member with Shelby County Ducks Unlimited, board member of the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center, First United Methodist Church and served on the trustees council, and he was raised on the Center square during the East Texas Poultry Festival.
After graduating Center High School in 2005, Windham went to College Station where he achieved college degrees before moving on to UC Health Science Center Dental School in San Antonio where in 2012 he graduated and returned to Shelby County.
He earned the East Texas Dental Society Young Dentist of the Year award for East Texas in 2015, served on the Peer Review Committee, and is a delegate to the Texas Dental Association House. He was awarded the 2016 Outstanding New Dentist of the Year in Texas award and in the same year he purchased his family's business, Windham Family Dental.
Windham and his wife Jackie have two children, Everly and Liem.
Colleen Doggett, 2017 Distinguished Citizen of the Year award recipient, announced the 2018 Distinguished Citizen of the Year to be Jheri-Lynn McSwain, Shelby County Extension Agent - Family and Community Health.
Jheri-Lynn McSwain graduated from Texas A&M University, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences in 1989; received a degree from Baylor University, Curriculum and Instruction in 1998; and graduated from Texas Tech University in 2011 with a Horticulture degree. Last month she completed her PhD oral exams and can officially change her credentials to PhD ABD.
She has a passion for promoting health and wellness all across Shelby County. She was instrumental in starting the Community Garden program which brings fresh vegetables to seniors of Shelby County and gives youth an opportunity to learn gardening skills. She is always willing to travel to speak to groups about 4-H programs and healthy opportunities.
McSwain was honored at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 2017 annual session in Omaha, Nebraska for her programming efforts in Shelby County, Texas and received numerous awards including 1st place National and 1st place Region NEAFCS Greenwood Frysinger Fellowship Award, 2nd place National and 3rd place Southern Region Mary W. Wells Memorial Diversity Award, 2nd place National and 1st place Southern Region Environmental Education Team Award, and 3rd place Southern Region Communications Educational Technology Award.
Besides health and wellness, McSwain has a heart for the community. This year she started a Quilts of Valor campaign and has volunteers and 4-H quilters making quilts for our veterans. She is a member of the Center Garden Club, the Rotary Club, and just recently became a member of the Shelby County Historical Commission. She is married to Jimmy McSwain. Her oldest child is Rhyan Aljoe who is a civil engineer in Washington D.C. and her daughter is Ashlyn Aljoe who is a senior at Texas Tech University majoring in kineselogy. She also has a stepson, Hunter McSwain, who is a freshman at Center High School.
At the onset of the banquet, Watlington recognized Farmers State Bank for being the Presenting sponsor of the banquet. Gold sponsors - General Shelters, Gibson's Energy; and Silver Sponsors - City of Center, High Roller Wells. VIP Reception Sponsor - Republic Services where Center High School Culinary Art students served guests in the VIP room.
Watlington expressed appreciation to Rose Specter with T&R's Steaks and More, and Endless Possibilities who provided some of the evening's meal. He also thanked Anita Headley with Pineywoods Seafood for their contribution to the meal. Sassy Red's Inc. was also recognized for providing the desserts.
Mark Carpenter with the Lily Farm donated the stage plants. Elizabeth Pinkston with the banquet committee provided additional flowers for the event.
Providing entertainment during the meal the Panola College Jazz Band performed various compositions under the direction of Dwaine Hubbard.
