April 26, 2017 (Photo Album) - The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 95th Annual Chamber Banquet at the John D. Windham Civic Center on Tuesday, April 25 with nearly 300 in attendance.
Master of ceremony was Chris Watlington who entertained the audience pulling from his repertoire of musical talent, comedy, impromptu theater, and knowledge of the community. He welcomed everyone saying, "A Chamber of Commerce Banquet recognizes not just the chamber but obviously commerce. All of the good things that happen in our community, the church life, the family life, the funds we have, just as a whole, would not happen if it was not for a thriving economic existence. And so what you guys do the other 364 days of the year is definitely worthy of an evening to recognize and to honor."
After recognizing distinguished guests attending the banquet, Watlington introduced Chamber President, Meg Camp who recognized the sponsors for the event: Presenting sponsor - Farmers State Bank; Gold sponsors - General Shelters of Texas and Gibsons Energy; VIP Reception sponsor - Republic Services; and Silver sponsors - City of Center and High Roller Wells. Camp gave a recap of her year as Chamber President and spoke about how much the chamber has grown over the year with it having over 400 members. She mentioned new to the chamber this year was hosting the State of the City Address and starting the Young Professionals Network.
Camp recognized the Chamber staff and all the work they do, “A special thank you to Pam Phelps, Jenny Fancher and Tammy Luman. It is amazing how a staff of three can coordinate so many events and activities for the businesses in the county. Pam wanted me to let you know she is sorry she could not attend tonight. The Chamber is fortunate that Deborah Chadwick is helping out part-time while Pam is out.”
First Camp presented a plaque to Jim Sawyer, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, "Last year during his term, Jim was an extremely effective leader and has been an invaluable resource to me this year." Camp then recognized and announced the recipient of the President's Award to Alison Scull who says "yes." She commended Scull for her work with the chamber, "When I asked her to serve on the board she said 'yes.' When I asked her if she would chair an event she had never even attended, she said 'yes.' When I expressed a need that the chamber had she said 'yes' for her husband and volunteered him. She has been a member all three years of the Total Resource Campaign and has been the top seller for the last two years." Camp explained, unfortunately, Scull wasn't able to attend the banquet because she said "yes" to another request.
Debra Chadwick who is assisting the chamber presented plaques to the graduating Leadership Shelby County class members who were Bobby Bressman (First Baptist Church), John Michael Burns (John Michael Burns Insurance), Marcus Cameron (City of Center), Clyde Dismuke (Tyson Foods), Lori Davis (Shelby Savings Bank), Jeremy Fenley (Shelby Savings Bank), Andy Gardner (Austin Bank), Allison Harbison (Shelby County Judge), Inez Hughes (Center ISD), Tammie Luman (Shelby County Chamber), Jarrod Nutt (Mangum Funeral Home), Elizabeth Pinkston (Center Floral), Jose Solis (General Shelters), and Scott Stanfield (Farmers State Bank).
Lane Dune, AgriLife County Extension Agent of Agriculture and Natural Resources, then introduced the Farm Family of the Year to be Lane and Betty Chambers, owners of Chambers Farm. Both grew up in a farm family. They married in 1973 and made their home on the 652 acre Chambers family farm in the south end of Shelby County. They have two children who are their daughter, Crystal and husband Chad and their son, Clint and wife Brandy. They have four grandchildren who are Breanna, Shane, Molly, and McKinley.
They carried on the family farming tradition with a cow calf operation and continued to do commercial hay baling business. In 1990 they decided to build their first four chicken house poultry farm and in 2003 expanded to add a second poultry farm with six chicken houses for a total of ten houses. In 2001 Lane, Betty, and daughter Crystal started C & A Poultry, an applicator business to put poultry litter treatment in chicken houses. In 2014 the operation was relocated to a warehouse on Loop 500 in Center. Their son Clint is a diesel mechanic and owns and operates Clint Chambers Repair Service located on the farm and he also has a four house poultry farm.
From 2004 to present, Lane Chambers served on the Shelby County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. From 1990-2002 they were involved in the Shelby County 4-H Horse Project as volunteers. Lane and Betty are members of Liberty Hill Baptist Church where Lane is chairman of deacons and Betty is church clerk.
Anna Lee, 2016 Young Citizen of the Year, then came to the stage to introduce the 2017 recipient to be Wil Blackshear. Blackshear was born and raised in Center and has been an active member of the community since graduating from Center High School and S.F.A. University. He does sales and management for Ihlo Sales and Imports Co. and owns several businesses in Center: Twice As Nice Ice and Shofner Washateria. Blackshear is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Center Noon Lions Club and is very involved with the Shelby County Ducks Unlimited Chapter and a past president. He has served on the Bone Hill Foundation Board and the Dixie League Board. Blackshear has participated in the Poultry Festival DoDah Parade, Homecoming Class, and a little league coach. He is married to Lindsey Blackshear and they have two sons and are expecting an addition to the family. They are a member of First Baptist Church of Center.
Wil Blackshear is a second generation Young Citizen of the Year recipient as his father, Roy Blackshear received the award in 1989.
Jim Forbes was the 2016 Distinguished Citizen of the Year. He passed away July 7, 2016 and his wife, Ann Forbes, who during Jim's life was always there and was an instrumental part of what he did, continues to be there and fulfilling the duties of her beloved husband. Ann Forbes said it was her honor to announce the recipient of this year's Distinguished Citizen's Award on behalf of Jim who was very appreciative of the honor. She announced the recipient to be Colleen Doggett.
Doggett has been a local newspaper writer and is currently writing for East Texas Press and UniqPublishing. She is a Chamber of Commerce ambassador volunteering as a leadership program coordinator as well as volunteering with chamber events. She is a past president of the Center Garden Club, past president of the Shelby County Historical Commission, current chairperson of the Historical Commission's Cemetery Committee, and SC Courthouse Social Scheduling Manager, an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a library volunteer, member of the Women's Reading Club, and a Daughter of the Republic of Texas.
