Gainesville —
Awards and civic praise led proceedings at Thursday’s Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce 2013 banquet.
The city’s oft-touted award of “Most Patriotic Small Town in America” was the night’s highlight topic, and contest representatives Sandi McKenna and Rick Griffin took the stage to exalt Gainesville for winning the award from USA Today during July 2012 and earning national coverage.
The award’s nominee list originally also included Watertown, N.Y., Duluth, Ga., Deland, Fla., Enterprise, Ala., and Mandan, N.D. But McKenna and Griffin explained that during the judging process, the residents and officials of Gainesville revealed something special in how they honor both patriotic culture and living Medal of Honor recipients on a regular basis.
“This was really a big deal for you,” Griffin said Thursday. “This was not like Texas A&M beating South Carolina State. This was A&M beating Alabama. It’s a wonderful city. And in every city we went to, they had wonderful programs to support veterans. They had monuments, they had flags, they had great food and they had stories. But something was special about Gainesville.”
Such patriotic praise applied heavily to the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, whose members had a large part in organizing the city’s competition in the national contest. Guest speaker Rep. Mac Thornberry [R-Clarendon] credited the enthusiasm of Chamber members and their efforts during the past year.
“When you work in Austin and you work in Washington, good news is something precious and you kind of put that up front,” he said. “And the good news, tonight, for me, is being out there in front (of this audience). The enthusiasm, the energy and the dynamism that is with this organization and this community is something that you feel when you walk into the room.”
Chamber chairman Sam “Trey” McLeod singled out four recipients for awards and introduced special videos produced to spotlight each of them. Select Energy Services received the “Large Business of the Year” award; Lost Dog Productions (operated by Ben Willingham) received the “Small Business of the Year” award; DMAX Cinema received the “Newcomer of the Year” award; and Chamber associate Cheryl Davis received the “Volunteer of the Year” award. Heather Warren, Chamber member since 2008, was recognized for volunteer service during the past year. Host McLeod also acknowledged past Chamber board members Chris Cypert and Brian Wallace.
Local News
Related Photos
-
During Thursday’s 2013 Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, Chamber Executive Director Lynette Pettigrew (center) presented special plaques to USA Today contest officials Rick Griffin and Sandi McKenna. Staff photo by Greg Russell
Guest Book
Chamber banquet spotlights national acclaim
- Local News
-
-
New members join GISD board of trustees
New school board officers Corey Hardin (Place 7) and Kent Sharp (Place 6) were sworn in by Judge Chris Cypert during the Gainesville Independent School District Board meeting Monday.
-
'Shattered Dreams' makes impact at GHS
A mock drunk driving automobile accident known as “Shattered Dreams” was staged at Gainesville High School Tuesday as teachers and students witnessed what could happen if the decision was made to ride in a car with an alcohol-impaired driver.
-
Postal workers observe 'Dog Bite Awareness' week
Gainesville postal officials recently sent a reminder about “National Dog Bite Prevention Week,” which began Sunday, spans through Saturday and is sponsored by the United States Postal Service.
-
GEDC supports NTMC Foundation balloon festival
The North Texas Medical Center (NTMC) Balloon Festival and updates on the Medal of Honor Park were on the agenda at the May 20 Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) meeting.
-
Mud Run fun
Both children and adults had a blast at this year’s “M-o-o-ving Thru’ the Mud with Landon.”
-
Donation drive set to help storm victims
Donations for survivors in need following severe tornado damage in Cleburne and Granbury are currently being accepted at Bealls Department Store in the Gainesville Shopping Center.
-
Devastation slows recovery effort in Moore, Okla.
A tornado that was described as “absolutely horrific” blazed a path of destruction across this Oklahoma southeast community that now has felt Mother’s Nature’s most powerful punch several times in the past 20 years.
-
Land deal could bring corporations to city
Today’s Gainesville City Council meeting includes a public hearing on a Gainesville Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) petition to annex 143 acres of land into city limits.
-
Texas adds more than 33K new jobs in April
Texas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment expanded by 33,100 jobs in April. Texas added 326,100 jobs from April 2012 to April 2013. The state’s annual growth rate in April stood at 3.0 percent, and has been above 2.5 percent since the beginning of 2012. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in April at 6.4 percent. It remains well below the nation’s April unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.
-
Fire support and rehab team donates to Callisburg VFD
Cooke County Fire Support and Rehab Team recently purchased some items for Callisburg Volunteer Fire Department.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
