GENTRY — Gentry Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet will be Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant in Gentry, with dinner being served at 6 p.m. and the program starting at 7 p.m.

The Chamber is currently taking nominations for 2010 Outstanding Volunteer, 2010 Outstanding Businessperson, 2010 Outstanding Civic Organization, 2010 Rookie of the Year and 2010 Pioneer of the Year, said Bev Saunders, executive director of the Gentry Chamber. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 30. The Chamber of Commerce board of directors will vote to select winners from among the nominations.

Lifetime Achievement

The Chamber is also accepting nominationsfor Lifetime Achievement Awards. Those currently nominated are: Fred Adams, Tuffy Heald, Hugh Carl, Ervin Cripps, Dawson Shankle, Ora Folger, David Millsap, Nina Steele, Leo Kaufman, Lemuel Cripps, D.W. Feemster, W.V. Steele and B.C. Wiles. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 21.

"The purpose of the Lifetime Achievement Award is to honor those who have made a positive impact on Gentry and to make sure they are not forgotten in the town’s history." Saunders said. "It is suggested that nominations for the award be persons who have lived, worked or volunteered in the community for a minimum of 25 years.Nominees can be living or deceased individuals."

A group of electors will vote from nominees to determine the recipient(s) of this year’s award(s).

Previous Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, and the year they were inducted, are: J.R.Bever, Sr. 1988; Rai Steele, 1988; FG Twiggs, 1988; Kathryn Elsner, 1988; Bob Curran, 1988; Bob Carl, 1989; Maurice Lamberson, 1989; Dr. A.L. Peacock, 1989; John Parks, 1990; Marvin Phillips, 1990; Roy Backer, 1992; Tom Burns, 1992; Clyde Glass, 1992; Pat Parks, 1992; John Schaffer, 1993; Paul Sugg, 1993; Joe Carl, 2005; Clegg Ratcliff, 2007; John Binns, 2007; Dale Carpenter, 2007; Art Steele, 2007; J.D. Smith, 2007; J.R. “Bob” Bever, 2008; Lyle Glass, 2008; Railey Steele, 2008; Oral Sullivan, 2008; Roy Bolin, 2008; Doris Carter, 2009; Mildred Backer, 2009; Dr. Bob Weaver, 2010; and Ross Wilmoth, 2010.

Please send nominations for awards to the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 642, Gentry, AR 72734, call 736-2358, or e-mail them to info@gentrychamber.

For more information on the banquet, tickets or awards, please call Saunders at 736-2358.

News, Pages 2 on 01/12/2011