GRAVETTE -- Pharmacists Ron Teasley, of Teasley Drug, and Ken Austin, of Austin Drug, were honored last Thursday night as Citizens of the Year at the annual Gravette Chamber of Commerce banquet. They were presented plaques in appreciation for their many contributions to the city of Gravette by Chamber treasurer Rickie Stark. Stark praised both Teasley and Austin for their willingness to always help with any project to enhance the city.
About 200 guests attended the Chamber banquet, held at Horton Farms, located on Bethlehem Road southeast of Gravette. It was a cool, crisp winter evening and the attractively decorated Sierra Grand Hall was the perfect place to gather and visit with friends and fellow Chamber members.
Prior to the evening meal, guests socialized and looked over a wide array of door prizes donated by area businesses and individuals. Each placed his entry in a jar beside the prize of his choice and the prizes were distributed to the lucky winners at the end of the evening.
Gravette photographer Steve Huckriede set up an attractive display of his photographs and offered prints and framed prints of his work for sale. A wine tasting was sponsored by Macadoodles and guests could sample four Oregon wines and learn about their features. Appetizers, including smoked sausage, Wisconsin cheddar cubes, fresh fruit and stuffed mushroom caps, were served preceding the main meal.
Guests sat at tables for eight and enjoyed a delicious meal, catered by Steven Martinez of Hard Luck Cafe. The menu featured mixed green salad, Chicken Marsala, USDA prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans almondine, sweet corn and rolls. Dessert, Creole style cheesecake with a choice of toppings, was provided by Copeland's of New Orleans.
Following the meal, Chamber president Eric Meyer addressed the group and spoke about his vision for the Chamber. He encouraged all to join the Chamber and help the group in promoting the growth and enhancement of the community. He said he believed much progress could be made if everyone would help set common goals and work toward their achievement.
Kurt Maddox, Gravette's new mayor, spoke to the group and shared some of his plans for the city of Gravette. He said he had received the good news from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department that repaving of Arkansas Highway 59 through the city was on its agenda for this year. He confirmed that he and street department head Tim Dewitt had met with the AHTD and called attention to several bad sections of the highway. The AHTD plan is to resurface from south of town at the Spavinaw Creek Bridge all the way through town.
After presenting the 2014 Citizen of the Year plaques to Teasley and Austin, Rickie Stark drew tickets for the door prizes to conclude the evening program.
Mayor Maddox, in speaking of the banquet, commented, "What a great Chamber event! To have that many people out in support of our city is very exciting for our city's future."
General News on 02/18/2015