GENTRY -- Chamber members and other guests and visitors filled the Wooden Spoon Restaurant on Thursday evening to celebrate Gentry and to honor individuals, businesses and organizations which have contributed much to Gentry and the community. And, following a much-enjoyed dinner, awards were presented.
In addition to the lifetime achievement award in recognition of the work of the late Arthur Tallman, owner and publisher of the Gentry Journal-Advance from 1897 until 1921 and an employee of the paper at the time of his death in 1924, to promote the city of Gentry, the Gentry Chamber of Commerce presented other awards at its banquet held at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant on Thursday evening.
Volunteers of the year were Mae Burgess and Ethyl Mattox for their making of dolls, teddy bears, quilts, blankets and more. Over the past 15 years, Mae, with the help of her sister Ethyl, made 23,050 bears, 1,034 dolls, 1,087 twin and lap quilts and hundreds of lap robes, blankets and turtle bean bags for children.
The duo made their crafts to help those in need and those going through difficult times. Bears were made for police to distribute to children in times of trauma. Dolls, quilts and blankets were sent to an Indian reservation in New Mexico.
Gentry Police Department was honored with the organization of the year award. The department was honored for its faithful service to the city and its residents. Specifically mentioned was the service provided at chamber events such as the July 4 Freedom Festival, the volunteer service to ready the new police station and build the park restrooms, as well as the hours put in by volunteer reserve officers to keep city residents safe.
The business of the year award went to Flying Lens Visuals, a video business of Shane McNair, who also owns and operates McNair Plumbing. McNair takes aerial videos at chamber sponsored events and shares them with the public. He also assisted the chamber in producing the historical documentary, "Reflections of Gentry."
Doc Savage received the award for McNair, who had a previous engagement and could not attend the banquet.
Community on 03/02/2016