"Teaming Up For Success" The Chamber's 2011 Annual Banquet Really Was A Success

Jeff Turner welcomed everyone to the Annual Chamber Banquet Friday night, March 25, 2011.  Mr. Sam Cartwright welcomed special guests to the banquet then Steve Schmidt-Witcher gave the pledge followed by Milton Pax saying the prayer for the dinner.

Jeff Turner the Chamber Chairman was the presenter of the award 2010 Small Business Award which had previously been know as the Retailer of the Year Award. Changing the name of the award now allows more types of businesses to be eligible for this award.  This year's winner was Jack Oldham Oil Company who not only expanded it's business but did so while there was construction going on right at their front door from the overpass construction.  Ricky Bynum and Lynn Davis accepted the awards on behalf of the company.

Chamber Volunteer of the Year winner - Tracy DeShazo for her dedication to the beautification work of placing over 72 barrels of flowers at businesses around the city.  Tracy stated that she did not do this all on her own that a whole committee of individuals also helped and reminded everyone to water those barrels.

Sam Cartwright the CEO and President of the Chamber presented the 2010 "Garland Smith" Dumas Visitor Center Volunteer of the Year.  This year's winner was described as a person of many talents whose created mind can transform an idea into reality.  She has been a volunteer since the Visitor Center opened in 2003 and is always willing to help where needed.  The winner - Nadine Holberg.  Congratulations Nadine.

2010 Community Leadership Award was presented by Melissa Nolte of Memorial Hospice who received this award for 2009 on behalf of Memorial Hospice. The 2010 Community Leadership Award winner was Dumas Education Foundation.  DEF was established in 1994 for the purpose of promoting educational opportunity through scholarships and teacher grants. (See Tuesday email for more on this story).  Receiving this award on behalf of DEF was Brenda Rice incoming President and Bob Brinkmann.

Shelly Burnett, Vice President of the Museum Board of Directors presented the 2010 Joyce Dillow Heritage Award to Mike Simms who now lives in Amarillo but still very active in the museum.  Mike has been a board member since 1997 and is one of the pioneering families that came to the Panhandle area in 1906.  Mike Simms in the 38th recipient of the Joyce Dillow Heritage Award which is a Window on the Plains Museum Award.

2010 Outstanding Citizen Award winner was Tom Ferguson.  Tom was recognized for serving in the Sunray and Dumas community in such ways as the United Way of Moore County President and Drive Chairman, board member of Casa 69, the YMCA of Moore County, the Dumas/Moore County Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Ferguson received the Melvin Jones award when he served as President of the Sunray Lions Club and is presently the Boss Lion of the Dumas Noon Lions Club.  Tom Ferguson also has served on the Moore County Hospital District board and is one of the original board members of the Dumas Economic Development Corporation.  President of Ad Rem Land Development Incorporated as well as manager/broker of Ad Rem Land Company.  Tom and Peggy Ferguson have been married for thirty years, has five children, twelve grandchildren and five great grand children.

Out going board members, Wanda Brooks and Doel Cordero were presented with a clock as a token of appreciation and Jim Haugen received a plaque for his partial term as President by now President Jeff Turner.

The banquet ended with great music by the Insufficient Funds with a variety of music and a couple of songs by Dumas's own Dianna Cartwright wife of Sam Cartwright with Insufficient Funds.