recognized at banquet

By AMY LANSDON

News Editor

Every day the Pike County Chamber of Commerce works diligently to promote Pike County.

Although much of the work of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce is behind the scenes, it is evident in the growth and progress of the county.

To celebrate the prosperity of the county, the Chamber of Commerce holds an annual banquet to recognize chamber members who have had a positive impact on both the chamber and the county it represents.

This year the format of the banquet will be different than past banquets. Instead of a guest speaker, the Chamber of Commerce has created a presentation of information and photographs of the progress made in the county in the 1999-2000 year.

"It is the perfect opportunity to see what the chamber does in helping the county grow," said Jenniffer Barner, community development director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. "The presentation is very impressive and interesting as well as entertaining. It is remarkable what has been accomplished over the past year."

The theme of the Chamber of Commerce Banquet is "1999-2000: A Year in Review," and it umbrellas the various accomplishments, not only of the chamber, but of the county and the people who made the progress possible. Barner said those people and many others in the community are an intricate part of the Chamber of Commerce and will be visible in the presentation.

"There will be a lot of familiar faces in the presentation, but there will also be awards given for chamber members who have dedicated their time for the betterment of the county," she said.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce awards are given each year to chamber members who have played an active role and have been a positive influence in the county and the Chamber of Commerce. Barner said the awards are given to recognize these people, but she said everyone who works with the Chamber is greatly appreciated.

This year six awards will be given.

Col. John Schmidt, past chairman of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award; the School to Career Program will receive the Education Award; Troy Elementary will receive the Pike County Role Model Award for its "Please, Don’t Litter" campaign; the Colley Senior Complex will receive the Senior Citizen Involvement Award; Laura Tidwell, President/CEO of Enginehouse Media, will receive the Entrepreneurial Award; and IGA/Johnny Garrett will receive the Small Business of the Year Award.

"We are looking forward to the banquet and having the opportunity to recognize these people," said Marsha Gaylard, president of the Pike County. "We are also excited about illustrating what has been accomplished this year thanks to their hard work."

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Troy County Club. Space is still available, and reservations can still be made by calling the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 566-2294.

"We encourage people to attend the banquet," Barner said. "We think they will be very impressed with the progress that has been made and the positive direction the county is moving."