The Brundidge Business Association honored the best of Brundidge at its annual banquet. Grafton’s Furniture for Less was selected as business of the year.

Dorothea Dow, past president of BBA, mentioned last year’s winner, Steed Tires, in her presentation of the award.

“Someone told me there was only one person who worked harder than Mr. (Lamar) Steed and that was Mr. (Bill) Grafton,” she said.

Dow complimented Grafton’s understanding of retail marketing and the care he took in making his business have curb appeal.

“It’s pretty obvious y’all don’t have access to my financial records,” quipped Grafton when he accepted his award.

The BBA continued its tradition of announcing the teachers of the year from Pike County High School and Pike County Elementary School.

The school’s music department was also involved in the banquet. The Pike County Jazz Band performed during dinner and BBA members collected donations to help the band’s fund raising efforts for an upcoming trip to Florida.

For the first time since PCHS Principal Willie Wright came to the school, the staff elected a special education teacher as teacher of the year. Regina Catrett is a self-contained special education teacher at PCHS.

“She comes to school every day with a smile and she’s an inspiration to me,” Wright said. “We love you, we appreciate you, and we are blessed to have you.”

Pike County Elementary School Principal Anita Grant announced relative newcomer Kristina Anderson as the school’s teacher of the year. Anderson is a Troy University graduate and has been with the school for four years.

Grant said she noticed how Anderson could motivate students and staff from the start.

“She’s always in the middle of something that is great in our school. She has become a motivating factor in our school,” Grant said.

Miss Brundidge Kori Chirico and Little Miss Brundidge Elly Stevens were also a part of the honored guests. Both pageant winners thanked Brundidge businesses for their support.

Before introducing the incoming president of BBA, Dow thanked everyone who had helped make BBA events a success.

“We have people who give so much of their time to help Brundidge business,” she said.

Past President Chuck Caraway returned to his post as the 2014 BBA president. The rest of this year’s officers are Dixie Shehane as vice president, Dorothea Dow as secretary and Bonnie Dansby as treasurer.

The BBA board of directors grew to six for 2014. Joining 2013 members of the board King Issac and Linda Faust will be Earnestine Beachum, Isabell Boyd, Linda Dansby and Lamar Steed.

Dow said BBA needed more members to share the load and help with events. The association meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

Brundidge Mayor James Ramage said few towns of 2,079 can boast the successes and the budget of his town. He credited the town’s businesses and its alliances with neighboring chambers for the success.

“If there’s anything we can do to make Brundidge a better place, just call us, text us, email us,” he said. “We do appreciate y’all.