The New Boston Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards banquet from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tueday at First Baptist Church of New Boston, Texas.
The Chamber's new president, Sue Anderson, chose the theme "The Little Town with the Big Heart," taken from a book written by local resident Mike Hawron, which depicts life in this small Northeast Texas town.
"We'll be giving out three awards this year: The Doyle Corley Award, the Lloyd Wilson Award and the Business Spotlight Award," Anderson said.
Both Corley and Wilson have been well-known for their humanitarian and philanthropic devotion to the town.
Edna Walker will present the Doyle Corley Humanitarian Award, given to an individual, business or group who made significant efforts to improve the city of New Boston.
"They will receive a big trophy that they get to keep throughout the year, and then next year, they will pass it down and we'll give them a plaque to display in its place," Anderson said.
The Lloyd Wilson Outstanding Citizens trophy will be presented by Rick Rothwell. This special award is given in gratitude to a citizen for helping to beautify, promote and support the town.
The Business Spotlight Award, to be presented by David Daniels, is a crystal eagle figurine enclosed in a beautiful wood-and-glass case that the winning business can display at its location for the next year. It will also be replaced with a plaque within a year's time so that next year's winner can have the opportunity to share the spotlight.
"It's an honor to receive these awards and to be nominated," Anderson said.
The firefighters of New Boston have volunteered to prepare the meal for the event. They will be serving chicken breasts, brisket and sausage. Side items will include green beans, baked potato casserole, salad and banana pudding for dessert.
The activities of the evening will include entertainment provided by Dale Cummings, known as "The C," of Winnsboro, who will perform during the meal. Cummings is known locally for performing country music from the 1970s and 1980s.
"He has played at the Oaklawn Opry in Texarkana, so people around here know him. We were very fortunate that he was available," Anderson said.
The evening's keynote speaker will be Tommy Earl Burton, pastor of Tapp United Methodist Church in New Boston.
"He's so full of life. He's so bubbly," Anderson said, while adding that she is looking forward to the night's events.
Mike Hawron will also be on hand for book signings and visits with his fellow New Bostonians. He sent the Chamber a Christmas card last December that featured the cover page of his book. Anderson saw the card and knew immediately that she wanted it as the theme for the banquet.
"He was so excited when I told him we wanted to use his book. He's not from New Boston. He has been a world traveler who ended up here in New Boston. The book tells about New Boston and how he came to love it here."
Presentation of the Miss New Boston Court will be made by Tristen Burks.
Rothwell will give the invocation and benediction.
Farewells and departures will be given to the outgoing board members and the new board members will be introduced.
United Fund information will be presented by Wanda Looney.
At presstime, 25 businesses have reserved space in the foyer of the church, where they will display their wares and give out mementos to attendees. At the end of the evening, these businesses will hold drawings for door prizes.
Anderson has suggested a dress code for the event as "Sunday Best."
"We don't want it to be dressy-dressy, but church dressy. It used to be really fancy. But through the years, it has become more casual. I would like for it to get back to something that people will really look forward to," she said.
As of presstime, fewer than 30 tickets remained available for the banquet out of an original 250 seats, which was their initial goal that would enable everyone to be seated comfortably at the fellowship hall at the church.
"Tickets are $15 per person. And we offered to the Chamber members if they buy a table, they pay for seven and get the eighth one free," she said.
The church is at 505 South McCoy Blvd., just south of Texas Highway 8 and U.S. Highway 82.
Further information may be obtained by calling the Chamber office at 903-628-2581.
In addition to planning the banquet for New Boston's businesses, Anderson, who took command of the Chamber in January, said she already has several plans in production for the next couple of years.
They will begin choosing a Business of the Week, putting all the members' names in a hopper and selecting four winners for each month. Each winning business will receive a sign placed at its front door, recognition on the Chamber's marquee and notification given in weekly newspaper ads.