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Bryant celebrates at Winter Banquet |
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Wednesday, 27 January 2010 |
A large crowd turned out Tuesday night for the 37th annual Bryant Winter Banquet at Pulaski Technical College South Campus.
The event, sponsored by the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce, recognized community leaders and accomplishments of the city that recently was named 86th in the top 100 Small Towns in America by CNN Money Magazine.
Jack Carney, senior vice president of First Security Bank, served as master of ceremonies, welcoming those in attendance and recognizing special guests.
Around 400 attended the event, according to Rae Ann Fields, the chamber’s executive director.
The city’s greatest asset, according to Fields, is the Bryant School District, and that point was emphasized with the school district being named Business/Organization of the Year.
To further emphasize the strength of the school district, Dr. Richard Abernathy, superintendent, was named Member of the Year.
Another special award went to state Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, who received a lifetime membership in the chamber.
“This has been done only three times in the history of the organization,” Fields said.
Joe Wishard, the incoming president of the organization, spoke about the city he moved to 23 years ago. He encouraged others to get involved in chamber projects and support the community.
He noted that when he became a Bryant resident, he was mentored by Jimmy Morgan, who got him involved with Fall Fest.
He asked those president to “take a look back at the Bryant business community and how it has grown” as well as the “wonderful school district.”
Wishard encouraged chamber members and other residents to be “engaged and supportive” of future endeavors.
Mentioning a promotional theme, “Find it in Bryant,” Wishard said, “You can find almost anything in Bryant.”
Noting the city’s businesses and amenities, he mentioned the Cracker Barrel restaurant, adding that “people from all over the country have sat in those rocking chairs.”
Mentioning advice he received from his grandmother and other relatives, Wishard encouraged residents to “put your best feet forward because you never know who’s going to be watching and listening.”
“Buckle up ... and hang on because we’re going forward,” Wishard said.
New members of the chamber board of directors were recognized.
A special part of the banquet program was presented by KATV-Channel 7 news anchor Christina Muñoz, who co-authored the book “Making Memories: The Celebration of the Life of Anne Pressly” with KATV News Director Randy Dixon.
Pressly, a former KATV reporter, was murdered in her home in late October 2008.
At the start of her remarks, Munoz pointed out that in sharing memories of Pressly, she would be focusing “on her life, not her death.”
“Anne taught me how to have fun ... and to find the fun,” Munoz said of her friend.
Special entertainment was presented by Elvis tribute artist Tony Witt, who performed music made famous by Elvis Presley. Witt sang during the silent auction that preceded the dinner.
At the start of the banquet, Bryant businessman Justin Donaldson sang the national anthem and the colors were presented by cadets of the Bryant High School Junior ROTC.
Carney led the pledge of allegiance to the flag and the invocation was give by Joe Statton of Geyer Springs Baptist Church.
Giving results of the silent auction was state Rep. Ann Clemmer, R-Salem community.
The meal for the banquet was prepared and served by students in Pulaski Tech’s culinary school.
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