Byhalia luncheon returns in style

The Byhalia Area Chamber Main Street Awards Luncheon had not been held since March 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic.

BACMS made up for it March 17 with a happy affair where the community turned out to recognize its best achievers in 2021 in the auditorium of the Old School Commons.

There were broad smiles and hugs, and happily without masks.

For newly-sworn-in Byhalia Mayor Debby Tuttle Weathers, only the third woman to serve as mayor of the town, it was her first day at work. She was sworn in at 8:30 a.m. At Town Hall.

“This is quite humbling for me,” she said. “In 1978 I stood on this stage at pregraduation and later listened to a college recruiter telling us to make our mark on the world. I just wanted to raise kids.”

Immediately after moving back to Byhalia she found good friends, and joined the Byhalia Area Chamber and began to serve the community. “I look forward to serving Byhalia in

lots of ways,” Weathers said. “I look forward to watching us grow together. Please call. If I don’t answer I’ll call back and if I need you, I am relentless.”

It was Weather’s second speech as mayor of Byhalia. She spoke at her swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day.

It was BACMS’s 20^th award ceremony. Chamber executive director Sarah Sawyer said business members look for a return on their investment, a return through safe streets, a better workforce, a shared vision, a beautiful, clean town, good schools, medical care, roads and Internet and with a business-friendly government.

“Let’s believe that we must leave things better than the way we found it,” she said.

Amazon, represented by Candice Miller, was chosen as Member of the Day.

Susan Bonds was recognized for her work as director of the Byhalia Area Arts Council replacing Faye Woods who has stepped down due to health concerns. BACMS made a donation to the Arts Council at the meeting.

Volunteer of the Year

John Danley, assistant principal at Byhalia High School, presented the volunteer of the year award to Teri Reagh, who with her husband Jim responded to a call to help the school raise money for supplies.

The Reaghs made a big contribution and from there became partners with the school to help children.

Teri has served as an assistant coach for boys soccer and girls softball.

She is active in the Parent Teachers Organization and helps raise funds for many projects involving children, a champion of many causes, especially in sports.

Jim has walked by his wife’s side in supporting activities and causes that make a difference in the community.

“We’re retired, and your kids have become ours,” Teri Reagh said in accepting the award.

Community Service

Rust College alumna Monet Autry introduced Dr. Ivy Taylor, president of Rust College.

The college, now under new leadership, is transitioning to a more modern curriculum and campus environment and was recognized for community service.

Autry is a graduate of Rust and also has taught there.

“I really enjoyed working with students from around the world,” Autry said.

The college motto, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” was used in the introduction to the historic institution founded in 1866 to educate freed men. It is a historic Black liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

Taylor spoke of the “tremendous impact” Rust College has in the area. Rust is rebirthing itself in what is now referred lovingly as the Rust College Renaissance.

Today emphasis is placed on training its students for the modern world of technology and social media, music and marketing.

Physical, social, and academic needs of area youth and children are a priority. Rust is partnering with other institutions to build programs for its students of today and tomorrow.

Industry of the Year

Northcentral Connect was selected for recognition for rollout of its fiber optics program to provide high speed broadband to its service area. Northcentral Connect puts safety of its employees first to make sure they get to go home at night.

The provider seeks continuous improvement, integrity and accountability, and is locally owned and community invested in Marshall County, its families, farmers, businesses, and schools to provide customer service at an affordable price.

Board director Pat Woods credited Wayne Hollowell, the former executive director of Northcentral, for helping charter the Byhalia Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m real excited to be part of the original board, as well as Chickasaw Trail,” Woods said. “With growth comes needs. High speed Internet is trying to bring the world to working people. We just try to be leaders just like Wayne did in 1987.”

Kevin Doddridge, CEO of Northcentral and a graduate of Ole Miss, acknowledged Hollowell’s mark on his life. Hollowell chose Doddridge just as he was graduating to come to Northcentral.

“I accept this award on behalf of Mr. Hollowell, who, if he did nothing else, in 1987 hired me straight out of the University of Mississippi,” Doddridge said. “He hoped I would be a strong advocate for public power and learn the cooperative model.”

He thanked the audience and community that has enabled Northcentral to bring broadband to the area.

Eighteen months into the construction of Northcentral Connect, 200 miles of fiber has brought broadband to 1,600 customers and spent $16 million with another $120 million to go, Doddridge said.

Leader of the Year

Montie Hamblen presented the Leader of the Year Award to Jan Sisk, a leader for many years. A member of the Byhalia Garden Club, the Blue Jay’s Junior Gardeners and the Byhalia Area Chamber Main Street, Sisk was employed by the Chamber 15 years, after retiring from FedEx.

She has contributed much to beautification of the town. Sisk is known best for her leadership skills in various areas such as gardening, anti-litter campaigns, and Arbor Day activities and working with children.

An encourager and friend to many, she is known for her teaching and as a worker bee.

“Jan’s thankfulness shows in her beautifully written notes and comes from the heart,” said Sawyer. “Leadership is the little things that make big things happen.

“I was surprised,” Sisk said. “I didn’t see myself as a leader. I say thank you from those of us working from the sidelines.

“Step up, step out, and have a servant’s heart and always be the best you can be.”