Byhalia Chamber hands out awards
The first virtual Byhalia Area Chamber Main Street Awards ceremony was held March 10 in the conference room at Northcentral Electric Cooperative headquarters in Olive Branch.
Michael Bellipanni, head of marketing and business development for Northcentral, served as emcee and handled the remote connections for the program.
Dean Stewart, president of the board of directors for the Chamber, said the virtual ceremony is the first luncheon held since COVID-19 struck in 2020.
Sarah Sawyer, executive director, said she is ready for the Chamber to go back to holding its events live. In 2020, the Chamber held four nights of farmers market, music and displays, and the White Oak Classic Golf Tournament.
Debbie Weathers, Chamber builder, offered up a moving prayer remembering the words of the Master, “When two or more are gathered together in my name, I will be in their midst.”
She asked the Spirit and hearts to be open to welcome the occasion.
“Guide our hearts,” she prayed. “We give you our business, our suppliers, our customers and our workforce.”
Stewart, in his welcoming remarks, quipped that the group present “will eat for you.” Southern Eatery in Holly Springs provided lunch.
This year marks the 19th year of the awards ceremony.
“This is the first ceremony in the virtual format. Never say never,” Sawyer said.
Looking in the rear view mirror at 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sawyer offered encouragement, optimism and positive action.
“If anything, the pandemic is forcing us to think about longer-term solutions that will help us live better personally and professionally,” she said.
She recognized the board of directors and her “staff of part-time dynamos,” Lyla McAlexander, membership and events; Taylor Dickerson, marketing and Main Street; and Becky Rogers, bookkeeper and events.
The coveted Leader of the Year award went to Marshall County chancery clerk of five terms, Chuck Thomas.
He was introduced by state representative Bill Kinkade who said leadership cannot be taught, but it can be learned.
“Chuck learned well,” he said, characterizing Thomas as “sensitive, quiet and gentle – a peace maker and statesman.”
Expressing appreciation, Thomas said he did nothing special.
“I’m just a hardworking guy. It’s a red-letter day for me,” he said.
Russell and Amanda Pennington and family were presented the Volunteer of the Year award.
Presented by Bellipanni, he praised the family for supporting Chamber activities, including summer events and serving as chair of the personnel committee.
Some events they supported included the 2020 annual awards luncheon, farmers market, baking contest, school PTO, National Night Out and holiday open house.
Jimmy Woods presented the Customer Service of the Year award to Tyler Clancy (Clancy’s Cafe) for 10 years of making people happy with his southern soul/cajun flavor restaurant business at Red Banks.
He described Clancy as “friendly, exuberant, a man of character and a server of good food.” “He’s got one of those peppermint smiles,” Woods said.
Clancy has worked with the Byhalia United Methodist Church to serve meals on wheels on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for which the restaurateur has been praised by way of “thank you” notes.
The Industry of the Year award was presented by Justin Hall, executive director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, to Volvo Group, one of the first industries to establish a warehouse and distribution center in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park.
Hall said when the industrial park was just getting off the ground, the first spec building built in the park was purchased by Volvo.
“Before the first foundation was laid, it showed the world we’re here, and what better brand to show that we can compete on a global scale,” Hall said.
“In the face of uncertainty, Volvo committed to keep America rolling in 2020 by adding 100 more employees, donating mattresses (to provide beds for COVID patients at Baptist Hospital, Collierville, Tenn.), and by participating in distribution of over 12,000 meals to the many families with food insecurity.”
A special award for Outstanding Pandemic Hero, the late Hugh Hollowell, who fell to COVID while giving service to Marshall County, was presented to Pat Hollowell.
In moving remarks, Pennington held up a child’s book, “Where’s Waldo,” and said, “Here’s Hugh.” He recited the pages in Hugh’s book of service, in many roles, to the people of Marshall County.
“He was a humble man, and an engaged man, and on many pages of The South Reporter,” Pennington said.
“There would be, too, a page remembering Hugh raising his family in Watson, serving four years in the United States Air Force, serving 40 years with the Watson Volunteer Fire Department as chief floor sweeper and then fire chief.
“He wouldn’t miss a fundraiser. He answered calls through the holidays. There’s a page about him serving with Synergy Gas, about him becoming the first Marshall County fire coordinator.
“There’s a page where he provided training classes for firemen and first responders — hazmat and life-saving medical procedures. In 1996, he became the county’s first fulltime emergency management coordinator. There’s a page where he served during tornadoes, church fires and building fires too many to count. He took thousands of photos.
“He is one of the silent heroes who kicked into overdrive. He was slated for retirement in 2020 but stayed on saying, `I can’t leave the county in a lurch. I’ll get the county through this (COVID), then I’ll retire.’ “
Hugh’s last days of service were involved with distributing personal protective equipment supplies over the county.
“He’d say, ‘aw shucks, I’m just doing my job,’ “ Pennington said.
Sawyer, in closing, said, “We’re going to plan events again this year. We’re holding our heads up. We’re looking forward to a new year. It’s time to get back together. It was a great day. Come see us at the Chamber.”
The Chamber is located at 2452 Church Street, Byhalia.