Banquet 2007

By Editor

January 14, 2008

A resourceful resident who didn't feel like driving to a parade in Dallas 13 years ago so his wife's Pathfinder group could earn a merit badge, so he started a nighttime holiday parade in Keene, was named Citizen of the Year at the 14th annual Keene Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday night at the Committee of 100 Cafeteria at Southwestern Adventist University.

Also, four educators and a ubiquitous senior citizen were among the honorees recognized for contributions to Keene.

Guest speaker Al Fike, a Christian comedian who owns comedy clubs in Addison and Houston, had the audience of 270 crying with laughter as he told stories and used his hands and a saw as musical instruments.

Citizen of the Year Tim Sinclair didn't want to attend a parade in Dallas, so he raised interest and money and started the Keene Christmas Light Parade in 1995. Now, 12 years later, the parade attracts a large number of entries. A fireworks show follows the parade, scheduled this year for 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.

Other annual awards and the recipients included:
• The Pioneer Award to Lillian Davis
• The Educator of the Year Award to Keene ISD Intermediate School teachers Pat Sisk and Duane York for the public schools and, for the private schools, Dr. Art Chadwick of Southwestern Adventist University and Ann Valdez of Chisholm Trail Academy
• The Community Service Award to Dale Hainey
• The Community Improvement Award to Read-Billingsley Real Estate, Sonic Drive-In and Wash Depot
• The Young Entrepreneur Award to Dave Tucker of Dave the Camera Guy.

Janet Goodman and Randy Yates were presented plaques of appreciation for three years of outstanding service to the Chamber. Each is leaving the Chamber board because their terms of service end.

Wendi Yoder, a secretary in the office of Custom Insurance Services, was presented a $50 credit card for her work in organizing the banquet.

This is the 11th year for the Chamber to recognize a "Citizen of the Year," with Ortiz being the 13th recipient.

Past honorees include: the late V.O. Schneider in 1996; Jessie Small in 1997; Bugger Putnam in 1998; Gary Heinrich and Wayne Tomblinson in 1999; Phil Hooten and the late Sam Capps in 2000; Ray Nichols in 2001; Keene Adventist Church youth pastor Russ Laughlin in 2002; Keene City Administrator James Minor in 2003; former SWAU librarian and current Keene City Councilman Robert Cooper in 2004; and, in 2005, Sharan Boelter, owner of Custom Insurance Services.

Last year the award was presented to Yddo Ortiz.

Lillian Davis is the 10th recipient of the eight-year-old Pioneer Award that recognizes "an individual or organization whose long-ago contribution and influence helped make Keene what it is today."

Previous honorees were Ben Putnam in 1999, Ola George in 2000, Morris Lowry in 2001, Dolly Spells-Chastain and Dick Kimbrow in 2002, William "Buck" Alexander in 2003, James Bothe in 2004, Dale Hollis in 2005 and, last year, Ray Turner.

For many years, Mrs. Davis, a retired school teacher, volunteers to serve on numerous committees that plan major events in Keene, including the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration, STARfest, the Christmas Light Parade, and a variety of boards and committees at the Keene Adventist Church.

The Educator of the Year is one who "demonstrates excellence in the classroom and goes the extra mile by being involved in the lives of students outside the classroom," according to the criteria of the award.

The award was first presented in 2001 when the honorees were Cheri Harrison, physical education teacher at Keene elementary and intermediate schools, and Bill Kilgore, associate professor of religion at SWAU.

In 2002, Mary Guinn was honored for the public school and Marlene Gilleroth for the private schools.

In 2003, the honorees were Charlotte Larkin for the private schools, and Harley Larkin for the public school.

In 2004, the honor went to Delmon Tucker at the public school and Tyke Connell for the private schools.

In 2005, public school honorees were elementary school computer teacher Jimmie Rogers and District Superintendent Wanda Smith. Cheryl The (pronounced tay) was honored for the private schools.

Last year, Linda Ramsey was honored for the public school and Dale Anderson for the private schools.

Mrs. Sisk and York were presented by KISD Superintendent Kevin Sellers, who said both are dedicated teachers who touch the lives of their students. Many in the audience stood when Sellers asked those who have been taught by Mrs. Sisk to stand. She is in her 50th year in the classroom.

Chadwick has brought worldwide recognition to SWAU with his GPS and other technology used to discover dinosaur bones at SWAU's annual Dinosaur Dig in Wyoming.

Valdez, the athletic director at CTA, has improved the quality of the interscholastic athletic program, increased student participation, increased the number of teams and involved numerous volunteer coaches.

The Community Service Award was Dale Hainey for his unselfish commitment to assisting in numerous city events.

Previous Community Service Award winners include: the Keene Volunteer Fire-Rescue Department, longtime educator Jerry Becker, and the Keene Police Department in 1998; Elisa Carver and John and Billie Griswell in 1999; Fred Alexander, Tyke Connell, and June Hollis in 2000; Keene Kares and Dr. Brady Rusk in 2001; Lillian Davis in 2002; Yddo Ortiz, Frank and Jean Peterson and Joyce Shaw in 2003; Bugger Putnam and Yddo Ortiz in 2004; Mary Ann Hadley in 2005, and, last year, the Keene Adventist Church for organizing the Resurrection Pageant.

Although Hainey is director of the physical plant for SWAU, he volunteers countless hours to assist with parades, celebrations and other activities in the city, always working behind the scenes.

At the annual SWAU banquet to begin the school year, he was given the first "Extra Mile Award" for going above and beyond the expected.

The "Community Improvement Award" honors businesses for contributing to the beautification of the city through new buildings and/or well manicured grounds and landscaping, thus presenting a positive image and improving the quality of life in Keene.

Seven businesses were honored in 1999, the first year the award was given. They were the First State Bank of Keene, Keene Pharmacy, Harvest Market, Zitro International, Inc., SWAU, Keene ISD, and the Texas Adventist Book Center.

In 2000, the Hopps Museum and Welcome Center and the Keene Cemetery Association were honored.

In 2001, Karmy Construction, Hadley Excavation, and Liquid Stone Concrete received the award for their combined work on the 84-car parking lot at the Keene Adventist Church.

In 2002 the Chamber honored one of the awardıs first recipients, SWAU, and its plant services director, Robby Psencik, for the improved landscaping on campus.

In 2003, the honoree was the Park Board for their work in completing Elisa Carver Park.

In 2004, the honorees were Chisholm Trail Retirement Community and SWAU.

In 2005, the award was presented to the Keene Broadband Technological Committee for providing high-speed WiFi (wireless) communication in Keene.

Last year, the award was presented to SWAU in recognition of the new Pechero Hall and the demolition of the old Brandom buildings.

This year's honorees, Read-Billingsley Real Estate, Sonic Drive-In and Wash Depot, built new building or, in Read-Billingsley's case, remodeled an existing structure.

Mandy Smith of Mandy's Coffee and Bistro and Justin Woods of Woods Media won the first Young Entrepreneur Award last year.

This year, the award was presented to Dave Tucker of Dave the Camera Guy.

The officers and board members for 2007-08 are: Paul Gnadt, president; Jere Putnam II, vice president; Sarah Layton, treasurer; David Phillips, membership director; Gwen Beeson, secretary; and board members Glen Ball, Phil Robertson and Justin Woods.