Awards were plentiful at the annual Logan County Chamber of Commerce dinner last week for a wide variety of achievements.
Notes on some of the awards appear in another article on The LoJo at http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news818.
Award winners included the following:
Volunteer of the Year: Kim Reeves of the Russellville Electric Plant Board, presented by Mandy Henley of Lewisburg Banking Company. Reeves served as president of the Chamber Ambassadors.
Logan United Award: Russellville Recreation Director Jenn Siebold, who is active in Special Olympics coaching on the local, state and national levels. Presented by Shane Hayes of Gerald Printing
Ambassador of the Year Award: Mary Ann Henry of Auburn Senior Citizens. Presented by Chamber Executive Assistant Karen Logan
Farm Family of the Year: Don Halcomb’s Walnut Grove Farms. This family farm in the Schochoh area has belonged to Don and his ancestors since the 1830s. Logan County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Leann Martin made the presentation. Shown in the accompanying photo are Halcomb, his wife Meredith, their daughter-in-law Stephanie (wife of Sam Halcomb), and their children, Everette, Sydney and Lizzie Halcomb.
Corporate Citizen of the Year: Carpenter Co., which has donated over $8 million to non-profit organizations and schools over the years through its E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, said presenter Holli Brown of First Southern National Bank. Accepting the award was Russellville Plant Manager Cliff Paddock on behalf of the Foundation.
Teacher of the Year: Jennifer Baker of Adairville Elementary School, who was cited for extra work with her students, including young leukemia patient Charlie Moore. Presented by Logan County Schools Superintendent Paul Mullins.
Baker wrote on Facebook: “Thank you to all those who have made me feel so special. Mrs. Darlynn Moore for the nomination and kind words you wrote about me, to sweet Charlie who is a real hero in my mind. To all the students I have had in the past twenty-two years, each and everyone have been important to me. To Brexley who sent me the most beautiful roses today (hope she feels better soon), and to all the teachers and assistants who have helped me along the way. To my four children who have always understood that while they are my children I have a new class of my kids every year to devote my love and attention to as well... Thank you all... And a special thank you to the Logan County Chamber of Commerce for selecting me as teacher of the year.”
Retiring Board Members: Amanda Gossett of State Farm Insurance and U.S. Army retired officer Mike McCormick, who has served on the Logan County Board of Education and Russellville City Council as well as being the first Logan County Solid Waste Coordinator.
Tammy Tinsley is executive director of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce.