Chamber recognizes businesses, individuals at annual banquet

NEWPORT — Members and guests gathered Jan. 25 for the 82nd annual Newport Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Newport Country Club.

Tara Salinas, 2017 president of the chamber’s board of directors, served as emcee of the event.

Julie Allen, chamber executive director, recognized special guests in the audience and thanked the chamber’s board of directors, officers and ex officio members.

She conducted an “unofficial poll” by asking those in the audience if they had participated in various chamber-supported programs throughout 2017. Among the programs she mentioned were the Shop Til You Drop promotion, the New Vision Newport leadership development course that might have led to involvement with the chamber, Business After Hours, Portfest, Depot Days, the Christmas parade and providing scholarships to Jackson County high school seniors.

“These and many other chamber programs and services are making an impact in Newport and Jackson County for our citizens, business and industry, and visitors, in large part due to your support as chamber members,” she told those in the audience. “So thank you, but a portion of the chamber’s budget relies on fundraising.”

Allen said a special fundraising event is planned this year in conjunction with the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

The Pot ’o Gold fundraiser will take place March 16 at the Newport Country Club.

“Someone will have a chance to win $10,000,” she said. “Only 100 tickets will be sold; each ticket costs $200 and includes one guest. The event will include free hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, as well as live music, dancing and lots of fun.”

For more information on the fundraiser, call the chamber office at (870) 523-3618.

Allen said the chamber recognized several individuals and organizations for their efforts in 2017. She and members of the chamber’s board of directors introduced the following award recipients at the banquet.

• The Community Pride Award was presented to Roger Stone.

Jenna Austin, 2017 chamber board secretary-treasurer, said Stone has been “behind the scenes of many worthy projects, … including the renovation of the new Seeds of Faith Church, the former Craig Printing building, the professional building and guidance for many upcoming projects that will positively affect downtown Newport.”

• The Ambassador Award was presented to John Watson.

Kevin Pearce, 2018 chamber board president, said Watson “is an outstanding advocate for our community, both at home and across the state. Our recipient has had many titles over the years: volunteer, director, chairman, president and referee. In every role, from youth activities to chamber functions, he brings with him his genuine personality, outstanding character and a strong passion for the people and the community that he calls home.”

• The Small Business Award went to Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts.

Charee Moore, 2017 chamber board vice president, said Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts is one of Newport’s oldest businesses. She said the business went “above and beyond in 2017 by giving back to the community in both times of sadness and in celebration.”

• The Large-Business Award was presented to the White River Health System.

Mark Manning, 2016 chamber board president, said this business “has had a presence in Jackson County for over a decade, but in 2016, a significant investment in the economic well-being and health of Jackson County was made by transforming an old building into a state-of-the-art outpatient center. This $3 million project opened in the fall of 2017.”

• The Bright Future Award went to Frankie’s Place.

Salinas said this award “recognizes a business that is laying the groundwork for a long and prosperous future.” She said Frankie’s Place “has had many successes since it opened, but it was a change in location that has helped it to grow. … It is now serving as an important anchor for the

future of the arts and entertainment district in downtown Newport.”

• The Outstanding Citizen Award was presented to Sandra Massey, chancellor of Arkansas State UniversityNewport. (See the related story elsewhere in today’s

Three Rivers Edition.)

Two others awards were presented at the banquet.

Ward Massey, chairman of the Jackson County Council on Tourism, presented the Friend of Tourism Award to the DRIVE (Downtown Revitalization and Improvement Volunteer Effort) Committee for downtown revitalization.

Allen presented the Depot Days Award to Andy May, who served as an additional “stage manager/emcee/equipment-mover/jack-of-all-trades” at the 2017 Depot Days.

The guest speaker was Heather Fox, learning and development team manager with FedEx in Memphis. Allen said Fox’s “true passion is inspiring others to grow, both personally and professionally.” Fox shared her story, Impact. She told how she stopped to help a stranded motorist, but that gesture unexpectedly took a turn for the worse, and she almost died. A young girl saved her life and changed her outlook forever, and now Fox is making her own impact on the lives of others.

“Her story was fascinating,” Allen said. “The room was silent as she told us what happened to her.”

(Fox’s story – I am FedEx | Heather Fox — can be seen on youtube.com or iamfedex.com.)