Honoring an Aggie
■ Randy Torres was honored in a Aggie and Razorback themed event Thursday night.
It was a night of friendly trashtalk and Aggie jokes on Thursday, as Randy Torres was the subject of a roast and toast for the 2017 Outstanding Civil Leadership Event.
The event, the 10th annual iteration, was held in the Cyprus Barn Thursday night.
Guests gathered at 6 p.m. to mingle and talk outside before a meal catered by Rib Crib was made available. Participants at the chamber fundraiser went through the buffet line and settled in for what promised to be a night of laughs and college rivalry.
The cardinal-and-maroon decorations around the room and the stories told by the hosts reflected the theme of the event — University of Arkansas vs. Texas A&M. Torres is a well-known Aggie fan, having graduated from Texas A&M, where his daughter is currently enrolled. On top of that, the Aggies and Razorbacks are slated to face off in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday.
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Wayne Mays opened the night of celebration with comments on the recent
closure of a plant that employed 238 area residents. Area businesses have reached out to the chamber to extend opportunities to the newly-unemployed workforce, Mays said.
“We live in a unique community where 238 people can lose their jobs, and less than 24 hours later businesses step up to help them,” Mays said.
Mays then gave way on the stage for the night’s master of ceremonies, Donny Torres, Randy’s brother. State Rep. Robin Lundstrum took the stage to give a presentation to Torres in appreciation of his service, and Siloam Springs Mayor John Mark Turner read a proclamation, adding a “Woo Pig” to the end of his statement. Chamber board chairman Don Austin gave the last award of the night, as he presented the Outstanding Civic Leadership Award.
With that, the roasts and toasts opened, as Lundstrum went back on stage to recount the travels and trials of a stuffed Aggie doll, named “Randy the little Aggie.” Lundstrum showed pictures of the stuffed Aggie football doll with state government figures including senators, representatives and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Next up was Roger Holroyd, who formerly employed Torres. Holroyd told stories of Torres’ time at Arvest, including the trash talk the pair shared in anticipation of Arkansas vs. A&M games. Holroyd gave Torres an Arkansas seat cushion so he could sit on his rival college.
Tim McCord took to the stage to tell a few Aggie jokes and stories from Torres’ college days. Shirley Dilbeck, last year’s chamber board chair, presented a gift bag to Torres, each part of which corresponded to one of Torres’ habits. Most of the items were Razor back themed, with the exception of a Donald Trump chia pet.
James Barnett was the last speaker to walk on stage. Barnett talked about how Torres had moved to Siloam Springs and how the two had gotten to become friends.
In addition to the speakers at the event, three videos were shown of some of Torres’ close friends who were not able to be at the event. Scott and Janelle Sloan and the Feeny family each had videos shown from Colorado and Ireland, respectively. To cap the event off, a video was shown from Torres’ daughter, Allison, from A&M. Allison’s name had not appeared on the event’s program; a space was marked for a “special guest.”
Torres then got a chance to speak for himself and fire back at the Arkansas fans.
“Guys, if you’re worried about the barbecue running out, there’s going to be pork on Saturday,” Torres joked, referencing the weekend’s football game. “Thank you, and Gig ’em!”