Awards banquet draws over 300
Graham, Mowdy, Alcoa, Rotary Club get awards from Chamber

By MIKE BROWN
Reporter Editor

 Homer Mowdy, Joy Graham, the Rockdale Rotary Club and Alcoa’s Rockdale Operations won the top awards as the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce banquet drew a crowd of more than 300 to Rockdale Junior-High School Thursday.
 The format was again “streamlined,” based on the success of the 2007 banquet. There was no speaker and brief entertainment was by local musicians and singers who performed numbers tailored to award recipients.
 Master of ceremonies Charlie McGregor presented awards, assisted by Denice Doss, Chamber president.

Top citizens
 “The Citizen of the Year is a hard-working man who is willing to help in every way” McGregor said as he introduced Mowdy’s award.
 “From the Rockdale Country Club to Rockdale Rotary Club to the Chamber Ambassadors, helping with the Thrift Shop and Food Pantry, you name it and he is always there to help,” McGregor said.
 Graham was given the Outstanding Citizen award for longtime service to Rockdale.
 “She has worked hard through the years to put Milam County on the map,” McGregor said. “She has served on the Brazos Trail board and Milam County Historical Commission, receiving the prestigious John Ben Sheppard award, has worked diligently in the renovation of the Milam County Courthouse. She works tirelessly in promoting Rockdale.”

Business, organization
 Business of the Year was presented for the second year.
 “Cowboy poet” (actually local businessman Griffin Rogers) noted how different Rockdale was before Alcoa made the decision to locate near town in 1951.
 “Think about all the jobs Alcoa has provided over the years and is still providing,” Rogers said.
 McGregor praised the Rockdale Rotary club’s record of community service.
 “The Organization of the Year works hard throughout the year to support Rockdale in various ways, through scholarships, donations to activities and organizations in town and this year took on Wolf Park (Main and Milam) as their project. A pavilion is being constructed in the park.”

United Way
 Rev. Jack Chelf, South Milam County United Way president, announced the annual UW awards as follows:
 • Continuous Support, State Farm Insurance.
 • Outstanding Support, Wal-Mart SuperCenter.
 • W. H. Cooke Award (outstanding support by a business or individual), Jay Brown.

More awards
 Wanda Waggoner received the award for Chamber Ambassador of the Year and outgoing chair Rebecca King also received an award.
 Speeches by King and current chairman Bob Wilson were printed in the banquet program.
 Wilson said there were 265 Chamber members at the end of 2007. He also praised the Chamber Ambassadors and said the financial position of the organization is strong. “We are well aware of the responsibility we have to our membership in spending our funds wisely and in a way that will enhance our town and our economy.”
 King said accomplishments of the past year included paying off the Chamber’s 110 acres.
 Michelle Lehmkuhl is chairman-elect and Cody Caldwell is treasurer.
 Other Chamber directors are Becky Booker Marek, Deedra Jacobs, Debra Jackson, Joyce Ford, Cindy Jerman, Lin Perry, Ward Roddam, Griffin Rogers and Jeff Zapata.
 Kristi Moreland is an associate director representing the Rockdale ISD.
 Retiring directors are Rev. Chelf and Kathy Cooke Martin.

Ambassadors
 Ford is chairperson of the Chamber Ambassadors with Joyce Dalley as vice-chairman. Wanda Waggoner in charge of communications.
 Other members are Betty Backhaus, Alma Faye Bell, Sharon Cobb, Marcia Conde, Joyce Dalley, Anna Duncum, Wanda Galbreath.
 Margaret Havel, Cecil and Marilyn Hicks, Homer and Alice Mowdy, Eugenia Newton, Gerry Offield, Jeanette Patschke, Helen Perry.
 Jerry and Wanda Waggoner, Charlie and Patricia Watson, Marie Williams, Melissa Tolar and Margo Gilless.
Entertainment
 Shelly Stautz, Chamber executive assistant, was recognized for her work during the past year.
 Doss listed winners of the silent auction which was held in conjunction with the banquet. Sixty-three businesses and organizations provided either auction items or door prizes.
 McGregor welcomed elected officials and other dignitaries. Appreciation was expressed to the Rockdale High School Student Council and National Honor Society, and Project Graduation for assistance with the banquet.
 Entertainers were Doris Phillips (accompanied by Joann Bradford), Lynn Martin and Mike Herod of Broken Chains, Becky Phillips (accompanied by Rev. Rick Hertless), Griffin Rogers, Ronnie Caywood and Rev. John Warren (accompanied by Rev. Rick Hertless).
 Rev. Chelf gave the invocation and benediction.

mike@rockdalereporter.com