Avinger Chamber rounds-up banquet celebration

By: J. Leslie Riseden

Hats, boots, hay bales and a chuck wagon. The Avinger Chamber of Commerce did it up western style for their annual banquet Feb 20 at Avinger School's McDaniel hall.

To open the festivities, emcee Mike Gilmore introduced Linda Shaddix, who performed a stirring rendition of the national anthem. Following an invocation delivered by Rev. Robert Terry of First Baptist Church of Avinger, chamber members, guests, and honorees made their way through a chuck wagon buffet line.

Ms. Shaddix entertained the crowd with a few more songs, followed by a performance of genuine cowboy-era tunes by Ken Lattimore of the Sons of the Pioneers. (This group, most widely associated with television/film/recording artist Roy Rogers, was formed in 1933. With obvious replacements through the years, they continue to perform today as one of the longest-lasting groups in recording history.)

The focus of the evening was the presentation of service awards. As chamber treasurer Wanda Bailey announced each honoree, president Elaine Moulton presented plaques for Firefighter of the Year to Tim Taylor (a volunteer firefighter chosen by his peers for this honor), and AISD Employee of the Year Reba Ball (Secretary to Avinger School superintendent Jackie Smith, and a 16-year employee of AISD.)

Jim Moulton received the 2016 Community Service Award for his untiring contributions to many Avinger activities such as Wildflower Trails Festival, Avinger Wine Festival, the Little Free Libraries project, and numerous calls to help erect or take down flags, banners and decorations. Avinger Pizza and Subs, which has supported the Chamber throughout the year by providing free meeting space and participating in Chamber events, was recognized as the Business of the Year.

This year, the Chamber presented two young women with Youth Service Awards: Aleshia Fort, a senior at Avinger High School, has been active in student council, National Honor Society, cheerleading, basketball and track. She has received many academic awards, including awards in history, algebra, and District UIL Literary Criticism. In her senior year, Miss Fort has been serving as a student assistant in Pre-K and Kindergarten. When asked, of all her extra-curricular activities, which she enjoyed the most, she replied "Helping with the children." On hand to celebrate Miss Fort's award were her mother, Feleshia Fort, grandmother Monica Head, and great-great-grandmother Bobbie Fort (herself a recipient of the Chamber's 2015 Teacher of the Year award.) Miss Fort plans to attend Texas A&M-Commerce in the fall.

Paige Hitt, also a senior at Avinger, takes pride in her active role in her family's home, where she performs a multitude of tasks related to farming, gardening and animal husbandry. "Oh, and I learned to drive a front-loader," Miss Hitt beamed. She is known to be a willing and capable volunteer in her community, including everything from aiding neighbors with home and grounds maintenance to serving firefighters during the Bear Creek fire. Miss Hitt is an accomplished artist, and won an award in the UIL One Act Play competition. Her parents, Amy and Russell Garrett, and sister Michele were present to share the event. When asked to name some of the people who have helped her succeed, Miss Hitt said "Amy and Russell Garrett, Ronnie Politi, Becky Phillips and Johnnie Terry." Miss Hitt also plans to become a Texas A&M Aggie in the fall.