By By Kerry Whipple-Bean
The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce held its 63rd annual banquet Thursday night hosting its largest crowd to date.
At the event, the Chamber recognized past and present officers and honored Tray Smith with the Citizen of the Year Award and Emilie Mims with the Lifetime Achievement award.
Chamber Executive Director Sheryl Vickery agreed that the event was a success.
The banquet was catered by What’s Cookin’ and entertainment was provided by The Troupe of the Greater Escambia Council for the Arts.
The Troupe had members perform songs and pieces from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and ended with the song “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music.”
Vickery too thought the performers were “wonderful.”
Johnson is the artistic director for GECA and has been with the organization since its inception. Before performing the song “Edelweiss” he told the crowd that it was a poignant song for the group and him especially because it was one of the first performed by GECA members in their inaugural performance.
Allen Walston, the 2008 Chamber president, spoke of the Chamber’s achievements in the past year and its successful corporate partnership with First National Bank and Trust.
He also recognized the hard work put forth by Chamber Executive Director Sheryl Vickery and Chamber secretary Shelly Williams.
Walston also acknowledged the continuing efforts of the Chamber.
Newly instated Chamber president Cindy Lee assured people that despite the lagging economy the Chamber would continue to work to provide the best economic environment possible.
Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chairman Buford Rolin then addressed the crowd about the Tribe’s 2009 corporate partnership with the Chamber.
Vickery and Lee both expressed their gratitude to the many people who helped in preparation for the banquet, especially Tammy Graham and the YMCA staff, board members and Cathy Coley who provided arrangements.