Chamber Honors Members at Banquet

The Sallisaw Lumber Co. was named the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year at the chamber’s annual banquet Saturday. Accepting the award are, from the left, Dan Ollie, Georgia Hetherington, and Jarret Hetherington, company owners. Chamber President Shannon Vann, right, presented the award.

Sallisaw Mayor Julie Ferguson, right, received the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award from Cheryl Mills, left. Mills is the incoming chamber president for 2017.

Gary Schaefer was awarded the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Chuck Sainer Community Spirit Award. Cheryl Mills presented the award.

Ron Lockhart was named the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Festival Volunteer for his help with the chamber’s Diamond Daze festival. Holly Bormann, chamber board member,

presented the award.

Shannon Vann, outgoing president of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, received a special award for his service – a university of Arkansas Razorbacks plaque. The award was presented by Judy Martens, the chamber’s executive director.

Sallisaw Lumber Co. was named the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year at the chamber’s annual recognition banquet held Saturday evening at the Sallisaw Middle School.

Accepting the award were owners Dan Ollie, Georgia Hetherington and Jarret Hetherington.

Jarret Hetherington, son of late owner Jerry Hetherington, said, “It has been a trying year for our family. But this is a bright spot for the year.”

Other awards were presented to Ron Lockhart for Outstanding Festival Volunteer, Gary Schaefer who received the Chuck Saner Community Spirit Award, and Julie Ferguson who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

It was announced that the musical entertainment for Diamond Daze will be Craig Morgan and Phil Vassar.

Morgan will perform on June 2. His top songs include “Almost Home,” “Bonfire,” “Wake Up Loving you,” “Tough” and “Redneck Yacht Club.”

Vassar will perform on stage June 3. His top hits include “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “That’s When I Love You,” “In a Real Love,” “Carlene” and “Last Day of My Life.”

Diamond Daze is held on the campus at Sallisaw High School. For more information contact the chamber at 918-774-2558.

Former State Rep. Mike Mass was the humorous guest speaker at the banquet, and was introduced by former State Rep. Bud Smithson. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mass received a standing ovation.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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