Richard Glaser named Citizen of the Year at Bonham Chamber Banquet

It was an evening of celebration, an early Valentines Dinner and an evening to recognize community leaders for the past year at the Bonham Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet & Ball Saturday night.

Boy Scout Troop #260 presented the colors and led the crown in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moving rendition of the national anthem by Patti Hicks.

Following opening remarks by Bonham Chamber Executive Director Bill Jones, the crowd was treated to a delicious hand-carved prime rib or chicken dinner catered by Cappy's Restaurant.

Sandra Lowrance, co-owner of Cappy's Restaurant, prepares to serve guests at the Bonham Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Ball. The beautiful flower arrancement was from Lane's Flowers.

2009 was another busy year for the Chamber, featuring another memorable Christmas Parade, the regionally-popular Autumn in Bonham Bike Rally & BBQ Cook-Off, Halloween on the Square, Fannin County Day in Austin and much, much more.

While there were challenges along the way, Mr. Jones described 2009 as "a pretty good year."

Bonham Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Jones

David Conejos was recognized as a retiring member of the Bonham Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Mandra Caplinger was honored for serving as the Chamber 2009 chairman.

2010 Chamber chairman Jack Bonds, who also came back to entertain the audience with several songs, spoke of remarkable community assets, such as the Creative Arts Center.

2010 Chamber chairman Jack Bonds and 2009 Chamber chairman Mandra Caplinger

"It's nice that a town this size has a facility like the Creative Arts Center that you would, quite frankly, only expect to find in a much larger city," Mr. Bonds said. "We are the Chamber and we work for you. We'd love to hear from you. We'd like your input."

It was then time to begin the drum roll for the Chamber's most prestigious annual awards.

Kelly Presley took the podium to introduce the 2009 Volunteer of the Year.

"It was so hard," Ms. Presley remarked, "that we couldn't pick only one. Both of these people volunteered over 100 hours to make Bonham a better place to live, work and play."

The 2009 Co-Volunteers of the Year are Jason Castle and Dane Leggett.

Kelly Presley (center) introduces Co-Volunteers of the Year Jason Castle (left) and Dane Leggett

2008 Public Service Person of the Year Craig Nichols took the stage to name the one person in the public service sector that stood out among his or her peers in the past year.

Mr. Nichols announced that the 2009 Public Service Person of the Year is District Judge Lauri Blake.

Public Service Person of the Year, District Judge Lauri Blake

Jeremy Morton, store manager of Brookshire's, the recipient of the 2008 Business of the Year, came forward to name the outstanding business in the community during the past year.

"This business has made great strides, Mr. Morton told the audience as he announced that the 2009 Business of the Year is Red River Regional Hospital.

***mage6:center***

David Conejo, Chief Operating Officer at Red River Regional Hospital, took a moment to reflect on a few words he remembered from the late Dugan Curtis, one of the Chambers past honorees as Citizen of the Year in 2003.

"Winning that award was a profound moment in my life," Mr. Curtis had confided to Mr. Conejo after the award in 2003. "If you ever win an award like this, you'll know what I mean."

"Dugan," Conejo said as he raised the award, "Semper Fi."

The final award of the evening went to the person who distinguished themselves through dedication and devotion to the community over the past year.

"This award puts you in a very unique group," Jones said of Citizen of the Year honors.

In 1985, the year this award was first handed out, the recipient was the late Dr. Tom Scott. Another past winner that brought Fannin County recognition from across the state and even as far away as the nation's capitol was the late H.G. Dulaney.

Since 2008 Citizen of the Year Beth Robertson was unable to attend due to a family wedding, 2007 Citizen of the Year John Burnett came forward to read a prepared statement from Mr. Robertson.

"This year's recipient of Citizen of the Year has been involved in many and varied activities in our area," Ms. Robertson noted. Several local chambers of commerce have benefited from his service, including Leonard, Bonham and Honey Grove. He has devoted much time to service organizations such as Bonham Kiwanis Club and Bonham Rotary Club. His interests have not just been commercial ones; he has given time to charitable and social organizations. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Fannin County Children's Center, the Fannin County Family Crisis Center, the Fannin County Bail Bond Board and the Multi-Purpose Complex Board. His employees claim he's the greatest boss ever! It is my pleasure to give you the 2009 Citizen of the Year, and a dear friend of mine -- Richard E. Glaser, Fannin County Criminal District Attorney."

Red River Regional Hospital Chief Operating Officer David Conejos hold the 2009 Business of the Year Award.

"I'm humbled by this award," Mr. Glaser stated. "My mother always told me that if you help others, you will get your reward someday. But, Mom, this feels pretty good."