Chamber banquet celebrates ‘Grand Ol Greenbrier’

GREENBRIER — More than 350 Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce members and their guests dined with candlelight and flowers in a natural green and brown setting for their “Grand Ol Greenbrier” annual banquet.  

The southern style buffet dinner at the Greenbrier Junior High Cafetorium was catered by Marketplace Grill from Conway, followed by Starbucks coffee. Students from Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the Food Services Department of GHS helped serve this elegant affair.

Instead of the usual stuffy speeches, Board President Jon Patrom gave a short welcome, followed by a thank you to special businesses who donated and helped with this lavish affair. Amie Regester, Executive Director, said, “If we work where we live and live where we work, we must mix the commercial businesses with residents for all to share and be successful. Our power is in voices heard, involvement and dollars in the community.”

Special awards were given to Travis Weaver, owner of Diamond Ice for the Best New Business. Ryan Edwards, owner of Daylight Donuts, was voted Best Small Business. First Service Bank won the vote for Best Bigger Business. Linda Dickey accepted the honor for Roses Among Thorns for Best Non-profit Business of the Year. By far, the most unique award presented was for the Green Business category, presented to Wooster Elementary School by chamber board member Christopher Rister. 

“We actually wanted something that was repurposed, so the GHS Agriculture students, under the direction of Mr. Breeding, designed the unusual trophy,” Rister said. “It was definitely a conversation piece to raise awareness for those businesses making an effort to practice sustainability.

Student of The Year award went to honor student Calley Livingston from GHS. Volunteer of the Year was given to Lady Love Hines. All Chamber members were asked to cast their votes from a wide range of nominated candidates earlier this year. 

At the beginning of the party, guests inspected many silent auction items to bid on. Bidding was lively on a wide array of things like a spring garden gift basket, autographed Jermain Taylor boxing gloves, a “ladies night out” package including a limo ride, a Dendrite necklace from Faye’s Diamond Mine, and even a cruise — all donated by local businesses.

The evening wrapped with an appreciation concert in a special performance by popular Nashville trio, Eden’s Edge.  Originally based out of Arkansas, Hannah Blaylock, Cherrill Green and Dean Berner followed the music to Nashville in 2007 and are known for “today’s country with wings and roots.”  This was a homecoming of sorts for the trio because they originally attended the University of Central Arkansas early in their band’s formation. They are currently enjoying success on tour and are even scheduled to open for Randy Travis soon. They asked the guests to pick a favorite one of their tunes so they can include it on their new album being cut this month. Each guest who chose a tune would be able to down-load it for free.

Mayor Melton Cotton and wife, Anna, with many of the Greenbrier City Council members, the Greenbrier Police Chief, Gene Earnhart and wife, Wanda, and Scott Spainhour, Greenbrier School Superintendent, were among the many business owners and dignitaries sited at the event. Regester said, “We are so glad to be part of a community that continues to support our small business owners.  This celebration was a way to thank all of our members and volunteers for making a significant difference and contribution, not only to the Chamber, but throughout our community.”