Everything Nac

The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Fourth Friday Luncheon is noon to 1 p.m., Aug. 23 in the Hotel Fredonia Banita Ballroom. Sen. Robert Nichols will present “The Big 3 – Education, Transportation, Water.” He will also summarize the 83rd Texas Legislative Session. The event is presented by TXU Energy.

“I am personally grateful for the hard work of our legislators in Austin, especially having had the chance to catch a small glimpse of it during Nacogdoches/SFA Days in Austin,” said Dr. Adam Peck, SFA Dean of Student and Fourth Friday Luncheon chairman. “I look forward to hearing their perspectives on what was accomplished during this legislative session.”

First elected to the Texas Senate in 2006, Nichols represents 19 counties including the greater part of East Texas. During his four sessions as a state senator, Nichols authored and passed legislation to protect landowners’ rights, increase educational opportunities in East Texas and reform transportation policies.

Luncheon reservations are required and a registration form is available in Forms at nacogdoches.org. A secure “register and pay online” option is available on the website in the Hot News section. Lunch is $16, and the deadline for reservations is Aug. 22.

All attendees will be entered in a $50 cash drawing, and every Chamber member is entered in a $250 drawing, but you must be present to win. Both drawings are sponsored by First Bank & Trust East Texas.

The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce 92nd Annual Meeting and Membership Banquet is Tuesday, Sept. 24, at HotelFredoniaConvention Center. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour. Dinner is served at 7 p.m. The Gary Justice Business Excellence Award recipients and Citizen of the Year will be recognized, and the 2013-14 chamber board of directors will be inducted at the event.

“This is a night for the chamber to express gratitude and appreciation for the support of our business community, our members and volunteers” said Angela Wiederhold, chair, chamber board of directors. “We take a look at the year behind us and look forward to the year before us, acknowledge the dedication and commitment of three local businesses and highlight the incredible spirit and ‘can do’ attitude of our citizen of the year. It really is one of the highlights of the year for our entire community!”

Members of the planning committee working with event chair Betty Shinn are Charlotte Ashcraft, Donna Finley, Keith Hand, Grace Handler, Jessica Henderson, Dr. Carolyn Mitchell, Samantha Moriera, Rayanne Schmid, Scarlett Sloane, Polly Etta Sunda and Angela Wiederhold. Event emcee is John Ruckel.

“I look forward to serving the chamber and Nacogdoches as the chairwoman for 2013-14,” said Rayanne Schmid, incoming chair. “The theme for the year, Champions for Success, reflects my goals for the next year – a chamber board focuses on the success of NacogdochesCounty. With the assistance of a spectacular chamber staff and a committed board, we can accomplish great things.”

Bronze sponsorships are available for $600 and include corporate recognition and seating for eight. Individual admission tickets are available for $40. Contact the chamber of commerce at 936-560-5533 for reservations. Seating is limited, and the reservation deadline is Sept. 19.

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Award recipients for 2013 are:

Mayor Roger Van Horn, Citizen of the Year sponsored by Tipton Ford, Inc.

Jack Backers College Bookstore, Small Business of the Year sponsored by Suddenlink Communications.

M & S Pharmacy, Medium Business of the Year sponsored by Regions Bank.

Drewery Construction, Large Business of the Year sponsored by R&K Distributors, Inc.