Tuesday evening marked the Greater Minden Chamber’s 78th Annual Awards Gala, an evening of food, entertainment, but most importantly to recognize a select few individuals, businesses, and organizations that go above and beyond serving the Minden community.
The night was emceed by Tracy Campbell and Jake Chapman, and when they weren’t running the show, the band Southern Roots was there to provide entertainment to the room full of guests. The meal for the evening was catered by Hugh Wood’s Catering and Specialty Meats and served by the Varsity Glenbrook Highschool Cheerleaders.
“This is an exciting journey we are about to head down, and I appreciate that all of you are here tonight supporting and investing in the Greater Minden Chamber. Without your support, tonight would not have happened. I am looking forward to working with every one of you in the years to come,” said Jana Morgan, President/CEO of the Greater Minden Chamber.
As the name would imply, many awards were presented at the Gala.
In the Business of the Year category, the finalists were, Gibsland Bank and Trust, TG Companies, and Fibrebond Corporation, who was the winner of this title.
In the Small Business of the Year category, the finalists were Fishy Stitches and Gifts, Mike’s Hometown Spirits, and Spillers’ Appliance and Furniture was the winner.
In the Business Person of the year category, the finalists were, Catherine Hunt (Lindsey Realty), (b1BANK), and Larry Gipson (Harris’ Corner) was chosen as the winner.
In the Community Partner category, the finalists are: Community First High School, Krewe de Ambassadeurs, and Louisiana Adult and Teen Challenge Center was the winner of this title.
Woman of the Year, presented by the Young Women’s Service Club was Minden High School Principal Becky Wilson and Man of the Year, Presented by the Minden Lions Club was Ty Pendergrass.
“To Woman of the Year and Man of the year, let me just say, you are more than deserving of your honor,” said Morgan.
During his speech, the Greater Minden Chamber Board Chairman David Specht gave his praise to the people who had worked in order to ensure this year’s Gala was spectacular.
“There was a Gala Committee that was already on the scene and doing some amazing things. And they’re like, we’re not going to be status quo, we’re not going to do things the way we’ve always been doing them. We’re going to raise the bar every year and we’re going to get it done. What you see around you tonight is what they accomplished.
My hats off to every one of them,” said Specht.
The Greater Minden Chamber would also like to thank their sponsors: Gibsland Bank and Trust-Presenting Sponsor, Citizens National Bank-VIP Reception Sponsor, Fibrebond Corp-Diamond Sponsor, Pafford EMS-Diamond Sponsor, Regional Hospice- Diamond Sponsor, b1BANK-Gold Sponsor, Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Minden-Gold Sponsor, Madden Contracting-Gold Sponsor, Meadowview Health and, Rehab-Gold Sponsor, Minden Medical Center-Gold Sponsor, Rose-Neath Funeral Home-Silver Sponsor, Town and Country Health and Rehab-Gold Sponsor, The Gardner Group-Gold Sponsor, Mike’s Hometown Spirits-Social Sponsor, Wimberly Agency Entertainment Sponsor, and Minden Family Dental-Awards Sponsor.