HIGHLAND — The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards and recognition banquet will be held Jan. 22 at the Highland Elks Lodge community room.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with the program and meal beginning at 6:30.
An inclement weather date has been set for Jan. 29.
Tickets are $ 20 and can be purchased from any board member or from the chamber office. Table sponsorships are available for $200 (eight seats, plus signage and recognition at event.)
To purchase and reserve, call (870) 856-3210 or email sracc@centurytel.net.
The theme is Casino Night and fun games will be available to play from 5 until the program starts.
In addition to announcing the 2018 Members of the Year and E. Wilson Green awards, officials will be announcing a Future Leaders Award to one of four outstanding nominees (age 18 and under who has actively worked to create a better community.
Nominees include Devon Engles, Breanna Hoffman, Mallory Long and Sydney Wilcockson.
Guest speaker will be Julianne Dunn, instructor of economic development at the University of Arkansas and one of the partners in developing the “Create Bridges” innovative initiative recently launched in Oklahoma, Kentucky and Arkansas, including the tri-county area of Sharp, Izard and Fulton counties, through a $2.7 million grant from Walmart to build up rural economies.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Lacy, 34, spent most of her life in the hills of Lawrence County. Today, she lives in Cave City, the home of “World’s Sweetest Watermelons,” in what’s known as the Prince Matlock house. Its former owner helped create what’s known as the Cave Courts where the city’s cave lies above the Crystal River. He fashioned his home out of the same rocks and materials that are found among the cave’s property, and she feels blessed to now be its caretaker for many more years to come.