editorial3@thomastontimes.com

Motors were running in the Civic Center on Thursday night at the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce 62nd Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet.

“Setting the Pace for 2009” was the Chamber theme for the event setting the stage (literally) at the Civic Center as it was transformed in to a race track and pit stop with all the trimmings.

The race car drivers, pit crew, and even beauty queens (Chamber members) highlighted the evening’s entertainment - arriving to the stage as participants in just about every type race one might imagine.

Some members raced in to the Center on bicycles through the very large local group of seated guests. Other members of the show rolled to the stage in wheelchairs. Then came the egg race, three-legged race, and the potato sack race, all headed to the stage to begin the evening’s award show.

Sarah Armstrong, Kenny Coggins, Jaye Eubanks, and Hoppy Hopkins entertained the packed room as the Hosts for the evening.

Fast talkin’, witty fun ensued as the awards were given out and Thomaston’s top civic-minded citizens were honored for their dedication, hard work and positive addition to the community.

The Wellness Center of URMC received the “Chamber Champ” Award (as they have for the past two years).

“The Wellness Center of URMC provides the Chamber of Commerce with gift baskets that are delivered by the “A.M. Ambassadors” to 12 different Chamber members each month,” announced the presenters of the award, Shane Phillips (Century 21) and Travis Weed (United Bank).

American Pie Pizzeria won the “Small Business of the Year Award”.

American Pie Pizzeria of Thomaston, owned and operated by Dirac Barbee, has been in business for just about two years, and in that time, has become a hot spot for locals.

“From donating pizzas for the press box on Friday nights, to supporting local charity events, American Pie is an outstanding supporter of our local school system as well as community,” said presenters April Pruitt and Debbie Gignilliat.

The “Here’s Looking at You” Award was given to the new McDonalds. been in Thomaston since 1977.

Presenting the award, last year’s winner Doug Head (Bank of Upson) and Hoppy Hopkins of URMC, said,

“The father-daughter team, George Sizemore and Starla Riddick, have introduced new and exciting addition coming in December, “McCafe” will feature a coffee bar serving lattes, frappes, smoothies and more. With the renovation of McDonalds including a tandem drive-thru to serve our community quicker and an indoor playground.”

The “Outstanding Community Service” Award was given to the Thomaston Kiwanis. 2009 Chamber Chair-Elect Kris Thomas (Quad Graphics) and last year’s award recipient Keith Johnson (Mountain View) presented the award to Doyle Allen, Kiwanis President.

“The motto of Kiwanis International is ‘Serving the Children of the World’, but when it comes to service, Kiwanis helps all ages, and assists in a huge number of projects over a broad spectrum. The local Thomaston Kiwanis consistently endeavors to join with other civic groups for the benefit of the community. Thomaston Kiwanis qualified to be a “Civic Champion” for Georgia’s First Lady, Mary Perdue’s, “Our Children Campaign” for supporting Georgia’s abused and neglected children.

“Locally, Thomaston Kiwanis sponsor the Key Club at Upson-Lee High School, the Builder’s Club at Upson-Lee Middle School and joined forces with the Gilmore Center to begin the Aktion Club, a community-service group for adult citizens who live with a disability. They also hold a community “Pancake Day” to raise funds for various projects; are a supporter of the House of Care and the Empty Stocking Fund. Thomaston Kiwanis sponsors the Star-Student-Teacher Program; grants a yearly scholarship a Gordon College and is a sponsor of the Science Fair for the Upson-Lee Schools. Members also participate in the Upson Lee School system VIP reader program.

New Business of the Year was awarded to The Potting Shed, owned and operated by Marc and Jeff Ellington.

Presenters Debra Daniel (Bank of Upson) and Steve Cromer (Flint Tech) had this to say, “Sixty years ago this year, Grandfather Milton Ellington opened the Texaco Service Station on the corner beside Bostwicks Furniture store. It would stay there for 20 years before it made its move to the current Potting Shed location on the corner of Lee and Church Street. Milton “Sonny” Ellington, Marc and Jeff’s father, took over the Exxon Service Station running it with Marc, who started in 1989, until it closed at the end of 2007. Jeff, the young entrepreneur, started Ellington Lawn Care in the early 1990's and when the time for change came, the business of choice seemed natural.

“In January 2008, The Potting Shed opened its doors as a new kind of service station, providing a variety of landscape and gardening needs, shrubbery and trees, as well as planters, seeds, and lawn accessories, etc. Marc and Jeff have gone above and beyond with community groups like Main street, decorating stages for the events like the Takota Ellington Fundraiser and Taste of Thomaston, and supporting the Sertoma Club’s Rob Bennett Classic.”

CEO of Upson EMC John Brodnax was honored as the “Executive of the Year”.

Award presenters 2009 Kiwanis Treasurer Bob Fletcher (Pasley-Fletcher Funeral) and 2008 Chamber Chairman Scott Swafford (United Bank) said, “John began his career with Upson EMC in 1973 and just celebrated 35 years of loyal service not only to the company, but also to the many members of the EMC who have come to know and appreciate him.

“In August 1995, John became the General Manager/CEO of Upson EMC. Today, John works with 25 employees and staff along with seven board members.

“Locally, John served nine years (1996-2005) on board of Flint River Technical College serving in the capacity of Vice Chairman from July 1999-June 2001. He served on the Business Advisory Committee at Flint River Tech serving as Chairman from 1992-1995. He is a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hightower Memorial Library and has served on the Board of United Way of Upson County. He served as First Vice President and President of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce. He is active in the Kiwanis Club. He is also presently serving on the Thomaston-Upson Industrial Authority.”

Julius Edward (Ed) Bell was honored as the “Lifetime Achievement Winner”.

Glenn Matthews (Matthews Insurance) offered the salute to Bell, “Originally from Fort Valley and Moultrie, Ed Bell has lived in Thomaston for 50 years.

“At the age of 12 Bell became active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and remained active through many years of service with Troop 19 at the First Baptist Church. In November of 1950, Bell volunteered to serve through the Navy for the Korean War. He started working for General Motors in Doraville and attended Georgia State University where he receiveda BBA Degree in Management. Bell and his wife, Pat Leonard, were married in April 1956 at the Chapel of the Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church on Peachtree in Atlanta.

“After hearing about and interviewing for an opening at the State Farm Agency in Thomaston, Bell was officially appointed a State Farm agent in August of 1958. Ed and Pat have been very active in the community through the Lion’s Club, Empty Stocking, Masons, PTA and Garden Club. Since 1958, the Bells have attended the First Baptist Church, with Bell serving as a deacon and most impressively as a Sunday School teacher for the 15 year old boys class for 33 years.

“Bell served on the Thomaston City School Board for seven years, the last as Chairman. In addition, currently there are two scholarships available to graduates of Upson-Lee or Pike County in the Bell Family name and one scholarship through TUAC.

“In 1996, Bell made his first venture into politics when he ran for Thomaston City Council and was elected to serve a four year term that began in January 1997 and has run to the present. Bell has his city salary go to the support of projects like the Silvertown Front Porch and landscaping for downtown.

“Bell proudly heads the “Make Thomaston Shine” campaign every April and has played an active a role in the Political Campaigns of Johnny Caldwell, Mac Collins, Saxby Chambliss and Lynn Westmoreland, making certain our community is represented well.

“Over the years, Bell has served in various capacities with many community groups from the PTA, where he served as president, President of the Lion’s Club, worked to develop the Peach Bowl in Thomaston, Chair of the Empty Stocking Fund, years as a Chamber Director and Main Street Board member, and six years on the Thomaston Upson Arts Council (one of which he was President).”

Congratulations to all!