Chamber of Commerce hosts Gala & Awards Saturday
Roaring 20s-Gatsby theme
BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan
The Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Gala & Awards this Saturday, March 21 at the Rita Blanca Coliseum. The theme for this year’s gala is the Roaring 20s-Gatsby (the novel “The Great Gatsby”), and the chamber will present several awards during the evening.
The awards that will be presented include Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Early Impact of the Year, Treasured Business of the Year, and Agricultural Person/ Family of the Year.
Last year’s winners included Gabe Marquez, owner of Gabe’s Heating and Air, who received the Early Impact of the Year Award. Gabe, a Dalhart native, started his business here in 2022 and now employs three local people.
The Volunteer of the Year last year was Karen Lang. She is a two-time Dalhart Elks Sweetheart, current Elks District Sweetheart, It’s All About Kids president, Strike Out Cancer founding member, Rotary Club member and song leader at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.
A to Z Home Center was named the Treasured Business of the Year last year. First opened in 1967 as Diamond J Electric by John and Diana Jurajda, the family business has evolved through the years and generations to become the popular home repair store that it is today, run by Kalen and Lauren Jurajda and their sons Rhylan, Lyndon and Benson.
The traditional agricultural award was tweaked a bit last year. Instead of going to an Ag Person or Family, as it has since its 1985 inception, the award was renamed for Agriculture Influence of the Year and presented to Hilmar Cheese Company. Since opening its Dalhart plant in 2007, Hilmar has played a key role in the area’s economic system, employing about 530 local individuals in cheese and whey production.
The entertainment this year will be Dueling Pianos. There will also be the annual auction. Tickets are $65 per person, or $100 per couple. Businesses can also purchase either a “Business Table” that includes eight tickets and the business name on banquet décor, or a “Corporate Table” that also includes eight tickets and a couple of extra perks.
The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Cocktails will be served first before the dinner and awards and entertainment. Photos from the banquet, along with details about this year’s award winners, lists of previous winners, and more will be published in a special section of the Dalhart Texan next month.
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