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Top Uvaldeans named at annual banquet
Posted: Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 - 09:22:58 am CST
by Margaret Palermo-Staff writer
 | | Uvaldean of the Year Kay Brieden |
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Kay Brieden was named Uvaldean of the Year during Tuesday's 88th-annual Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce banquet at the Willie de Leon Civic Center.
Brieden, who was unable to attend the event due to illness, was introduced by Jan Elliott who described her as tireless, kind and keeps the Adult Activity Center going.
The award was accepted by Brieden's daughters Blair Dorris and Bess Finley, husband Les Brieden and parents Hubert and Betty Felts.
We are happy to be here â€- very happy to know so many people love our mother as much as we do, said Dorris and Finley. Mother was born and raised here; she is a true Uvaldean. She has been involved in all aspects of our town from church to schools and business – and most recently, adult activities.
The vocal groups the Memories and Friends performed a song to the tune of Ain't She Sweet, which was tailored especially for Brieden.
The Uvaldean of the Year Awards honors a person who lives and works in Uvalde County and who has contributed to helping make Uvalde the special community it is.
Longtime Uvalde volunteer firefighter Richard Williams introduced Gene Ayala as Volunteer of the Year during the banquet.
This guy is one of the guys who doesn't know the word can't and doesn't know the word no, said Williams in making the presentation.
The Volunteer of the Year award goes to an individual who has volunteered his or her time and effort to the community during the past year.
Ayala wears many volunteer hats in Uvalde, including serving as fire chief for Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department and as a board member for the Bass Club, Uvalde Hospice and for El Progreso Memorial Library. He also volunteers as an emergency medical technician with Uvalde EMS.
He also serves on the Girl Scouts' Burns Camp fund-raising committee and has been an active parent volunteer with the Scouts since his daughter joined the organization.
Ayala was named Fireman of the Year at the fire department's banquet Jan. 12, but was not there to receive the award because he and fellow firefighters were busy battling a 3,500-acre blaze near La Pryor.
Ayala is the owner of Quality Print Solutions.
Wendy Speer, chamber executive director, presented a special award to Assistant City Manager Joe Cardenas. Joe Cardenas has served as city liaison for the chamber for many, many years, she said. With all the success and all the events, the city is right behind me. Joe is the one who keeps that going.
Olga Charles was called upon to present the Chili Pepper of the Year and Roadrunner of the Year awards to Sylvia Lent and Charles Lemon respectively.
Jim Colvin, who also served as master of ceremonies, announced the winners of the People's Choice Awards.
Uvalde Meat Market and Processing received the award for Best Customer Service, retail category.
Julio's BBQ & Grill won in the Best Customer Service Business, hospitality category.
In the Best Customer Service Business, service category, honors went to East Side Shell.
Lori Tackett of Oasis Outback was recognized for Best Customer Service Individual in the retail category.
Rosemary Flores of Amber Sky Coffee Shop was honored for Best Customer Service Individual in the hospitality category.
In the Best Customer Service Individual service category, Kelley Smith of The Eye Center of Uvalde took the honors.
Incoming president Jo-Anna Kruse recognized outgoing chamber board members and introduced new board members.
I'm playing the part of Julie Balboa, she said, referring to the outgoing chamber board president. She is not with us tonight to recognize outgoing board members. Julie will now be assistant vice president of South Texas for Security Service (Federal Credit Union). Unfortunately, that takes her away from Uvalde.
Outgoing board members include Balboa, Kendall White of Golden Triangle Outfitters, Joe Tom Haby of Joe Tom's Catering & Pat Haby Real Estate, Deanna Harrison of Harrison Body and Radiator Shop, Sarah Hensarling of Garner Abstract and Land Company and Bill Nelson of Live Oaks Bed and Breakfast.
Those who will continue on the board include Tom Austin of the city of Uvalde, Pedro Bermea of Hondo National Bank, Jeff Curtis of Curtis Chiropractic, Howard Hoermann of Forum Theaters, Dudley Ilse of Dudley's Ranch House Furniture, Mark Morgan of South Texas Urgent Care Center and Jay Wright of Frontier Adjusters.
Kruse said new board members include Kelly Smith of Eye Center of Uvalde, Lori Tackett of Oasis Outback, Tony Arce of AEP, Ben Elliott of Uvalde National Bank, Wade Carpenter of Southwest Texas Junior College and Katie Graves of Katie's Amber Sky.
As your incoming president of the chamber, I just want to thank you for all coming, said Kruse. I'm so excited about this coming year and all we have planned. Every member in this room brings something unique to the chamber. I'm looking forward to working with all of you to see what we can accomplish in 2008.
In other awards, Garner Abstract and Land Company won first place in the table decorating contest and Dudley's Ranch House Furniture and RKW Irrigation and Landscaping won second.
The presentation of colors was performed by the Uvalde High School NJROTC and the national anthem was sung by the Uvalde High School Show Choir.
Tony Gruben, pastor of Baptist Temple Church, delivered the invocation.
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