Groves Chamber celebrates longtime service
Published 12:18 am Wednesday, January 29, 2020
- Don Sodman, 2019 Groves Chamber of Commerce president, holds up a plaque he received Tuesday in honor of his Chamber service. (Mary Meaux/The News)
GROVES — A changing of the guard highlighted much of the talk at Tuesday morning’s Groves Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast.
Mayor Brad Bailey opened by saying his 20th year in office would be his last, noting he and the community were lucky to have been served that whole time by Fire Chief Dale Jackson, who is in his last weeks of office.
2019 Chamber President Don Sodman highlighted a year of accomplishments by saying he was, at first, worried about taking on the position 12 months ago.
“Previous presidents were the Hall of Fame of people in Groves,” Sodman said. “But you soon realize they cleared the path and made it easier for people coming after.”
Beverly Herford, who previously served a Groves Chamber of Commerce president, is once again taking on the responsibility for 2020. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Sodman recognized the Chamber’s renewed mother of the year program, which spotlighted Bevin Frakes, and the two business that tied for small business of the year — George Geisel of Groves Domino’s and Scott and Tina Legendre of Groves Café and Coffee Bar.
Sodman encouraged future Chamber leaders and attendees to continue a recently launched effort to provide bikes to children in need at Christmas.
Incoming Chamber President Beverly Herford helped close the breakfast by giving thanks for community support through trying times and stressing her commitment to the Chamber, which she dubbed the heart of the community.
2020 officers include Herford, Rob Vensel, Pansey Lamson, Loyd Patterson and Sodman.
