Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the past year, honored community members and set plans and a new board of directors in place during the 2015-2016 Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. The event was held Tues., March 29, at Hartselle High School. Approximately 150 chamber members, friends and guests were in attendance at the program, enjoyed a meal catered by The Freight House and were entertained by guest speaker WHNT news anchor and Hartselle native son, Greg Screws.

The welcome was given by outgoing chairman Rob Payne of Edward Jones, as the program began at 6:30 p.m. Rev. Mike Gunter of Somerville Church of God gave the invocation and all enjoyed the meal and fellowship.

After the meal, the recognition and awards portion of the event was kicked off by the recognition of the Miss Depot Days 2015 by chamber president Danielle Gibson. Jenny Stephenson, outgoing Ambassador Chair presented the Ambassador of the Year Award to Israel Gomez, with R.J. Young. He was unable to attend and the award was accepted on his behalf by Kelsey Brewer.

Gibson also presented awards of thanks to outgoing chamber directors, Les McCollum, individual member Nancy Busby Solberg, Coldwell Banker, and Larry Murphree, owner of Award Graphics. These folks have served three years on the chamber board and were thanked for their dedication and service.

Bob Sittason presented the Dr. Thomas M. Guyton Humanitarian Award to Randy Garrison, publisher of the Hartselle Enqurier. This award is given in recognition to a person in the community who seeks to improve the lives of others and gives and  without asking for anything in return, and is involved in their community, family, church and work. Garrison was noted for promoting Hartselle and the virtues that contribute to the quality of life enjoyed in Hartselle.

Morgan County Commissioner Don Stisher presented the John J. Sparkman Citizenship Award to County Commission Chairman, Ray Long. This award is given in recognition of the person who goes beyond the call of duty and has dedicated time and effort for the Hartselle and Morgan County area. Long was noted for being involved with all that goes on in Morgan County and is always available to help. He is a member of the Somerville Civitan Club, as well as active in service clubs in Morgan County. When he is called on to make a difference he turns up with a group to help with in kind services.

Nancy Busby Solberg presented the E.R. Roberts Business Award to Aramark Services of Decatur. This award is given in recognition of Roberts who was a longtime businessman in downtown Hartselle from 1921 until 1990. He built his reputation on honesty and fair treatment of his customers along with strong civic pride and support. Armark was noted for being a supporter of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce and other non-profit organizations for many years.

Solberg also presented the Tommy Ed Roberts Civic Award to Mark Moody, owner and broker of  MarMac Real Estate. This award is given in memory of Roberts who was a state representative and state senator for many years and served as the president of the Morgan County Economic Development Association. He was known for his dedication and love for his hometown and his state. Moody was noted for opening a location in Hartselle after several years of operating in Decatur. His company also operates a thrift store known as MarMac Charities where the agents of MarMac volunteer. Proceeds from the thrift store are donated to different charities and non-profit organizations.

After the awards were presented outgoing chairman Payne talked about the past year with Susan Hines, long time president leaving and working to find her replacement. He felt the executive committee and current board made a good decision in the hiring of Gibson as the replacement for Hines. He then turned over the ceremonial gavel to incoming president Dan Copeland. Copeland, along with his wife Susan own and operate Copeland’s Classic Cleaners in Hartselle. He is a Hartselle High graduate and entered the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation. He and Susan have four children and live in the Oak Ridge community.

Copeland says he looks forward to working with the new board of directors and all of the community to continue to grow Hartselle and make it an even better place.

Guest speaker Greg Screws, presented entertainment for the evening. Screws graduated from Morgan County High in 1977 and attended The University of Alabama. His parents were educators, with the late Truman Screws serving as a teacher, principal and superintendent of education for Morgan County Schools. His mother, Jean Screws, was a physical education teacher at Hartselle Junior High School, and still lives in Hartselle.

Screws currently is a news anchor for WHNT TV 19 in Huntsville, where he has been for many years. He is well known for his “deal or dud’ segments on the news program. He spends time both in Hartselle and in Huntsville. He spoke of his recent health scare and how it brings things into reality. He also spoke fondly of his memories of Morgan County High, now Hartselle High and mentioned former teachers Dr. Franklin Penn and William Booth.

He also mentioned life in Hartselle and how it is nice to have people in your hometown call you by name.

The current staff of the chamber include Gibson as president and Kathy Nelson as administrative assistant. The 2016-2017 board of directors will include Copeland as chairman; Arthur Peck as secretary/treasurer, Peck Funeral Home/Peck-Glasgow Insurance Agency; Payne of Edward Jones as immediate past chair; Dena Nagel, Journeys by Design; Dr. Franklin Penn, individual; Randy Garrison, Hartselle Enquirer; Dr. Olivia Maze, Gilchrist Pharmacy; Dr. Chris Widner, Widner Family Dentistry; Janan Downs, Zoey’s Downtown; Dr. Chuck Gill, Morgan Animal Hospital; Kathy Summerford, It’s Your Day; and Scott Stadhagen, Hagen Homes, LLC.