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It’s not easy to bring people together.  To bind them together is still more difficult.

It takes energy, and sometimes it takes a “new generation of business leadership.”  That’s the phrase used to describe Tyler Brewer at Thursday night’s Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Meeting and Banquet.  Brewer is the incoming, 2020 Chamber Board Chair.

The 2019 Chamber Board Chair, Nancy Wykle, described Brewer just that way.  Brewer followed by saying to a packed Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center crowd of 400 plus, “Let us all help each other grow.”  Economic growth, like will be discussed at the upcoming Economic Development Summit sponsored in part by the Chamber in February.  And the continued growth of downtown Henderson, Henderson at large and the County already started in 2019 as described by Wykle.

Wykle said, in 2019, the Chamber performed 17 ribbon cuttings, five business after hour events, four lunch and learn sessions, hosted and sponsored a hometown debate on healthcare that was broadcast statewide on Spectrum News, continued community outreach programs like with “Shop With A Cop” and put on a successful golf tournament plus adjusted its budget to achieve solvency.

For just the third time in the history of the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year Award, a couple was selected for the 2019 Citizen of the Year Award.  Tommy and Carolyn Farmer were introduced by 2018 Citizen of the Year Thomas C. Church.

The Farmers have been a binding force in the community too, at church, at school, at places all around where they volunteer.  As Mr. Church built the anticipation in the room as he worked up to naming Mr. and Mrs. Farmer, he described the “dynamic duo” with some of the words found on the nomination forms: “Genuine.  Dedicated.  Faithful.”  The Farmers were described as servants.  And Church said, “They have planted seeds and the fruits of their labor can be seen in their students.”

It even turns out that Brewer himself was a former soccer player under Mr. Farmer.  And the two socialized together at the end of the night.  A fitting end to an evening that started with a social hour of hor dourves, coffee and hot chocolate and live music.

The Farmers were selected because they saw the “value of helping children…and education…and they have done (their) work quietly and tirelessly.”  The United Way, the local Men’s Shelter, Civic clubs and duties, community service, tutoring and working with children and families, church leaders and volunteers.  The love of sport and soccer and athletics and even transporting other children, along with their own, to sports and church.  The Farmers have helped bring together and bind together their community.

A short video presentation showed an active, supportive membership which is engaged with it’s Chamber.  Sort of a “you should join the Chamber because” type video to affirm a mission and energize for the future.

And to go along with it, the Chamber Banquet was fun.  It worked.  Great food.  Music.  Time to socialize.  And geared for a

diverse group of ages, backgrounds and beliefs.  The banquet was timely and business-like.  It radiated an energy, if you will, that can bind its members and community.

Also named at the banquet was the 2019 Ambassador of the Year, Desiree Boyd Brooks.  She was recognized for being an ambassador for several years now, because she works with members to add value to their membership and because of her passion.  Hal Muetzel introduced Brooks as “well connected…a walking testimonial for the Chamber…and a busy mom.”

Shout Out to the Vance County High School Chorus!! Fantastic, awesome and great job and performance tonight at the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce banquet. Just as our Chamber binds businesses, citizens, volunteers and leaders together, your performance of “Pray for Peace” demonstrated to all the binds of prayer. Beautiful job chorus and soloists…”Pray for Peace…Pray for mother…father…children…Pray for leaders…Pray for forgiveness…Pray for brother…sister…me…Pray for wisdom…Pray for others…Pray for Peace!”