A Night of Stars!
The Murphy Chamber of Commerce held their annual Awards Banquet on Friday, January 18th at the Hyatt Place in Garland. The record attendance included Texas State Representative Jodi Laubenberg and County Commissioner Cheryl Williams. James Fisher Murphy City Manager, Mayor Pro Tem John Daugherty and Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Colleen Halbert also attended.
The evening began with cocktails, a Social Fly photo booth where attendees could put on props and have complementary photos taken, and the display of more than $7000 of donated raffle prizes from area merchants that were grouped into themed baskets.
Dinner was served at 7 p.m. and the presentation of awards began at 7:30 p.m. with 2012 Chairman Zane Shepherd conducting the program. The following members were presented with plaques for their service to the Chamber in 2012.
- Ambassador of the Year - Gail Roden (Murphy Messenger)
- New Member of the Year - Sunny Street Café
- Volunteer of the Year - T. J. Ahmed (Jack in the Box)
- Most Colorful Character - Don Dennis (Don Dennis Massage)
- Member of the Year - Pam Arnell (All Around Girl)
- Chairman's Award - Marcia Jowers (Murphy Messenger)
Dr. Jim Moebius then presented the prestigious Business of the Year award to Allstate Insurance - Zane Shepherd.
The gavel then passed from Zane Shepherd (Allstate Insurance) 2012 Chairman to the incoming 2013 Chairman Jim Moebius D.V.M. (Murphy Road Animal Hospital). Dr. Moebius presented a plaque to the 2012 Chairman commemorating his past year of service.
The evening's festivities continued with casino gaming and a professional magic show by magician Kendal Kane. The prize for the "Oh Baby How You've Changed", a match the photo to name contest, was won by Don Dennis (Don Dennis Massage). Out of the 15 current Chamber Board of Officers' & Directors' photos, he correctly matched 10 to their respective names. He won an Amazon Kindle Fire.
