This award was really a surprise for me. Usually just one of us goes to the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet and this year it was Jim's turn, and I would stay at home with James. Besides I had already bought a ticket to go to a dinner/play that Sat. night by myself. So when he asked me to go with him, I gave him several reasons why I didn't want to go. He kept asking me to please go with him, and so I said ok, and I'd get my cousin JoAnn and her husband to come stay with James. Jim knew about the award but didn't want to tell me.
We had been to a luncheon that day and had a big meal and were there about 2 hours. I was tired when I got home. I really didn't want to go to the Chamber dinner that night. But I got dressed and went along, even wearing high heel shoes and a formal dress (thanks to my sister Alice for giving me this dress a couple of years ago).
We arrived at the banquet at the appointed time, 7 P.M., and found some friends to sit with. We looked over the room and saw that most of the people there were much younger that we are. The Chamber is made up of working people not yet retired. It was refreshing to be in a young crowd for a change. Two businesses were honored; one for their 60th anniversary and another for their 50th anniversary. Then a couple of other business awards were presented, and then the Chamber Director asked me to please come to the podium for an award. I had no idea they were going to do this. I was presented the "Spirit of Elba" award which they don't present every year. They recalled some of the things I do for the city to make it a better place to live, etc.
I was very proud of this honor. Especially because it was given to me by a group of people that I know very well. Of course I didn't compete for this honor but was honored for doing things I enjoy doing and trying to improve our community. It was truly a memorable experience. And I'm so glad Jim convinced me to go with him.
