Fairfield’s finest gathered Thursday evening for the annual Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Banquet for ‘A Night of Stars and Stripes.’
Held at the Tri-County Golf Club at the Vineyards, the event began at 5:30 p.m. with a Cocktail Hour, followed by the banquet at 6:30 p.m.
Music was provided by Curt & Hannah.
Chamber Chair Eli Pratt welcomed guests, Chamber Director Mary Small led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem sung by Sophia Schulze, and Mayor Bobby Nichols gave the invocation before the awards were presented.
Serving as Emcee for the event was Chamber Director Kim Bishop.
The dinner menu, catered by Sal Pjetrovic, included Petit Filet, Potato Au Gratin, Roasted French Green Beans, Salad, Garlic Rolls, Southern Style Banana Pudding, and Homemade Apple Pie.
The decorations were sparkling, and the cake auction brought in $7,800.00 for 12 beautiful cakes!
Chamber Awards
–Ambassador of the Year: Jessica Corley-Rieves, presented by Chamber Director Mika Scott.
–Community Spirit: Fairfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (at top), presented by Chamber Secretary Gail Farish.
–Small Business of the Year: Tri-County Golf Club at the Vineyards, presented by Chamber Secretary Gail Farish.
–City of Fairfield Employee of the Year: Brenda Pate, presented by Mayor Bobby Nichols.
–Citizen of the Year: Lisa Baggerly, presented by Chamber Director Mary Small.
–Civic Organization of the Year: Fairfield History Club, presented by Chamber Director Mary Small.
–Business of the Year: Calpine Corporation, Freestone, presented by Chamber Chair Eli Pratt.
–Lifetime Achievement Award: Coach Joey Worley, presented by Chamber Treasurer Robert McAdams.
–Legacy Award: Reggie & Monica Davis (Good Neighbor Cleaners), presented by Chamber Vice Chair Kayse Turner.
–Best Dressed Costumes: Chandler Baggerly and Tyra & Antonio Emanuel & kids.
–Appreciation Award: Chamber Chair Eli Pratt, presented by Chamber Vice Chair Kayse Turner.
Fairfield ISD Awards
Awards presented by FISD Superintendent Joe Craig.
(left-right):
–Fairfield Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Donna Shaw
–Fairfield Intermediate School Teacher of the Year: Shannon Block
–Fairfield Junior High School Teacher of the Year: Nanceen Hoskins
–Fairfield High School Teacher of the Year: Stacy Bachtel
–Fairfield High School Student of the Year: Mason Edwards
Cake Auction
–Stars of the Night Delight (dark chocolate cake with cherry filling): donated and baked by Megan Hempel. Sold for $300.
–Fireworks, Freedom & Frosting (Strawberry Italian Cream Cake): donated by Fairfield History Club, baked by Desserts by MommaCakes. Sold for $600.
–Sweet Land of Liberty (chocolate kahlua cake with strawberry cream cheese icing): donated by Blue Sky Window Cleaning, made by Charlotte Brantner. Sold for $500.
–Statue of Sweetness (traditional vanilla cake): donated and baked by B&B Sweets. Sold for $350.
–Freedom in Every Bite (red & blue velvet cake with cream cheese icing): donated by Creations Flowers & Gifts, baked by Charlotte Brantner. Sold for $900.
–The Great Amieri-Cake (Italian cream cake): donated by Armadillo Emporium, baked by Something Different Restaurant. Sold for $500.
–Uncle Sam’s Turtle Indulgence (two-tier turtle cheesecake): donated by Bostic Services, baked by Desserts by MommaCakes. Sold for $1,500.
–American Dream Cream Cake (Italian cream cake): donated by Freestone County Go Texan, baked by Something Different Restaurant. Sold for $500.
–Hometown Hero Favorite (your choice of cake or pie): donated by Brend Pate, baked by Something Different Restaurant. Sold for $700.
–Gracious Glory Pound Cake (Mom’s secret recipe pound cake): donated and baked by Karen Leidy. Sold for $650.
–Home and Liberty Red Velvet (red velvet cake): donated by Juls by Jul, baked by Something Different Restaurant. Sold for $600.
–One Nation, Sweetly United (traditional vanilla cake): donated by Taylor German Team, baked by B&B Sweets. Sold for $700.
Also recognized for their service at the banquet for all their years of participation and support of the Chamber were the late Bettye Trask and Dana Tate. Their contributions and spirit will be remembered with gratitude.
Closing remarks were given by Chamber Vice Chair Kayse Turner and Chair Eli Pratt, where ‘Thanks’ were given to all attendees and recognition was given to the Chamber 2025 Board of Directors (above): Eli Pratt, Kayse Turner, Robert McAdams, Gail Farish, Mika Scott, Kim Bishop, and Mary Small; Chamber Ambassadors for 2025: Cindy Bolen, Diane Pullin, Emily Goodson, Erin Tacker, Lisa Nichols, Mindi Wammack, Natalia Marsters, Jason Pate, Jason Wathall, Jessica Corley-Rieves, Julie & Bill Freeman, Pastor Mike McVey, Patty Pratt, Shelby Griffin, Sandra McAdams, and Tyra & Antonio Manuel.
Also recognized were this year’s banquet sponsors: (Platinum) Community National Bank & Trust, Freestone Medical Center, Calpine Corporation, Jason Miller-CPA, and GADCO; (Gold) Texas Towing, Winstead Climate Control, WSR Insurance Services, AXC Dump Truck Services, and Tejas Urgent Care; (Silver) Rollo Insurance, First United Methodist Church of Fairfield, TA, and Teel Team-Lakeside Dreams; (Bronze) Adrenaline Fitness, OneOk, Fairfield Plumbing, The Retreat at Lake Noire, McSwane Real Estate, and Leap of Faith.
Nichole Schaefer reporting. (Photos by Natalia V. Marsters)
