Gibbens, Maldonado honored at Sargent Chamber Banquet

SARGENT - The Sargent Chamber of Commerce held their seventh annual “Celebrating Sargent” banquet Friday, Aug. 20. It was good to be back with friends and neighbors for the celebration as the 2020 event was cancelled due to covid concerns.

Jan Osborn served as emcee this year and, after the welcome, offered a prayer before the delicious pork loin meal prepared by the Chamber banquet committee and served by the Sargent FBLA.

A highlight of the evening was the viewing of the video made in February, 2020 for the HGTV show “Home Town Takeover” contest. For those who don’t watch HGTV, Ben and Erin Napier host a show called “Home Town,” where they fix up homes in their hometown of Laurel, Miss. They wanted to help another community so they asked for submissions. The winner was selected from no less than half a million photo and video submissions representing more that 2,600 towns across the US.

Della Pulley, April Kitt and Jan Osborn had

jumped into action and with the help of several others, put together a wonderful video story of Sargent. Sadly, we didn’t win, as the community of Wetumpka, Ala. was selected. But, if you get the chance, watch the several part series of how this town was blessed by HGTV. And we now have a great video of some of the best parts of Sargent to enjoy for years to come.

Following the video, it was time for the awards section of the evening. Businesses were acknowledged for their years in business in Sargent.

Those celebrating anniversaries (in five-year increments including last year).

Sargent Corner Market - 1991, 30 years.

First National Bank-Sargent - 1985, 36 years.

Sargent Packing - 1980, 41 years.

Trotter’s Grain and Fertilizer - 1975, 46 years.

Sargent Leader - 1890, 131 years.

Congratulations to all these businesses and Thank you for your commitment to Sargent.

After longevity recognition, it was time to award dedicated individuals and innovative businesses with annual awards.

Citizen of the Year: Sarah Gibbens. Others nominated were Mary Mason, April Kitt, Lori Cox, Jan Osborn, Louie Ropers, Paula Bennett and Jackie Ropers.

Business of the Year: Sargent Corner Market. Others nominated were Louie’s Body Shop, Govier Brothers Mortuary and all Chamber businesses.

Excellence in Customer Service: Missy Maldonado, employee of Trotter’s Whoa & Go. Others nominated were Craig Vancura, Jackie Ropers, Sargent Corner Market, April Abbott and Unruh Auto Sales.

Rising Star: Roberts

Chiropractic, owner Marie Roberts. This award is for a Chamber business that has been established in the past five years or has gone through a transition of ownership or a new venture. Other nominated were SWAT (Sargent Womens Action Team), The Rescue Bar and Grill and Ollie’s Coffee Shop and Boutique.

The evening was closed with card games for those wishing to stick around.

Sargent would not be what it is today without the hard work and dedication of our citizens, business community and volunteer organizations.

Lori Cox At left, Sarah Gibbens, left, was voted Citizen of the Year at the Seventh Annual Sargent Chamber Banquet. This very deserving citizen was described as “a caring, patient person that spends a lot of her own time helping others in Sargent. She brings prescriptions over for so many in the community to save trips.” Gibbens is pictured with Jackie Ropers.

Lori Cox At right, Jackie Ropers, left, presents Missy Maldonado a plaque of recognition at the Sargent Chamber banquet in August. Maldonado, an employee of Trotter’s Whoa & Go, was voted Best in Excellence in Customer Service. A comment on the nomination form stated, “She puts up with all the riff-raff, including card players, farmers and the rest of the customers with a smile and great service.”