Christina Munoz speaking on “Making Memories”, who co-authored the book by that name celebrating the life of KATV Channel 7 anchor Anne Pressly, is featured speaker for the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Tickets are on sale now for the 37th Annual Winter Banquet at Pulaski Technical College South. Silent Auction is at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:45 p.m.
“We are excited to have Christina to talk about Anne. Anne certainly lived in a larger than life way,” said Allison Ramsey, co-chairperson for the event.[more]
“Bryant…the Top 100 Way of Life” will be this year’s theme in celebration of Bryant’s being named a top 100 small town in America by CNN Money Magazine in July. “Anne’s way of living a “top” way of life just seemed to fit with our theme,” Ramsey noted.Guy and Patti Cannady, Anne’s parents will also attend the event.
The book Making Memories: The Celebration of the Life of Anne Pressly was co-authored by KATV News Director Randy Dixon with Munoz. All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Anne Pressly Scholarship Foundation. The book will be available for sale at the event.
Included in the book are reflections on Anne from her mother, Patti, which reveal insight into Anne’s life as a child. In addition, former Governor Mike Huckabee offers an emotional foreward to the book, in which he talks about the loss of Anne’s life and the way the entire state was affected by her death.
Jack Carney of First Security Bank will emcee the event. Vocal talent from Geyer Springs Baptist Church will be presented during dinner. The tentative menu is Chicken with Crème Sherry Sauce, Green Beans Almondine, Wild Rice, Salad, Rolls, and Dessert. The Pulaski Technical College Culinary School will prepare the food.
The Winter Banquet will feature a silent auction, too. Area business people who want visibility for their products or services donate items for bidding. Donors do not have to be Chamber members. Some donors are not business people, just people in the community who have something to give to help the Chamber out. “We have had donations in past years of jewelry, loose precious and semi-precious stones, furniture, Razorback items, haircut certificates…. It ranges from stuff you would use everyday to stuff you want to do for yourself or someone else but won’t unless you get a good deal and it is for a good cause,” said Beth Smith, subcommittee chairperson for the silent auction. Silent auction successful bidders must pay for and take home their items that evening.
The Chamber’s outgoing president will give a brief report and present awards. The 2010 president will be introduced and the new board members named.
This event draws the most Chamber members together in the year. Winter Banquet tickets are $25 per person for a table of ten. Tickets reserved individually will be $27.50 each. Tickets have to be reserved in advance and will not be sold the day of the event. Call the Chamber at 847-4702 to reserve. Nice business or “smart” dress is the usual attire.
Attendees are asked to enter at the Main Entrance (east side) of the building. Classes will be in session and this allows less disruption of the campus’ normal activities.
