70th Annual Cameron Chamber Banquet Draws Record Turnout

(CAMERON)  Awards highlighted the 70^th annual Cameron Chamber of Commerce Banquet held Tuesday night and attended by more than 350 people.  Cameron native Drayton McLane Jr.(pictured right), Chairman and CEO of the Houston Astros, was the guest speaker, and was awarded the highest honor of Lifetime Service Award by the Chamber.  Outgoing chamber President Margie Barkemeyer.  (Audio) 

McLane delivered an encouraging message to the Cameron business community.  (Audio)  Drayton McLane Jr., speaking at Tuesday's Chamber banquet.

Patsy Gaines received the Chamber’s Outstanding Volunteer Award.  CREAT or Cameron Rural Economic Access Team, was named Organization of the Year.  Outstanding Chamber Member award went to Ken Harriss while the Cameron Herald was named Business of the Year. 

Retiring Chamber Director Earline Cloudt was recognized for her service to the community.  (Audio)  Mrs. Cloudt was also recognized with a bag of "Astro" goodies from McLane.

State Representative of District 20, Dan Gattis (pictured right), presented a House Resolution honoring the Chamber for its 70 years of service to Cameron.

Also recognized last night were retiring chamber directors Ken Harriss, Ed Magre and Melanie Shuffield.  Sarah Kostroun was introduced as the new 2004 Chamber President.  Other officers include 1^st Vice President Maurice Goza, 2^nd Vice President John Youngblood, Past President Margie Barkemeyer, and directors Sam Berry, Jason Dohnalik, Jeannine Dohnalik, John Egger, Gary Fuchs, Carolyn Hux, Janet Sheguit, Donald Shuffield and Julie Sulak.