A Fun Start to the Christmas Season

By PJ Martin

Editor

The Herald-News

 

The Edmonton Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce has done it again. They kicked off the Christmas season with their annual Christmas Banquet. Not only was it an enjoyable event, it was also a popular one with over 200 people attending this year.

The entertainment this year was a change from the past years. Mr. Keith Ital performed for the crowd. He has an extraordinary voice and sang Christmas carols along with gospel songs. Ital is a singer, songwriter, guitar player, and a pastor.

The Achilles Award comes with no trophy or money, but instead it highlights people who are truly willing to help others. It is named after the Lagermann’s big, beautiful, white dog, Achilles, who has sadly passed away. The Lagermanns brought Achilles to almost every chamber event, and he was a much-loved attendee.

Executive Director Kim Harwood presented the 4^th quarter Achilles Award to Ann Devore-Birge. Ann is the owner and operator of Wall Works in Edmonton. What many do not know is that Ann helps with many chamber projects and other programs in Metcalfe County. She has also helped many families in times when they most needed it. Ann Devore Birge is very well deserving of the Achilles Award.

This year, instead of just drawing for the door prizes, which are donated by local businesses, the student representatives (past and future) hosted a Christmas-related question game. A door prize was chosen to give away and then a name was drawn. Then a question relating to Christmas was asked to the person drawn, if they answered correctly, they won the prize. If not, another name was drawn and the question was asked again. Some of those questions were hard!

It may be the beginning of a new tradition, as those in attendance seemed to enjoy the Christmas Trivia game, and everyone seemed to get a good laugh out of the process.

The outgoing officers, board of directors, and student representatives were thanked for their service and presented gifts by past president Torrie Osbon and current retiring president Daniel Bragg. The 2026 officers and board of directors were then announced.

The 2026 Chamber officers are Gina Gibson, president; Tareena Horton, vice president; Freeda Reece, secretary; and Martha Bragg, treasurer.

The 2026 Chamber Board of Directors are Melody Baker, Brad Dial, Teresa Hamlett, Dennis Dean Row, II, Autumn Shirley, Leslie Caffee, Caitlin Parke, Laura Glass, LaSasha Grissom, and Morgan DeWeese.

Diane’s Cakes and Catering served a delicious meal as usual, and the banquet was sponsored by T.J. Regional Health.