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Restoration 49's Haley and Dylan Daniel with Dustin Funderburk last year

Chamber awards night moved to May

By Michael Butler

The Tallassee Chamber of Commerce will have its annual awards night in May. The date will be determined later.

The event was originally scheduled for this month but changed to incorporate an auction which helps fund student scholarships.

"We're going to have an actual auction this year," Chamber director Jerry Cunningham said. "We're going to make it more of an event. Every bit of that money goes to student scholarships."

That also extends the deadline to nominate individuals for awards.

"We'll recognize the Business of the Year, the Frances Wagnon Volunteer of the Year Award and Lifetime Achievement winner," Cunningham said. "We'll recognize some other people who have made a difference in the community. We'll recognize the new board members and outgoing board members. And we always recognize our gold members - the ones that have been involved for a long time and kept the Chamber going."

Restoration 49 was named Business of the Year in 2022. L.D. Bell was last year's Frances Wagnon Volunteer of the Year. The Lifetime Award went to James Bush. Amanda Glasscock was given the President's Award. Making a Difference Awards went to Ivy Creek Health Care and Dr. Melvin Russell.

"Being in the position I'm in, you really see how vital small businesses are to the community," said Cunningham. "I see a lot of collaboration between the businesses."

The awards program will be held at Restoration 49. Once again, this will be a Facebook Live event with attendees being limited to board members, presenters and honorees.

Cunningham said he expects that next year's event will be open to public again as he anticipates a move back to the Ft. Dewey Piper National Guard Armory, which is undergoing renovations.

"I talked to Joel Walker," Cunningham added. "He anticipates it being completely finished, so we can use it next year."