Saturday, March 28, 1998

Reporter-News salutes

No small businessman

The Abilene Business Council's Small Business Person of the Year award shouldn't be misinterpreted to signify anything small about the local business man or woman so honored. It's meant to recognize a business owner who has built his own business, survived hard times but excelled in his industry and, in the process, served his community. Freddie Beal, this year's recipient, certainly matches that description. Beal and his wife, Sylvia, opened Beal Appliance on Butternut Street in 1971. Today, with two locations, it's the largest General Electric appliance dealer between Fort Worth and El Paso and sports a customer base that extends from Possum Kingdom Lake to Brownwood and from Snyder to San Angelo. Small, perhaps, but not shabby. Congratulations to a worthy recipient.

Snyder's best

Several Snyder residents were honored for their service to the community by the Snyder Chamber of Commerce. Phil Ragland, the "Voice of the Snyder Tigers," received the Paul Sizemore Award for volunteer service through the chamber's "Gold Coats." Martha Scheabel, a longtime Snyder teacher and volunteer nurse, won the Vestal Award for humanitarianism. Keith Collier, who served as Scurry County sheriff for 32 years, was presented the Winston Award for agriculture. Don Burt, of Redneck Pipe & Supply, won the McLaughlin Award for leadership in the oil industry. Sixth-grade teacher Cathy Clabour was named the Outstanding Classroom Teacher. Wagon Wheel Dude Ranch, owned by Billy Ray and Pam Browning, was chosen Business of the Year. And Tammy Miller Valentine received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for service to the chamber. The evening was given extra sparkle by the presence of Texas first lady Laura Bush as guest speaker.

In Knox City

The Knox City Chamber of Commerce named Judy Perdue as the 1998 winner of the E. Hob Smith Memorial Award, which is presented each year to Knox City's most appreciated citizen. President of the 13-county North Central Texas Girl Scout Council, Perdue has been involved in many leadership roles in the community, such as serving on the county Child Welfare Board, heading the Knox City Economic Development Committee and being chamber president for three terms. The wife of Knox County Judge David Perdue, Judy was named a Texas Woman of Distinction in 1997. Congratulations to her singular achievement.

Santa Anna honors

The Santa Anna Chamber of Commerce named 78-year-old retired postal employee and farmer M.L. Guthrie Jr. the Citizen of the Year for 1998. Except for his World War II military service, Guthrie has lived in Santa Anna all his life and has devoted himself to his town in a wide variety of ways. He has served on the City Council, the chamber board, the school board. Chamber President Jackie Smith called Guthrie simply, Mr. Santa Anna. It's an apt title.