A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award was presented to Dr. John H. Keller, Jr., for more than 50 years practicing medicine in Fairfield. Active community volunteer Kevin Benedict, was honored Monday evening at the annual Fairfield chamber of commerce banquet as "Citizen of the Year."

The banquet is an opportunity to recognize Fairfield residents, businesses and civic organizations for their contributions to the community over the past year.

Site of the banquet was Fairfield elementary school.

"Civic Organization of the Year" is Fairfield Rotary Club, "Business of the Year" is Luminant Power which operates Big Brown electric generating plant and mine in Freestone county, "Chamber Ambassador of the Year" is Brownie Utley and "Junior Ambassador of the Year" is Jackie Nichols.

A pair of awards presented by Fairfield Independent School District go to "Teacher of the Year" Donna Housewright and "Youth Citizen of the Year" Virginia "Ginny" Johnson.

A special "Lifetime Achievement Award" was presented to Dr. John H. Keller, Jr., who has practiced medicine in Fairfield since 1955.

"CITIZEN OF THE YEAR" Kevin Benedict, right, receives his award from Fairfield chamber of commerce director Jason Hullum. In 2001, the doctor received a special "Humanitarian Award" from the chamber, recognizing his years of providing medical service to the community.

Outgoing chamber president Ray Green welcomed guests to the banquet, introduced special guests and directors, recognized outgoing directors and offered some brief remarks about chamber work during 2008.

Closing remarks were given by 2009 president Gail Farish.

Boy Scout Troop 668 presented the colors, Angelina Howerton sang the national anthem and Peace Justice Beth Gibson Ireland gave the invocation.

Benedict, 46, is selfemployed as owner of The Benedict Group but is recognized by the chamber for his community work.

The honoree is Fairfield Eagle Club president and is involved in organizing a number of school events, such as the Fairfield Invitational basketball tournament and fundraising events for the sports booster club, and volunteers as announcer at Eagles and Lady Eagles basketbal games and Eagles baseball games.

CIVIC ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR" Fairfield Rotary Club is represented by members, l-r, Gary Trammell, Steve Schauwecker, president Kevin Moller, Jason Hullum and Gene Chavers. He serves on the Freestone County Youth Leadership Board, is Freestone County Emergency Management Coordinator, chairman of the board of trustees at First United Methodist Church and serves on the board of Heart of Texas Economic Development District.

Benedict is a past chamber director and president, started the "Putt With a Purpose" golf tournament fundraiser of the chamber and organized opening ceremonies for the National Little Dribblers Tournament when it was played in Fairfield, as well as organizing Fourth of July activities for several years.

The honoree is a graduate of Fairfield high school and earned bachelor of business administration and master of business administration degrees at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Dr. Keller is a native of Centerville, was salutatorian of his high school senior class, attended Sam Houston State University for a year, served a hitch in the army, then earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry at SHSU and graduated Southwestern Medical School at Dallas in 1949.

"YOUTH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR" Ginny Johnson receives her award from Fairfield schools superintendent Tony Price. The recipient interned at Jeff Davis Hospital and the VA Hospital in Houston, practiced medicine for a year in Corsicana and moved to Fairfield in June 1955 to take over the medical practice of Dr. John Innis.

In 1958 he formed a partnership with Dr. Joe D. Crossno that lasted until the death of Dr. Crossno in 1999. Over the years the physicians built two clinics, one on the east side of the courthouse square and the second on W. Commerce Street where Dr. Keller still practices and now named ETMC First Physicians Clinic.

Dr. Keller has served as chief of staff at the hospital and as a member of Fairfield Hospital District board of directors, a post he currently holds.

"TEACHER OF THE YEAR" Donna Housewright receives her award from Fairfield schools superintendent Tony Price. In 1964, with partners Ben Capps, Jr., and O.B. Utley, Jr., the doctor built Fairview Manor, the first nursing home in Fairfield.

The doctor was honored in 1988 by the Academy of Family Physicians for 30 years of membership and in 1996 was named the Distinguished Alumni at SHSU for his work in keeping the Fairfield hospital open amid closings of many rural hospitals.

Dr. Keller and wife, the former Betsy Strange, are parents of two daughters, Susan Myers and Carolyn Newberry, both of Fairfield.

The family attends First United Methodist Church where the doctor has served as chairman of the church board and on the building committee, and for years operated the sound system every Sunday.

Fairfield Rotary Club was active in 2008, presenting four $1,000 college scholarships to high school senior students from proceeds raised at its annual talent show, donating $8,200 to groups, individuals and community projects, and providing leadership and manpower for projects.

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR" Mary Small receives her award from Fairfield chamber of commerce volunteer Brownie Utley. Accepting the award for the club was its president, Kevin Moller. The club has 54 active members, comprised of Fairfield business leaders.

Groups receiving donations from Rotary last year include Freestone County Relay for Life, Camp of the Rising Son, Teague Volunteer Fire Department in memory of Fire Chief Robert Knight, Hurricane Ike Relief Fund, Teague Rotary Club golf tournament and Fairfield Invitational basketball tournament.

Club members also provided Christmas gifts for 10 children at Pleasant Hills Children's Home and raised $600 for UNICEF.

Fairfield Rotary started the Interact Club at FHS to promote leadership skills, cleaned and trimmed bushes around the "Welcome to Fairfield" sign, sent members to Galveston to assist in hurricane relief efforts, and took second place with the club float in the Christmas parade.

The organization started working, but has not yet completed, a project to construct a building to house the Boy Scouts.

"JUNIOR AMBASSADORS" for Fairfield chamber of commerce are who received $500 scholarships are: l-r, Kaci DeFrance, Terrance Jacob Davis and Jackie Nichols. Miss Nichols also was named "Junior Ambassador of the Year." Luminant Power, formerly TXU, has been a presence in the Fairfield since 1971 as owner and operator of Big Brown Steam Electric Station and Big Brown Mine. The company is the largest single employer in the county.

For the past decade, Luminant has participated and contributed to Freestone County Relay for Life, with employees taking leadership roles in the fundraiser for American Cancer Society.

The company participates and sponsors chamber events and FISD student activities, sponsored four blood drives last year, provides support to civic and charitable organizations such as the county fair, 4- H, volunteer fire departments and Fairfield Emergency Medical Service.

Annually, Luminant conducts tours of its facilities for schools and industry groups, and launched its first Environmental Awareness Field Day for Freestone county fifth grade students last year.

"BUSINESS OF THE YEAR" Luminant Power, which operates the Big Brown power plant and mine, are represented by, l-r, Randy Johnson, Freeman Jarrell, Don Montgomery, Gary Trammell and Ray Green. As "Junior Ambassador of the Year," Miss Nichols, a FHS senior student, receives a $250 scholarship.

The daughter of Sherry Nichols and the late Jerry Nichols is ranked ninth in the Class of 2009 and is carrying a 4.65 grade point average. She plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to earn a degree in English.

Miss Nichols is a 4-year member of the Grand Band from Eagle Land, participates in University Interscholastic League academic competitions and is a member of Drama Club, Student Council, Beta Club, Science Club, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Entrepreneurship Club, Junior State of America, Speech Club and Spanish Club.

The youth ambassador also is involved as a Red Cross blood drive volunteer, blood donor, Relay for Life, Lions Club Eyewear Drive, Race for a Cure, Show of Wheels car show and chamber arts and crafts show, and is an active member of First Baptist Church.

In addition, Miss Nichols works part-time at the chamber office, baby-sits and tutors.

"Youth Citizen of the Year" Miss Johnson, 17, is ranked second in the FHS Class of 2009 with a 5.13 GPA and plans on attending Rice University to pursue a degree in ecology and evolutionary biology as prerequisites to earning admission to medical school.

The senior student is codrum major for the FHS band, senior class vice president, student council president, Beta Club vice president, Spanish Club officer and an All- American Scholar.

Over her high school career, she has held various class and club offices, been named as the outstanding student in world geography, pre-AP chemistry, AP English, U.S. history and health education.

Miss Johnson also competed in girls' athletics two years and in UIL cross examination debate, prose reading and at the state level in band solo and ensemble contest.

She has participated in community events that include Relay for Life, blood drives, chamber junior ambassador, canned food drive, Freestone County Fair parade, Miracle on Main Street and fall festival.

The student honoree is the daughter of Sheila Johnson and Randy Johnson, both of Fairfield.

"Teacher of the Year" Mrs. Housewright joined the FISD staff in 1986 after four years as a teacher-coach at Garland, and continued in that position here until earning certification as a dyslexia teacher in 1998, the first in the district.

For the past 10 years she has worked exclusively with students, parents and teachers to help support students who struggle from various learning difficulties due to visual reading perception problems associated with dyslexia.

The teacher attended Sam Houston State University at Huntsville on a basketball scholarship and was co-captain of the Division II state championship team in 1981. She graduated in 1982 with a degree and certification to teach physical education and English.

Also nominated for the teacher award, and named the outstanding teachers at their campuses, are Brian Merrick at FHS, Gina Robinson at Fairfield junior high school and Cindy Neal at the elementary school.

In addition to the annual awards, the chamber presented $500 scholarships to Miss Nichols, Kaci DeFrance and Terrance Jacob Davis.