CofC gives community awards

“CITIZEN OF THE YEAR” Bettye Trask, left, receives congratulations for her honor by Fairfield chamber of commerce president Gail Farrish. Service to the Fairfield community, and accomplishments, during 2009 were recognized last week at the annual chamber of commerce awards banquet.

The awards banquet was held Thursday evening at Fairfield VFW Post 5872.

In recognition of almost 30 years of community service, in elective and volunteer positions, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the family of the late Monte Cole.

A 3-term Fairfield mayor, Cole was serving as Fairfield Hospital District board chairman at the time of his death last month.

Over the years, he was president of the chamber of commerce, Fairfield Eagle Club and Fairfield Rotary Club, and was a member of the boards of directors for Fairfield Industrial Development Corporation and Freestone Central Appraisal District.

THE FAMILY OF LONGTIME civic leader Monte Cole accepts a “Lifetime Achievement” award presented at the chamber of commerce banquet. Pictured are: l-r, 2010 chamber president Mary Small, Janice Cole, Mark Cole and Karen Cole. In 1984, Cole was named “Citizen of the Year” by the chamber.

A Freestone county native, the honoree worked a number of years in the restaurant industry in the Dallas area before returning home to pursue varied business interests. During his career, he owned more than 75 restaurants and convenience stores.

Active in First Baptist Church of Fairfield since 1981, he was instrumental in the design and construction of the church’s Christian Life Center, was regional director of the Texas Baptist Men’s Group and participated in the Lay Renewal.

Citizen of the Year for her service to the community is Freestone County Relay for Life co-chairman Bettye Trask.

FAIRFIELD INDEPENDENT SCHOOL District presented “Teacher of the Year” and “Youth of the Year” at the chamber of commerce banquet. Pictured are: l-r, FISD superintendent Katie Ryan, high school nominee Renae Worley, elementary school nominee Melanie Bonner, district honoree Angie Ridge, junior high nominee Lisa Taylor, student honoree Lilly Duarte and FISD deputy superintendent Sheila Dove. Mrs. Trask is a Fairfield native who returned home after a 48-year absence. She was serving as an Assembly of God missionary in the Fiji Island when she and husband, Spain, retired.

In addition to work with Relay for Life, a fundraiser of American Cancer Society, the honoree is an active member of Fairfield History Club and headed up a Toys for Tots drive in Fairfield last year.

She cooked in the Fairfield Lions Club booth at the Freestone County Fair, although she is not a Lions member, is a Fairfield Library Association volunteer and hosted the library story hour on Thursdays.

FAIRFIELD LIONS CLUB received the “Civic Organization of the Year” award for 2009 service to the community. Pictured are: front l-r, Lions president Kevin Moller and club members Carol Moller, Michelle Clark and Rita Langsford; back l-r, club members Tommy Page, Glenda Evans, Brian Ingram and John Easterwood. The Trasks are members of First Assembly of God Church of Teague.

Fairfield Lions Club was selected as Civic Organization of the Year.

In 2009, the club donated more than $7,100 to various community efforts, including Relay for Life, Mexia Bass Club for its Kiddie Fish program, Texas Lions Camp, Lone Star Eye Bank, Freestone County Soccer Association, Pleasant Hills Children’s Home and the city park fund.

FAIRFIELD CHAMBER OF commerce director Gary Trammell congratulates Community National Bank and Trust officers for receiving the “Business of the Year” award. Pictured are: l-r, Trammell, CNB senior vice president Gene Chavers and assistant vice president Teresa Vandiver; back, l-r, 2009 chamber president Gail Farrish and CNB vice president Jason Hullum. The Lions Club sponsored a camper to Texas Lions Camp, bought an animal at the county fair and awarded three college scholarships to Fairfield high school graduating senior students.

In addition, the club sponsored a Lone Star Barbecue Society Cook-Off in conjunction with a fundraiser, collected and recycled aluminum cans, operated food booths or concession stands as the county fair, Fairfield History Club concert and opening day of soccer season, sponsored a visit by Santa Claus to Dew and Fairfield elementary schools, sponsored a Peace Poster contest and Lions Efforts Against Drugs essay contest for students, and recycled more than 500 pair of eyeglasses.

Business of the Year is Community National Bank and Trust, which has served Freestone county for more than 100 years.

CNB was chartered in 1907 as First State Bank of Streetman, converted to First National Bank in 1923 and moved to the old Red and White Grocery location in downtown Fairfield as First National Bank in 1973.

The bank built a new building in 2007, at 101 N. Mount Street, that conforms to the architectural theme of other downtown buildings.

In 2008, the bank merged with Corsicana National Bank and Trust and changed its name.

Last year, CNB contributed over $24,000 to various Fairfield and Freestone county organizations, annually provides $14,000 in college scholarships to Fairfield graduating seniors and is a platinum sponsor of the chamber.

Bank officers and employees are involved in many organizations that support the community.

Fairfield Independent School District presented awards to the “Youth Citizen of the Year” and “Educator of the Year.”

Senior student Lilly Duarte received the “Youth of the Year” award for her accomplishments in the classroom and in athletics.

Miss Duarte is the 2009 Homecoming Queen, qualified for the state Class AAA cross country meet and is a region track qualifier.

She is ranked first, academically, in her class and is expected to be the FHS valedictorian this spring.

Last year she was presented the “Spirit of FHS” award for a selfless act at the region track meet. When another runner fell during a race, Miss Duarte stopped to help her to her feet, which cost the FHS senior a trip to state.

“Educator of the Year” Angie Ridge has compiled a 19-year career in education, the past eight in Fairfield.

Mrs. Ridge is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in social work, master of education degree and principal certification.

Other nominees for the award are “Teachers of the Year” on separate FISD campuses, Melanie Bonner at the elementary school, Lisa Taylor at junior high and Renae Worley at the senior high.