By Miranda Elliott

Times-Democrat staff

Murray County community leaders, business owners and citizens were out in full force Thursday, January 26 for the annual Sulphur and Davis Chambers of Commerce banquet and awards ceremony.

Don Brown took home the esteemed De Lannom Citizen of the Year Award for his proactive and unselfish commitment to the city. From plowing roads in inclement weather to digging graves, presenters spoke of Brown's generosity during times of hardship and his desire to maintain and grow the city's economy by shopping locally and encouraging others to do the same.

Recipient of the Helen Webber Citizen of the Year was Davis' John Slater. Slater is an active participant in the Angel Tree Program and is an avid supporter of the Davis School District. In order to provide a warm and inviting welcome to Davis tourists and visitors Slater worked tirelessly on a new sign at the city entrance, exhibiting the dedicated volunteerism qualities exemplified by the award's namesake, Helen Webber.

Other community members nominated for Citizen of the Year awards included, Darin Farrell, Amanda Kloski, Joni Rackley, Fred Fink and Janet Carter of Sulphur, and Glenna Raper, and Ben and Jeri Williams of Davis.

Special guest Rep. Wes Hilliard presented Joni Rackley with the Leadership Murray County award. Other nominees included Leadership Murray County alumni Michele Tingle, Jeff Jennings and Dorena White.

Winner of Murray County's Small Business of the Year award was the Rusty Nail Winery, a tasting room, gift shop, bistro and event venue located in downtown Sulphur's historic district.

Also in the running for Small Business of the Year were Premier Catering, The Davis News, the Sulphur Times-Democrat and Larry's Pharmacy.

Established in 1978, with only two employees and one backhoe, winner of the Large Business of the Year award was C.D. Brown Construction. An important fixture in Murray County, C.D. Brown now boasts over 70 employees and an impressive fleet of equipment.

Other nominees for Large Business of the Year were Wood Flowline, Gonzales Machine, Las Cascades, Davis Public Schools and Gordon White Lumber.

Themed "Snow Place Like Murray County," the atmosphere for the joint-Chamber banquet was festive and inviting. The Murray County Expo Center was transformed into a sparkling blue and silver winter wonderland. Adding to the ambiance was a projection slideshow consisting of various winter photos submitted by area citizens.

Dinner, prepared by Robin Sullivan, local teacher and proprietor of Robin's Cookies, Cakes, and Catering, featured sliced pork, chicken and rice and an array of salads, veggies, pastas and desserts.

Stacy Conely, Sulphur resident and owner of Aria Bella Day Spa, opened up the evening's entertainment with a soulful rendition of "At Last," introducing the song with a dedication, "I'd like to dedicate this to the late Etta James and Murray County-my new home."

Shannon Caldwell, of Chickasaw Telephone, performed "I Am Blessed" and then followed up with a cover of Martina McBride's "When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues," joking "I've proved to ya'll that I'm a God-fearing woman-now I'm gonna warn you not to mess with me."

The night's third singer was new mom, and Davis teacher, Coree Foster. Foster sang the 1963 pop classic "One Fine Day" and a toe-tapping, hand-clapping version of "My Girl."

Among the crowd of nearly 300 attendees were Sulphur City Manager Bill Holley, Chickasaw National Recreation Area Superintendent Bruce Noble, Davis City Manager Roger Pulley and Murray County Commissioners Billy Frank Lance, Darrell Hudson and Jim Britt.

After the final award was presented, attendees were plunged into total darkness as a surprise flash mob, choreographed by Kathy McKay, stole the show. Over 10 community members, organized by Dustyn Russell of Community Bank of the Arbuckles, busted a move to the 1990 Billboard chart topper "Ice Ice Baby." The flash mob's performance can be seen at www.youtube.com/user/sulphuroklahoma.

Outgoing Chamber of Commerce presidents Vickie Thompson of Davis and Michele Tingle of Sulphur closed the ceremonies with the official "passing the gavel" to incoming officers Michael Summers and Kenny Howard.

"I truly believe that there is "Snow Place Like Murray County"-it's like the TV series "Cheers," where everybody knows your name," said Thompson in her closing address.

In her remarks Tingle spoke of community pride, "I really do care what happens to our county." She went on to express the importance of attracting new businesses and visitors, requesting that citizens "support each other by cleaning up the city."

Executive Director of the Sulphur Chamber of Commerce, Shelly Sawatzky was very pleased with the banquet's success, "It's so nice to get a chance to celebrate the positive contributions that individuals and local businesses are making in our community. That's really what it's all about."