Chamber Celebrates 100th Banquet

The Olney Chamber of Commerce celebrated a milestone a century in the making on Thursday evening, hosting its 100th annual banquet at the Durango Rustic Retreat before one of the largest crowds in recent memory. Chamber Director Kimberly Smith and the Chamber board marked the occasion with an elegant tribute to Ol- ney’s past, placing framed photographs and newspaper articles chronicling a century of Chamber achievements at every table. Mrs. Smith said attendance was so strong this year that she had to bring in extra tables. The event was once again catered by Dos Leones of Graham, whose family-style service kept the atmosphere festive as community leaders circulated from table to table, visiting, laughing, and placing bids on silent auction items.

Assisting with service were members of the Olney High School junior class, who kept drinks filled and plates delivered as a fundraiser for their prom.

Awards Honor a Year of Service

As is tradition, the Chamber recognized individuals who made significant contributions to Olney this year.

Citizen of the Year: Summer Branum

Olney Independent School Board President Summer Branum was named Citizen of the Year, with the award presented by her longtime friend, Olney Hamilton Hospital board member Lyndsey Miller.

Mrs. Miller praised Mrs. Branum’s deep involvement in nearly every corner of Olney life—from playing in the praise and worship band at church, to serving on several boards and committees, to reinventing the Parent-Teacher Organization that purchases school supplies for local children. Mrs. Branum was also recognized for ensuring that every Olney ISD student continues to receive free breakfast and lunch despite state and federal cuts, and for launching a school fundraiser that promotes kindness alongside financial goals.

Mrs. Branum thanked her husband, Olney attorney Dan Branum.

“He works so hard so that I can volunteer,” she said. “I did not see this coming. I feel that I don’t deserve it. This community is so special—loving, kind, quirky. So many people here are precious. I love Olney.”

Pipeline Spirit Award: Dustin Hudson The Pipeline Spirit Award, which honors the ingenuity of the Olney residents who famously laid a 14-mile water pipeline in 25 hours to save the town from running out of water, was presented by Stacy Wade to restauranteur Dustin Hudson, owner of Hudson’s on Main and Hometown Coffee & Tea.

Mrs. Wade recalled the day Mr. Hudson, his wife, and their then-three children (now four) arrived in Olney.

“He walked in and wanted to join the Chamber,” she said.

Mr. Hudson thanked his family, seated together at a table near the front.

“I do not deserve this,” he said. “It has been an interesting road since we came to Olney in August of 2013. I thank you, and I thank my family, and thank Jesus.”

Volunteer of the Year: Raylee Cawthon Olney Elementary School Assistant Principal Kalynn Phillip presented the Volunteer of the Year award to 7-yearold Raylee Cawthon, “someone whose spirit embodies a volunteer.”

Raylee began decorating graves at the Restland Cemetery after the loss of her grandmother, Jan Turner. Seeing how many gravesites had no flowers or tokens of remembrance, she founded Sorrow to Sunshine by Raylee, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the forgotten.

“Sorrow is what moved our recipient,” Mrs. Phillip said. “She decorated those gravesites one by one.”

Too shy to give a speech, Raylee’s parents Malia and Ryan, accepted the award on her behalf.

Pioneer Award: Carla Perry The Pioneer Award was presented by CEMCO engineer DJ Meshkat to his grandmother, Carla Perry, president of CEMCO and longtime philanthropist through the Perry Foundation, which owns the Olney Enterprise.

Mrs. Perry said she was moved by the honor.

She credited Jesus for every blessing in her life.

“I still get out and bend a knee,” she said, drawing laughter. “The thing is getting back up.”

Business of the Year: ACE Hardware Olney American Legion Post Commander Chris Garcia presented Business of the Year to ACE Hardware, praising the store for “representing everything this community stands for—hard work, generosity, and heart.”

Co-owner Kris Camp, who operates the store with her husband Rand and brother- and sister- in-law Jeff and Holly Camp, accepted the award.

“It has been such a journey to get here, and we have been so blessed,” she said.