Tickets are still on sale through Dec. 5 for the O Foundation’s2008 VIP Awards Banquet, and organizers say it is sure to be asmuch of a success as last year’s.

Organizer Rose Powell said the event , which takes place Friday,Dec. 8, will be a night for guests to put on their finest andexperience some luxury, with a red carpet and a hospitality roomand a black-tie sit-down dinner. VIPs will also be given gift bagswith keepsakes from area businesses.

This year’s guest of honor is Mayor Bob Massengill.

Powell said the guest of honor is chosen based upon his or herservice to the community. Last year Brookhaven Police Chief PapHenderson was honored, and this year he will turn over the guard toMassengill, Powell said.

“The chief sold out to a packed house. Everyone loves thechief,” she said. “We’ll be doing like a changing of the guard,where the chief will turn over the guard of the city to the mayor,and we’re excited to see what he’ll do.”

Massengill, a lifelong Brookhaven resident, graduated from theUniversity of Mississippi in 1961 with a degree in business. Beforetaking on a political career, he served as president of SouthernWholesale Company, and then McLane/Southern from 1964-1987. He thenbecame president of Trustmark National Bank’s Brookhaven branch,where he served until he became an adjunct professor in 1994.

In 1999, Massengill became the vice-chairman of the Bank ofBrookhaven. He was elected to the board of aldermen in 2001, and tothe office of mayor of Brookhaven in 2004.

Massengill and his wife Carol attend Faith Presbyterian Church,where he is an elder and chairman of the Mission to the WorldCommittee. He has also served as president of theBrookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, the BrookhavenKiwanis Club and the Mississippi Wholesale Grocers Association.

He has served as chairman of the Lincoln County IndustrialDevelopment Foundation, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes StateBoard and the Brookhaven School Board as well.

The Massengills have two children and six grandchildren.

Former disc jockey, television personality, actor, professionalmusician, and college professor Clyde Ray Webber will provide thebanquet’s message for the evening. Webber is a humorist who isknown for entertaining public speaking since 1957.

Powell said he comes highly recommended by Massengill andAlderman Dorsey Cameron.

“The mayor has seen him on the coast, and thought he would be agood speaker for our event,” she said. “And Dorsey Cameron saidwhen he saw him, he was laughing out of his seat. He’s gotrecommendations from as far away as Washington DC.”

Guests may begin arriving at the banquet at 6:30 p.m. Thesit-down meal will be catered by Polly’s Restaurant, and floraldecorations will be provided by Designer Florist. Tickets areavailable through the O Foundation, or by calling Rose Powell at(601) 643-2929 or (601) 835-2268.