Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce officials say nextTuesday’s chamber banquet will be a chance for citizens to seewho’s been doing what, and if they’re doing it right.

The chamber’s annual awards banquet takes place Tuesday, Nov. 17at 6:30 p.m. at the Thames Center at Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege. Chamber Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield said itwill be, as usual, a night to remember.

This year, the coveted Soapbox Award, which is given to anindividual who has helped encourage and drive projects throughoutthe year, will be given, as will the Jimmy Furlow Award. Both ofthose awards are only given when there is someone who deservesthem, and not yearly, Brumfield said.

“The chamber invites all membership out for our annual meeting,and we’ll be giving many well-deserved awards as well as hearingfrom a noted speaker with a fantastic message,” Brumfield said.

Billy Hudson Jr. of Hudson’s Salvage will serve as this year’skeynote speaker, Brumfield said.

Outgoing chamber President Stan Foster will also be honored, andhis successor, Jeff Doremus, will be welcomed in. New board memberswill be installed, and numerous other chamber awards will also bepresented, he said.

“Despite a few setbacks, we’ve had some wonderful positivethings that have happened in 2009,” he said. “We want to celebratethose as we look to a brighter year in 2010.”

The Industry of the Year and Agribusiness of the Year awardswill be given, as will Educator of the Year and Ambassador of theYear, Brumfield said. There will be live entertainment and theevent will be catered by Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Brumfield said the banquet will be a chance to acknowledge thosewho have put effort into boosting commerce and industry inBrookhaven.

“Many of our members and leaders have worked to instill newprograms and have set up innovative new practices during 2009,” hesaid. “We want to work together to recognize those. This will be afast-paced, positive event, and we look forward to it.”

Tickets are available for $25 by calling the Chamber of Commerceat (601) 833-1411.