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Commerce to Table
T
he Pendleton Springs Wedding Venue set the
stage for this year’s Palestine Area Chamber of
Commerce Fundraising Banquet, with the theme
“Commerce to Table.”
Roughly 200 people attended, applauding the
YMCA and director Cindy Piersol, who received the
award for best non-profit. Council member, editor,
and entrepreneur Dana Goolsby took the Game
Changer award; and Mario’s Mexican Grill was named
Entrepreneur of the Year.
Citizen of the Year went to Jo Ellen Walley; Jocelyn’s
Donuts was awarded the Business of the Year.
The banquet marked Tish Shade’s, The Chamber’s new
president, debut. She started her new job just 10 days
prior to the event.
“I could not have asked for a better turnout for
my first event,” Shade said. “My team and all of our
incredible volunteers really stepped up and outdid
themselves. It was amazing to see everyone pull this
together.”
Patrons enjoyed dinner catered by Palestine Regional
Medical Center, drinks, a silent auction, and networking
with fellow Chamber members.
The event’s theme, Commerce to Table, celebrated
a social movement that promotes buying locally,
supporting other local businesses, and building local
relationships for a strong economy.
This event was the last hurrah for Chamber Chairman
Jake Mienk, Publisher of the Palestine Herald-Press, who
has headed the Chamber Board since 2017.
In a changing of the guards address, Mienk said,
“The past two years, serving as the chairman of the
Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce board has been
a wonderful experience. The business community in
Palestine really sticks together for the greater good. It
has been my pleasure serving them in this capacity.
“In the past two years, we have accomplished many
things together, including the well-received Summer
See next page for more photo highlights from the 2019-20 banquet
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